What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuous Improvement Manager position at Five Star Holding?
Company Description
Five Star Holding, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an integrated group of companies specializing in flexible packaging and sustainability solutions. With expertise spanning extrusion, printing, converting, and recycling operations, our companies include StarPak, Polytex, Superbag, Fresh-Pak, and Anduro. We deliver innovative solutions across various industries, from consumer-packaged goods and industrial products to retail and recycling. Our vertically integrated approach allows us to efficiently produce high-quality, environmentally friendly products tailored to meet specific customer needs. Operating with a commitment to sustainability, we are leaders in creating advanced, eco-conscious packaging and material solutions.
Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site role based in Houston, TX, for a Continuous Improvement Manager. The Continuous Improvement Manager leads the development, execution, and financial impact of companywide CI initiatives. The role is accountable for identifying and delivering measurable cost savings, building strong project pipelines, and ensuring consistent follow-up and completion of all CI activities. This position manages and trains a team of process engineers to raise technical capability, strengthen problem-solving skills, and support plant-level improvement work. The CI Manager collaborates closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and engineering to surface opportunities, remove obstacles, and align CI efforts with company priorities.
- Lead the creation, planning, and launch of new CI projects focused on measurable cost savings, waste reduction, productivity gains, and process stability.
- Own the full savings lifecycle: opportunity identification, business case development, project execution, validation of financial impact, and reporting.
- Ensure consistent follow-up on all CI projects to maintain progress, resolve roadblocks, and drive on-time completion.
- Manage, train, and mentor process engineers to strengthen technical capability, problem-solving, Lean/Six Sigma skills, and discipline in project execution.
- Support plants in maintaining 5S discipline, provide guidance as needed.
- Develop and maintain CI dashboards, tracking mechanisms, KPIs, and documentation for savings and project status.
- Provide regular project reviews, results summaries, and savings
- Facilitate RCA, Kaizen, and process optimization workshops; coach teams on structured problem-solving methods.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, supply chain, and quality to prioritize improvement opportunities and remove execution barriers.
- Support the creation of SOPs, training tools, and best practices that emerge from completed projects.
- Promote a disciplined, data-driven culture focused on safety, stability, and continuous improvement across all departments.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or process improvement, including at least 2 years in a leadership or project-driving role.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required; Master Black Belt preferred.
- Demonstrated success delivering validated cost savings through structured CI projects.
- Experience leading or coaching process engineers or technical teams.
- Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills.
- Ability to coach, challenge assumptions, and guide teams through structured improvement methods.