What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuous Improvement Manager position at Sterling Engineering?
CI Manager
Location: Madison, WI
Salary: 120-150k
We are partnering with a well-established, privately held manufacturing client that is continuing to invest in its people, operations, and long-term growth. Due to ongoing expansion and a strong focus on operational excellence, our client is adding a new Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to lead strategic initiatives that drive efficiency, scalability, and sustainable performance across the organization.
This is a high-impact role within a stable, growth-oriented company known for modern manufacturing practices, cross-functional collaboration, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement and employee development. Salary for the role is 120-150k.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out:
Location: Madison, WI
Salary: 120-150k
We are partnering with a well-established, privately held manufacturing client that is continuing to invest in its people, operations, and long-term growth. Due to ongoing expansion and a strong focus on operational excellence, our client is adding a new Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to lead strategic initiatives that drive efficiency, scalability, and sustainable performance across the organization.
This is a high-impact role within a stable, growth-oriented company known for modern manufacturing practices, cross-functional collaboration, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement and employee development. Salary for the role is 120-150k.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out:
- Newly created, high-visibility role with the ability to shape CI strategy and make a measurable impact
- Privately held, financially stable organization with long-term leadership and consistent growth
- Strong investment in modern equipment, automation, and process improvement
- Culture that values Lean thinking, innovation, and employee involvement
- Cross-functional exposure across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and leadership
- Opportunities for career growth as the organization continues to expand
- Collaborative, team-oriented environment where CI is supported at the leadership level
- Commitment to sustainability and operational responsibility, appealing to purpose-driven professionals
- Competitive compensation and benefits aligned with market-leading manufacturers
- Process Optimization
- Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other CI initiatives to streamline workflows and eliminate inefficiencies
- Analyze performance data to identify improvement opportunities across operations, supply chain, production, and administrative processes
- Strategy & Execution
- Develop and manage the organization’s continuous improvement roadmap
- Partner with leadership to align CI initiatives with overall business objectives
- Establish measurable KPIs and track performance improvements
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Mentor and coach employees in CI tools, methodologies, and structured problem-solving
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and teamwork
- Facilitate workshops and training sessions to build CI capability across the organization
- Change Management
- Drive adoption of new processes and systems, ensuring smooth and sustainable transitions
- Engage stakeholders at all levels to overcome resistance and embed continuous improvement practices
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- Experience: 5 years in continuous improvement, operational excellence, or process optimization, ideally within a manufacturing or supply chain environment
- Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred
Salary : $120,000 - $150,000