Continuous Improvement Specialist; Night Shift

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our team and drive operational excellence across our manufacturing organization.

• Coach and develop line operations leaders from operators to general managers, fostering leadership culture and behavior changes.
• Support full‑time hourly CI coaches across shifts, ensuring consistency and growth in HPC, daily management system, and change management capabilities.
• Facilitate daily Gemba walks, developing a highly effective Daily Management process focused on visual control, flow creation, defect reduction, adherence to standard work, and rigorous problem solving.
• Collaborate with the entire value stream organization (salary and hourly) to cultivate a culture centered on customer value and continuous improvement.
• Develop value stream maps that set future state targets and eliminate non‑value‑added waste in product, material, and information flow.
• Partner with leadership and support teams to define and educate the workforce on a lean transformation plan of A3s and JDI’s.
• Work with the site training department/HR to design and deliver programs teaching lean manufacturing tools and concepts such as problem solving, A3 management, Kaizen, and visual management.
• Ensure rigor around pre‑work, post‑work, and rapid improvement events.
• Maintain compliance with standard processes and tools, support the development of personal leader standard work, and promote process discipline around standard work.
• Act as a change agent, leading plant Rapid Improvement Events (RIEs) and facilitating cross‑functional teams to identify and eliminate waste.
• Provide specific Lean Manufacturing training, follow up on RIE action plans, and coach employees on lean tools.
• Become an expert on key lean tools, including when to apply them, and communicate Lean progress organization‑wide.
• Support visual management system implementation and ensure strong hand‑offs to area owners.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s Degree and relevant experience preferred.

• Minimum 2+ years of continuous improvement manufacturing experience.
• Strong technical background in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Solid background in Process Development & Process Improvement.
• Ability to work effectively at all organizational levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation communication skills.
• Influence change without direct authority.
• Experience with high performance culture training (internal candidates).
• Dynamic facilitation and training skills.
• Ability to convey complex concepts simply and clearly.
• Experience coaching and mentoring.
• Working‑level knowledge of English (reading, writing, speaking).

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
• Alignment with Panasonic’s seven core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation, ongoing improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude).

Time spent during a normal workday:

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Lifting and carrying requirements:

• Up to 10 lbs.:
  Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.:
  Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.:
  Occasional
• Team‑lift over 35 lbs.:
  Not required

• Health benefits (medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, HSA, FSA).
• Voluntary benefit options (life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, pet insurance).
• 401(k) plan with company matching and immediate vesting.
• Paid time off: vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Tuition reimbursement after six months of service.
• Well‑being programs (Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health, chronic condition support).
• Employee recognition platform and annual bonus opportunity.
• On‑site food options and free shuttle service.

De Soto, Kansas – onsite role.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.