Continuous Improvement Manager

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com .

Summary

The Continuous Improvement Manager serves as the plant’s senior process management expert, driving site-wide cultural and operational transformation. This critical leadership role is responsible for executing strategy deployment, leading comprehensive change management initiatives, and institutionalizing structured problem-solving. The position directly manages three key functional areas—the Quality Lab team , the Continuous Improvement team , and the Raw Material team —while actively fostering the next generation of talent through the mentorship of Engineering Development Programs (EDPs) and interns.

1. Strategic Leadership & Strategy Deployment

• •Align Plant Operations: Operationalize corporate objectives at the plant level using strategy deployment methodologies (e.g., Hoshin Kanri).
• •Roadmap Development: Establish, execute, and sustain a comprehensive, multi-year plant continuous improvement roadmap aligned with business priorities.
• •Cross-Functional Synergy: Act as the plant's senior process management expert, advising the plant leadership team on operational efficiency, resource allocation, and organizational design.

2. Team Leadership & People Management

Directly lead, develop, and manage performance for three critical plant departments:

• •Continuous Improvement Team: Oversee Lean Engineers/Specialists executing Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), A3’s, and problem solving.
• •Quality Lab Team: Partner with quality leaders to ensure rigorous testing, strict compliance, and the integration of Built-In-Quality (BIQ) principles.
• •Raw Material Team: Guide the team in optimizing raw material variability, reducing raw material waste, streamlining inbound supply chains and ensuring environmental compliance

3. Change Management & Continuous Improvement

• •Culture Transformation: Serve as the primary change agent for the facility, driving a culture of sustainable continuous improvement.
• •Methodology Deployment: Train, coach, and audit teams on problem solving and continuous improvement tools, including Kanban, Standard Work, and visual management.
• •Financial Impact: Identify, prioritize, and execute cost-reduction projects that deliver measurable financial and operational outcomes.

4. Structured Problem Solving

• •Root Cause Analysis: Lead cross-functional teams through complex, high-stakes structured problem-solving initiatives using DMAIC, A3, and 8D methodologies.
• •KPI Management: Establish and monitor plant-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to proactively flag variations and implement preventative actions.

5. Talent Development & Mentorship

• •EDP Coaching: Formally mentor participants in the Engineering Development Program (EDP), guiding their technical projects and rotational growth.
• •Internship Program: Oversee the plant's operational internship program, ensuring meaningful project exposure and a robust pipeline for future talent.