Project Manager, Continuous Improvement

** This role is onsite in Austin TX and requires up to 15% travel (domestic and international).\n\nRequires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in project management and continuous improvement. Interprets internal business and operational challenges and recommends best-practice, data-driven solutions. Solves complex and ambiguous problems by taking a systems-level view across people, process, and technology. Operates independently with limited guidance in the most complex situations. May lead cross-functional teams, projects, and continuous improvement initiatives\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\n\u2022 Prepare and manage end-to-end project plans from initiation through implementation, ensuring delivery of scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives.\n\n\u2022 Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving operational efficiency, quality, cycle time, cost, and compliance across business processes.\n\n\u2022 Develop and maintain process maps, value stream maps, KPIs, and CI roadmaps to identify gaps, waste, and improvement opportunities.\n\n\u2022 Drive project and CI deliverables through structured execution using reports, dashboards, tracking charts, checklists, and standard work.\n\n\u2022 Align cross-functional resources (operations, logistics, trade, IT, manufacturing, finance, etc.) to achieve project outcomes and sustain process improvements.\n\n\u2022 Monitor and report project performance, benefits realization, and continuous improvement impacts (e.g., cost savings, productivity gains, risk reduction).\n\n\u2022 Participate in and lead intra\u2013business unit design and improvement teams, contributing to operational and technical maturity of processes.\n\n\u2022 Perform root cause analysis (e.g., A3, RCA, 5 Whys, Fishbone) to resolve project obstacles and systemic issues; implement corrective and preventive actions.\n\n\u2022 Support standardization efforts by documenting processes, creating playbooks, and driving adoption of best practices across teams and sites.\n\nFunctional Knowledge\n\n\u2022 Demonstrates strong conceptual and practical expertise in project management and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PDCA).\n\n\u2022 Working knowledge of related disciplines such as operations, supply chain/logistics, manufacturing, compliance, or enterprise systems.\n\nBusiness Expertise\n\n\u2022 Applies industry and internal best practices to improve business outcomes; understands how process efficiency, quality, and compliance impact business performance.\n\n\u2022 Understands competitive and operational drivers and how continuous improvement differentiates performance.\n\nLeadership\n\n\u2022 Acts as a subject-matter resource for colleagues with less experience in project execution and process improvement.\n\n\u2022 May lead small-to-medium projects and improvement initiatives with manageable risk, scope, and resources.\n\n\u2022 Influences without authority by driving alignment and accountability across cross-functional stakeholders.\n\nProblem Solving\n\n\u2022 Solves complex problems using structured, data-driven approaches.\n\n\u2022 Challenges existing processes and proposes innovative, scalable solutions that improve long-term performance.\n\nImpact\n\n\u2022 Impacts a range of operational, customer, project, and service activities within own team and across related teams through measurable continuous improvement outcomes.\n\n\u2022 Operates within broad policies while helping define better ways of working.\n\nInterpersonal Skills\n\n\u2022 Communicates complex or sensitive information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.\n\n\u2022 Builds consensus, drives change adoption, and supports change management as part of continuous improvement efforts.\n\nWork Experience\n\n\u2022 4\u20137 years of experience in project management, operations, or supply chain roles, with demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement or process optimization initiatives.\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\n\n\u2022 Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt\n\n\u2022 Experience in manufacturing, logistics, global trade, or regulated environments\n\nDemonstrated benefits realization (cost, cycle time, quality, compliance)\n\n## Qualifications\n\n### Education:\n\nBachelor\u0027s Degree\n\n### Skills\n\n### Certifications:\n\n### Languages:\n\n### Years of Experience:\n\n4 - 7 Years\n\n### Work Experience:\n\n## Additional Information\n\n### \n\n### Shift:\n\n10-Day 8-Hr (United States of America)\n\n### \n\n### Travel:\n\nYes, 20% of the Time\n\n### \n\n### Relocation Eligible:\n\nYes\n\n### Referral Payment Plan:\n\nEmployee Referral (Standard)\n\nU.S. Salary Range:\n\n$96,000.00 - $132,000.00\n\nThe salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable. \n\nFor all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.\n\nApplied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. \n