Continuous Improvement Lead
Role Overview
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead is responsible for driving operational excellence across the Operations function by leading strategic improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and delivering measurable business impact. This role partners closely with Operations leadership to improve productivity, quality, and cost performance while enabling scalable and sustainable processes. This role is critical to achieving operational excellence, improving financial performance, and building scalable growth foundations through disciplined CI practice.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Positional Summary
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead is responsible for driving operational excellence across the Operations function by leading strategic improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and delivering measurable business impact. This role partners closely with Operations leadership to improve productivity, quality, and cost performance while enabling scalable and sustainable processes. This role is critical to achieving operational excellence, improving financial performance, and building scalable growth foundations through disciplined CI practice.
Strategic Improvement Leadership
Identify and lead high-impact CI initiatives.
Develop CI roadmap aligned to business priorities.
Operational Excellence Execution
Lead Lean / Six Sigma initiatives.
Facilitate root cause analysis and process optimization.
Performance Management & Analytics
Establish KPIs and track performance.
Ensure sustainability of improvements.
Change Management & Adoption
Drive adoption of new processes.
Communicate progress to leadership.
Capability Building
Train and coach teams on CI methodologies.
Build internal CI capability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field.
- Certification: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred.
- 5 – 8+ years in operations or continuous improvement roles.
Core Competencies
Strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, data-driven decision making, leadership and influence, change management, communication, and results orientation, process optimization, continual learning mindset.
Key Performance Indicators
Cycle time reduction, productivity gains, cost savings, defect reduction, on-time delivery improvement, and process standardization adoption.
Responsibility for Quality Procedures or Direct Product Quality
- Adheres to Universal Quality System policies, procedures, uses Total Cycle Time principles, and standard problem solving tools to improve work processes.
Physical Demands
Requires the ability to use a computer on a frequent basis.
Requires the ability to communicate clearly with colleagues and in giving presentations.
Ability to travel to sister site in Rochester up to 25% of the time; Project dependent.
Universal Instruments is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled employer
Target Annual Base Salary: $85,000 - $100,000 + Robust Benefits
Rewards Package
Competitive Compensation, Bonus Strategies, 401k Retirement Contribution Matching, Health Savings Options with Monthly Company Contributions and Investment Capability, Flexible Spending Options, Objective Merits, and Relocation Assistance.
Career Development
Relevant Tuition, Upskilling, and Certification Reimbursement, Mentorship, Educational Institution Relations, Career Pathing.
Work/Life Balance
Competitive Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and Wellness Hours.
Health & Wellbeing
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and Other Supplemental Coverage Options.
Company Culture
Professional and Respectful Work Environment Driven by Our “6-C’s” Core Values: Customer-Centric, Collaboration, Creativity, Character, Courage, and Community.
About Universal Instruments Corporation
Private U.S. manufacturer of precision automation and electronics assembly equipment for semiconductor and electronics producers.
Visit company websiteJobs and hiring trendsApply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career