Senior Continuous Improvement Champion - Wood Plant

Job Overview

As a Sr. Continuous Improvement Champion, you will play a pivotal role in driving meaningful change where it matters most—on the shop floor. This is a highly fulfilling and impactful position where you’ll partner directly with frontline team members, listening, coaching, and empowering them to solve problems at the source. By building strong relationships and fostering trust, you’ll help create a culture where continuous improvement is embraced, ideas are valued, and every employee feels ownership in making the work better, safer, and more efficient.

In this role, you’ll also be designing and optimizing complex, mixed-model value streams and implementing sustainable Lean systems. From mapping current processes to leading future-state transformation, you’ll influence how work flows across the wood value streams. You’ll bring Lean principles to life through standard work, visual management, and problem-solving practices that deliver lasting results. If you’re passionate about developing people, improving culture, and making a tangible difference in performance, this role offers a powerful opportunity to grow while leaving a lasting impact.

Job Responsibilities

• Analyze process and/or system data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement while working collaboratively with cross functional teams.


• Lead and manage complex process and/or system improvement projects, overseeing all aspects from planning to execution. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to execute.


• Develop and implement process and/or system improvement strategies to support business objectives and drive operational excellence.


• Mentor and develop junior process improvement professionals.


• Serve as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and support to other departments on process and/or system improvement methodologies and tools.


• Conduct process and/or system audits to assess compliance with standards and identify areas for improvement while working collaboratively with cross functional teams.


• Stay informed about industry trends, share best practices, and emerging technologies in process and/or system improvement.


• Must be able to perform all essential job functions with/without accommodation.


• Uses office automation, communication, software, and tools used in Haworth office environment.


• Performs other duties within scope as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business or similar relevant field of study


• Education Equivalency: Associate's Degree plus 2 years related experience OR 4 years related experience if no post-secondary education


• Work Experience: 5 years engineering, operations leadership, or in continuous improvement experience with Bachelor’s Degree OR 3 years with Master’s Degree


• Applicants must be able to work in Holland, MI without relocation assistance.


• Applicants must possess an unrestricted right to work in the US to be eligible for this position.

For candidates with Military experience see Military Equivalency at www.mynextmove.org/vets/find/military

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing value streams and leading value stream mapping and transformation initiatives.


• Experience balancing workloads, managing machine capacity, and implementing Lean manufacturing systems such as pull systems, Kanban, and Heijunka.


• Knowledge of Toyota Production System (TPS), Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence principles.


• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and drive sustainable results.


• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to influence, collaborate, and lead change across teams.


• Experience participating in Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Experience in operations, engineering, planning, materials, or logistics environments.


• Ability to coach and develop problem-solving skills in others.


• Strong change management and team facilitation skills.


• Demonstrated ability to build trust and influence across teams.


• Experience optimizing complex manufacturing or mixed-model value streams.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.