Continuous Improvement Manager

Waters · Golden, CO

Level: Manager
Team: Lean / CI
Travel: 25%
Degree: Preferred
Experience asked: 5+ years
Certification: Black Belt preferred
Industry: Pharma & life sciences
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A management continuous improvement role at Waters (pharma & life sciences) in Golden, CO. Additionally, they will provide coaching, counseling and development of associates.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree preferred · Black Belt preferred
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, 5S, Minitab
Day to day: about 25% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

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

Continuous Improvement roles in Colorado: typical posted base $130k–$156k.

Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 10 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 9 other live lean / ci postings in Colorado.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Lean 100%
Value stream mapping 80%
✓ Six Sigma 40%
✓ 5S 40%
Root cause 40%
Kaizen 30%

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

It asks for 5+ 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 Waters
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 25% travel. Between which sites?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
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 WatersAs posted on their careers site.Show

responsibilities

include Lean training sessions and developing Continuous Improvement reporting metrics, working with and supporting functional Six Sigma & Lean Continuous Improvement leaders to identify and generate solutions to eliminate barriers to process improvement, and assisting in driving quality awareness and improving communication to the organization regarding quality efforts. The CI Manager will be responsible for ongoing development, execution, and maintenance of Corporate Six Sigma & Lean Continuous Improvement policies and practices as well as overseeing the certification and guidance of Lean Leaders, Six Sigma Master Black Belts, Black Belts and Greenbelts.

Responsibilities

◆Manage Corporate Six Sigma Program policies and practices
◆Provide expert coaching on the full range of Six Sigma tools and methods (process improvement, design for Six Sigma and process management). Provide technical (quality tool) and change management expertise to the organization Lead BB & MBB certification
◆Facilitate Lean and Six Sigma training waves
◆Lead the Cost of Quality Initiative for the site
◆Work with Business Leadership to identify and prioritize process improvement opportunities
◆Provide Business Leadership with support, tools, and training to conduct meaningful project reviews
◆Drive adoption of best practices developed by CI Teams across regional and functional area(s)
◆Willingness to travel 10 - 25%

Requirements

Education: BS Degree. Master’s Degree with emphasis in Business preferred.

Experience

Certified in Six Sigma or Lean with a minimum of 5 years experience in areas of Six Sigma, Lean, DFSS, and consulting. MBB desired. Team leadership experience and proven talent as a change leader.

Show full description ↓

Overview

The Continuous Improvement Manager will provide technical and business support to the overall deployment of Continuous Improvement initiatives at the plant. The CI Manager will be responsible for assisting the leadership team in project selection and establishment of dashboard metrics. Additionally, they will provide coaching, counseling and development of associates. Other

Job Description

•Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and coach Leaders, Six Sigma certified associates, and Champions
•Demonstrated project management excellence; track record of results.
•Strategic Business Sense
•Excellent team facilitation/leadership skills. Teamwork/collaborative style.
•Excellent verbal, written communication, and presentation skills
•Ability to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple/detail-oriented tasks
•Proficiency with key PC software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Minitab)

Knowledge and Skills

•Structured analytical and problem solving techniques
•Working knowledge of cGMPs and ISO
•Strong interpersonal skills including communication, facilitation, consulting, coaching, and influencing
•Knowledgeable in evolving Lean Six Sigma concepts and tools and actively connected to latest Continuous Improvement industry trends
•Ability to work effectively with Senior Management

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

Key Words

Six Sigma, Leam, 5S, DFSS, MBB, cGMPs, ISO