CI Specialist

About Akzo Nobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world‑class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life.

Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long‑established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

The Continuous Improvement Specialist I is responsible for championing, developing, and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement across all areas of the site, with a strong emphasis on manufacturing and operations. This role plays a critical part in improving site performance by applying structured continuous improvement methodologies and driving measurable results across key performance indicators including safety, on‑time‑in‑full delivery, cost, material efficiency, quality, and inventory management
. As an agent of change, the Continuous Improvement Specialist I supports the deployment of Akzo Nobel Leading Performance Systems
, while promoting Lean and Six Sigma thinking throughout the organization. This role partners closely with site leadership, operations teams, and the broader Akzo Nobel continuous improvement community to build capability, embed best practices, and create a sustainable mindset of operational excellence.

• Deploy and sustain the Akzo Nobel Leading Performance Systems manufacturing program, providing active, hands‑on coaching on the shop floor to drive continuous improvement initiatives and ensure long‑term sustainability of improvements.
• Act as a visible role model for Lean and Six Sigma behaviours, problem‑solving, and decision‑making practices.

• Support and challenge the workforce and site leadership team in setting direction, prioritising initiatives, and allocating resources to achieve site improvement plan targets.
• Lead and support the planning, sequencing, and execution of improvement activities aligned with yearly performance goals.
• Review the Akzo Nobel Lean Performance Systems operating framework—including goals, key performance indicators, operating processes, and people systems—to ensure alignment with corporate and business area requirements.
• Identify performance gaps and partner with site leadership to define and implement corrective actions.

• Lead or support the local implementation of Akzo Nobel Leading Performance Systems, ensuring full adoption and practical, day‑to‑day application.
• Build local continuous improvement capabilities and mindset across functions.
• Actively network within the Akzo Nobel continuous improvement community to share insights, challenges, and best practices, while encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing across sites.

This role operates under the direction of the Continuous Improvement Manager while working independently and proactively to support site performance related to quality, cost, delivery, health, safety, environmental performance, and people development
. The role analyzes data, interprets trends, and makes recommendations to improve operational outcomes.

• One to three years of relevant experience in areas such as operations, production, maintenance, logistics, process engineering, or continuous improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in a technical, business, or engineering‑related field.
• Demonstrated experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Total Productive Maintenance.
• Experience coaching and influencing others at multiple organisational levels.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience implementing change programmes in an operational environment is a plus.