CI Engineer

SUMMARY

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer is responsible for driving operational excellence and process improvement initiatives across the Waupun manufacturing facility. This role supports plant leadership and cross‑functional teams in identifying inefficiencies, reducing waste, improving product flow, and increasing overall productivity using Lean Manufacturing principles.

• Lead, support and facilitate Continuous Improvement projects, cost reductions, and process performance improvements aligned with plant goals and business priorities
• Maintain CI implementation schedules for assigned projects, provide progress updates, and document the direct link between CI implementation and Plant Operations improvements
• Provide CI training and coaching at all levels of the plant
• Participate in and lead teams aimed at the resolution of quality issues and concerns
• Support production control, material control, material planning departments in improvement projects related to scheduling, inventory management, and raw material flow and tracking
• Partner with operations, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify and eliminate waste through process analysis and Lean tools (Kaizen, 5S, VSM, SMED, Standard Work, etc.)
• Provide engineering support on projects addressing staffing, manpower, time, and capacity analysis
• Generate, provide, and participate in department‑specific training needs
• Calculate cost reductions and determine the optimal problem‑solving method
• Team with the Plant Controller to document savings and profit results of continuous improvement activities
• Accountable for tracking CI projects and reporting progress to plant staff
• Conduct time studies, root cause analyses, and process audits to recommend and implement process enhancements
• Assist in monitoring department equipment (OEE) and interface with the Maintenance department to identify maintenance, repair, and TPM
• Work with process owner to develop value stream maps for each process and each value stream family within the facility
• Utilize the concepts of continuous improvement and cost reduction in the execution of the job function
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and Rapid Improvement Workshops (RIWs)
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee involvement
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Attendance is required
• Other tasks as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent work experience
• 3+ years of experience in Operations
• Experience in identifying areas of improvement
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement or Process Improvement
• Green Belt certification or better
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Strong understanding of contemporary problem‑solving tools and techniques
• Ability to think creatively and proactively propose solutions with an attention to detail
• Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database management software
• Knowledge of data analysis
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar software
• Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and drive change management across teams
• Ability to build effective working relationships throughout the organization
• Ability to operate independently within a tight deadline environment
• High‑energy self‑starter with a resilient, can‑do attitude

Ability to read, interpret, and write English. Ability to understand safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees. Ability to read and interpret documents such as blueprints.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions,…