DBSL Operations (Continuous Improvement Leader)

Danaher · Boulder, CO

Level: Manager
Team: Lean / CI
Base pay: $125k–$170k
Travel: 50%
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 7+ years
Industry: Pharma & life sciences
Posted: Today

The role in 30 seconds

A management continuous improvement role at Danaher (pharma & life sciences) in Boulder, CO. In this role, you will have the opportunity to.

They ask for: 7+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value stream mapping, TPM
Base pay: $125k–$170k
Day to day: about 50% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Continuous Improvement roles in Colorado: typical posted base $130k–$170k. This one lists $125k–$170k.

Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 11 continuous improvement openings in Colorado, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Colorado plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 10 other live lean / ci postings in Colorado.

Base pay: In line with similar roles
Experience asked: More than usual (7+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Lean 100%
✓ Value stream mapping 82%
✓ Six Sigma 45%
✓ Kaizen 36%
5S 36%
Root cause 36%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 7+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Overnight travel

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Danaher
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting says about 50% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Danaher in Boulder

1 other open role at this site.

Process Engineer II · Process

Full description from DanaherAs posted on their careers site.Show

In this role, you will have the opportunity to

◆Partner with site leadership at assigned facilities to continually assess DBS maturity identify gaps, and coach leaders and teams on DBS principles, tools, and problem solving to reinforce accountability and the leadership behaviors that build trust and engagement.
◆Elevate the site’s daily management system by strengthening visual management, leader standard work, and accountability routines, while coaching leaders to use DBS rigor to drive accountability in ways that build trust, strengthen engagement, and sustain improvement.
◆Coordinate high impact Kaizen events and site level improvement initiatives while enabling the Site Operations teams to grow and lead individual Kaizens independently.
◆Influence and challenge leaders appropriately to ensure improvement commitments are clear, measurable, and followed through sustainment periods as applicable.
◆Connect the sites to broader IDT/Aldevron and Danaher DBS resources, best practices, and peer networks to accelerate learning and impact.

The essential

Requirements

✓Ability to travel 25-50% including overnight stays within the USA
✓Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
✓Ability to lift, move or carry equipment/materials up to 25lb, in support of training and workshops.
✓Ability to work in a laboratory/manufacturing environment, including standing/walking for extended periods

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in

✓Demonstrated knowledge of DBS Fundamentals, holding a CP (Certified Practitioner) or ACP (Advanced Certified Practitioner) in VSM (Value Stream Map), TPI (Transactional Process Improvement), PSP (Problem Solving Process), Daily Management
✓Experience leading or facilitating Kaizens using Advanced Lean tools such as IMAG (Inventory Management at Gemba), TPM (Total Productive Manufacturing) and VRK (Variation Reduction Kaizen)
✓Experience in biotechnology, life sciences, pharmaceutical, medical device, or other regulated manufacturing environments.

IDT, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info .

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

Join our winning team

Show full description ↓

Bring more to life.

Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

At Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.

You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.

Our team at Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), is united by a commitment to collaboration and scientific excellence, building on a strong foundation of innovation, expertise, and reliability. Guided by our vision to help researchers rapidly move from the lab to life-changing advances, we work closely with global partners to accelerate progress and genomics breakthroughs across fields like cancer, infectious disease, rare genetic disorders, and more. At IDT, you’ll be part of a culture rooted in continuous learning and improvement—where your growth fuels our mission to accelerate the pace of genomics and helps shape a healthier, brighter future for all.

Learn about the Danaher Business Syste m which makes everything possible.

The Danaher Business System Leader – Operations is responsible for leading the deployment and maturation of the Danaher Business System (DBS) Fundamental and Lean Tools across the Boulder, CO and California Manufacturing sites, partnering with Site and Functional Leaders to ensure alignment with business priorities and operational readiness.

This position reports to the Director, DBS Operations, is part of the IDT DBS team, and will be an on-site role in Boulder, CO.

of the job include

•Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, or related scientific or technical discipline and 7+ years of work experience in operations, supply chain, and/or logistics. Minimum of two years of experience applying continuous / process improvement methodologies such as DBS, Lean or Six Sigma in complex manufacturing environments.
•Demonstrated success coaching leaders and cross-functional teams to strengthen operating rigor, drive accountability, and align competing priorities to critical business outcomes.
•Exceptional facilitation, influence, and change leadership skills, with credibility to challenge and guide leaders across functions and levels.
•Demonstrated success in cross-functional teams with ability to work and execute across boundaries and matrices
•Strong business judgment and proven ability to translate enterprise and site needs into clear improvement priorities, measurable outcomes, and disciplined execution.

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment