Lean Six Sigma Manager

Job Title: Lean Six Sigma Manager

Location: Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Type: Full Time

Our Client is Looking an experienced Lean Six Sigma Manager to lead operational excellence initiatives, drive continuous improvement programs, and foster a sustainable Lean culture across manufacturing operations. This role partners closely with site leadership, regional Lean teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to improve productivity, quality, cost performance, and employee engagement through Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Lean Six Sigma Strategy & Deployment

• Partner with the Regional Lean Manager to implement and sustain the site’s Lean Six Sigma vision, strategy, and culture
• Align Lean initiatives with business objectives, operational goals, and organizational priorities
• Advise site leadership on project selection, prioritization, resource allocation, and continuous improvement strategies
• Drive operational excellence initiatives that improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction

Continuous Improvement Leadership

• Lead and champion Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma programs across the site
• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities through process optimization and waste elimination
• Support operational teams in resolving performance bottlenecks and improving business processes
• Drive measurable improvements in operational effectiveness and financial performance

Culture Building & Change Management

• Act as a mentor, coach, and change agent to embed Lean principles into daily operations
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, employee engagement, and problem-solving
• Promote teamwork, accountability, innovation, and knowledge sharing
• Lead by example in demonstrating Lean thinking, respect for people, and continuous learning

Training & Capability Development

• Develop Lean capabilities across the organization through:
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• Training programs
• Skill assessments
• Cross-functional development initiatives
• Identify and cultivate future Lean leaders and site improvement champions
• Support development of sustainable improvement practices and long-term capability building

Project Management & Execution

• Lead cross-functional Lean Six Sigma projects from identification through implementation
• Facilitate Kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and root cause investigations
• Apply structured problem-solving and data-driven decision-making methodologies
• Ensure projects achieve targeted business outcomes and financial benefits

Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Develop and monitor key continuous improvement metrics and KPIs
• Maintain integrity of Lean performance data and reporting systems
• Track project benefits, savings, and operational improvements
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to site and regional leadership teams

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with:
• Operations
• Engineering
• Quality
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Manufacturing Leadership
• Align Lean initiatives with organizational goals and business priorities
• Support integration of project results into financial and operational planning processes

Program Sustainability

• Establish governance structures that ensure long-term success of Lean initiatives
• Develop standard methodologies, procedures, and best practices
• Support regional and global Lean standardization efforts
• Promote continuous assessment and enhancement of Lean programs

Safety, Compliance & Ethics

• Ensure adherence to all safety, health, security, and company policies
• Promote safe work practices while driving operational improvements
• Maintain compliance with corporate and regulatory standards

What We're Looking For

Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Expertise

• Deep understanding of:
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Six Sigma Methodologies
• Continuous Improvement Programs
• Industrial Engineering Concepts
• Waste Elimination Techniques
• Strong experience leading operational improvement initiatives within manufacturing environments

Leadership & Change Management

• Proven ability to lead organizational change and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and team development capabilities
• Experience building high-performance cultures focused on continuous improvement
• Ability to drive engagement and sustain long-term transformation efforts

Project & Financial Management

• Experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Strong business acumen and financial analysis capabilities
• Ability to quantify project benefits and translate operational improvements into financial outcomes
• Experience prioritizing initiatives based on business impact

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
• Statistical Analysis
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process Mapping
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Ability to identify opportunities and implement practical solutions

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in highly matrixed organizations
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities
• Effective communication with frontline employees through executive leadership

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in:
• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Operations Management
• Related discipline
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification from a recognized organization (ASQ, SME, Shingo, or equivalent)
• 3–5 years of experience in:
• Manufacturing Management
• Engineering Management
• Project Management
• Continuous Improvement Leadership
• Experience leading projects in matrixed organizations
• Experience driving change management initiatives

Preferred

• Industrial Engineering degree
• Advanced experience with Lean Manufacturing systems
• Strong financial management and operational analytics expertise
• Experience supporting regional or global continuous improvement programs
• Training and facilitation experience

Work Environment

• Standard business hours with occasional extended hours as required
• Approximately 10% domestic and international travel
• Hybrid office/manufacturing environment with regular interaction on the production floor