Continuous Improvement Lead

Eaton Lakeside

At Eaton’s Lakeside facility, we don’t just manufacture components—we engineer precision. As a global leader in conveyance systems for the aerospace and defense industry, our site delivers mission-critical hoses, couplings, ducting, and sealing solutions that power some of the world’s most advanced aircraft. This is where innovation meets reliability, and where every product plays a role in keeping fleets airborne and operations secure. 

What you’ll do:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) is responsible for driving operational excellence through the deployment of the Eaton Continuous Improvement System (ECIS), aligning improvement strategies with plant objectives, and embedding a sustainable CI culture. This role focuses on building organizational capability by developing CI Tool Champions, delivering training, and coaching leadership and cross-functional teams in Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies. The position leads the implementation of the Continuous Improvement Framework (CIF), facilitates Kaizen and Six Sigma projects, and ensures effective use of metrics, assessments, and governance processes to sustain improvements. Additionally, the role supports cost-out initiatives, manages performance tracking, promotes employee engagement, and integrates Eaton values and best practices into daily operations to achieve measurable business results.    

• CI Strategy & Deployment
• Coordinate and execute ECIS strategy to support plant objectives and improvement plans.
• Lead deployment of the Continuous Improvement Framework (CIF) including: Visual controls, Process standardization, Leader standard work, Gemba walks, Manning strategy, Daily accountability, Process checks, 5S+
• Facilitate strategy deployment events and cadence meetings. 
• Lead CI Councils to drive alignment and execution.
• Capability Building & Training
• Build organizational ECIS capability through training, coaching, and consulting support. 
• Develop local CI Tool Champions across the site. Act as an instructor, coach and mentor for: ECIS tools, Lean training and certification, Six Sigma (including Black Belt certification), CI training for frontline leaders, engineers and technicians. 
• Coach and challenge site leadership teams in the application of ECIS methodologies. 
• Support integration of: Continuous Improvement Framework (CIF), High Performance Work Teams (HPWT), Kaizen / Rapid Improvement Events,  Lean Six Sigma and certification programs. 
• Mentor cross-functional teams (Operations, Quality, SCM, MESH) in Root cause analysis (A3, 8D) and Problem-solving methodologies.
• CI Execution & Continuous Improvement Activities
• Plan, facilitate, and support improvement events including: Rapid Improvement Events (RIE), Kaizen events, Business Process Improvement (BPI), Integrated Deck Building (IDB), 3P, VSM, EBS Pull, 4DX (4
• Disciplines of Execution) to reduce non-value-added activities, 5S+
• Lead A3, Six Sigma projects to achieve targeted results. Direct problem-solving activities and coordinate corrective action plans.
• Governance, Communication & Sustainability
• Sustain achieved improvements through follow-up reviews and capability development. 
• Implement and track ECIS deployment metrics and OpA self-assessment requirements. Ensure completion of annual assessments (ECIS, Operational Assessments), including: Gap analysis, Action planning, Progress monitoring. 
• Provide regular status updates to senior leadership. Participate in performance reviews and highlight improvement opportunities.
• Cost-Out & Business Impact
• Support achievement of plant cost-out goals aligned with the Profit Plan. Manage and maintain cost-out hopper and improvement pipeline. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to deliver measurable savings.
• Change Management & Culture
• Utilize change management methodologies (e.g., ADKAR) to drive and sustain improvements. Promote continuous improvement culture and employee engagement. Ensure Eaton values and philosophies are embedded in daily operations.
• Best Practices & Standardization
• Implement Eaton best practices and drive internal standardization. Ensure successful practices are integrated and replicated across the organization.  
      

Qualifications:

• BSC, MSC, Industrial Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
  3+ Years

Skills:

• Six sigma green/black belt certification is preferred
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques – i.e. Value stream mapping, One piece flow, Set up reduction, Visual controls, Process standardization, Leader standard work, Gemba walks, Daily accountability, Process checks.  
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a Manufacturing Environment.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence.
• Strong interpersonal and planning skills with proven ability to lead change through both direct and indirect (influencing) abilities
• Can effectively and comfortably speak to different levels of the organization; 
• Understanding of problem solving methodologies used in determining root cause and formulating corrective action(s) - i.e. thought maps, 8D, root cause analysis, Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis, control charts, Pareto charts, etc.    
• Proficiency in Office 365,
• Knowledge of industry and customer specific quality processes      
• Proficiency in MiniTab; knowledge of Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacturing.        
• Knowledge of Six Sigma concepts and tools as they relate to minimizing process / product variability – i.e. regression analysis, hypothesis testing, etc.    
• Knowledge of ECIS and EQS Tools
• Coaching, mentor, learner, teacher