Process Engineer - Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement

Nortekhvac · Montgomery, AL

Level: Engineer
Team: Lean / CI
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Nortekhvac (industrial) in Montgomery, AL. Implement/coach the use of the plant’s visual management boards, Management for Daily Improvements (MDI) boards and other visual management tools.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, Time studies

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Continuous Improvement roles in the US: typical posted base $105k–$151k.

Median of the low and high ends of 126 live postings that list pay, out of 314 continuous improvement openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

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

How this role compares

Against 9 other live lean / ci postings in Alabama.

Experience asked: Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Lean 90%
✓ Value stream mapping 80%
✓ Six Sigma 60%
Root cause 60%
✓ 5S 50%
Team leadership 50%

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

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

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 Nortekhvac
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?
- 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.

Full description from NortekhvacAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Support Kaizen events comprised of multi-functional team members
◆Implement/coach the use of the plant’s visual management boards, Management for Daily Improvements (MDI) boards and other visual management tools
◆Audit MDI visual management boards weekly according to the standard
◆Lead execution and coaching of visual workplace through 5S process (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain) across all work areas in value stream
◆Conduct cycle times, time studies, and line balance for improvements
◆Work with site personnel to identify, address, and eliminate process related obstacles through basic problem-solving techniques
◆Assist in the change of systems and processes in support of RPS initiatives
◆Participate in or co-facilitate Continuous Improvement projects and JDI’s (“just do-it’s”)
◆Provide necessary training specific to RPS tools and methodology (under the guidance of the OpEx Manager).
◆Assist in updating and maintaining visual performance tools, including Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 (MDI) boards, and Mission Control Board
◆Follow up on action plans, working with the management team and tracking to closure
◆Assist teams as needed to ensure improvements are made and sustained
◆Assist in the creation and implementation of standard work, and teach/coach line leaders accordingly
◆Drive culture change through coaching of employees and leaders in following the principles and practices of RPS

Qualifications

✓Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing or a combination of education and/or equivalent and/or transferrable experience in a manufacturing operations environment may be considered.
✓0-3 years of experience implementing lean practices within a manufacturing environment.
✓Experience applying lean manufacturing principles to production processes such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream mapping to eliminate waste and optimize work results
✓Basic knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality controls, costs, and other elements associated with an effective manufacturing system.
✓Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability coordinate projects and work successfully with cross functional teams

Show full description ↓

Process Engineer - Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement

Montgomery, AL, United States and 1 more

Job Description

The Process Engineer – Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement, under the direction of the OpEx Manager, is responsible for helping drive continuous improvement in overall operations through the implementation of RPS tools and daily management initiatives for Rheem’s Montgomery Manufacturing Plant.

This position will serve our Water Heater Division, located in Montgomery, AL .

How stand out

•Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certification or previous experience
•Previous experience leading continuous improvement projects

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