Continuous Improvement Manager

Lineage Logistics

Des Moines, IA

Estimated pay: Est. $30–$46/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

The Continuous Improvement Manager reports through the Lean/Operational Excellence organization and partners with RVPs, Directors, and Sites General Managers to drive sustainable continuous improvement across a portfolio of warehouses. This role is responsible for building a culture of problem solving, operational excellence, and lean capability that advances safety, quality, delivery, cost, growth, and morale. Using a balanced approach that combines hard operational results with the quality of how those results are achieved, the CI Manager prioritizes coaching, tracks progression, and provides clear next steps across sites of varying size and maturity. Initiatives are executed through people development, high-quality A3 problem-solving, daily small improvements, lean reviews, value stream mapping, kaizen, waste elimination, and other lean leadership methods. Essential Functions Mentors, coaches, and trains at all levels to build an army of problem solvers who use lean principles in daily decision-making Uses multiple components (results metrics, site maturity reviews, A3 quality, small improvements, and development activity) to assess current condition, identify gaps, and prioritize coaching across the region Facilitates Lean activities across sites, including kaizen, training, standardization, value-stream mapping, and Continuous Improvement Roadmap development, while emphasizing high-quality A3 problem-solving and daily small improvements Builds people capability by tracking and coaching toward Lean certifications, problem-solving ownership, and applied training Develops Regional Vice Presidents and site General Managers in their understanding and use of Lean Principles Communicates company goals, strategies, and vision while aligning site and regional lean activity to increasing levels of maturity and company-wide targets Facilitates quality systems, continuous process improvement, and safety initiatives using lean thinking, with special attention to how process maturity supports results in TIR, metrics, and operational excellence Advances company metrics (safety, quality, delivery, cost, growth, and morale) by combining results performance with the quality of problem-solving, daily improvement, and development activity Develops, models, and coaches lean applications and problem-solving discipline across GMs, operations managers, team leads, and team members Regularly reviews lean performance with regional and site leadership using assessing methods, category heatmaps, and question-level gaps to set expectations, provide feedback, and drive next steps Leads development of Continuous Improvement Roadmaps that support both individual site needs and regional priorities, ensuring every site can contribute regardless of size or prior lean exposure Drives - and is measured in part on - site Total Labor/Throughput Pallet and Turn Times results versus goal for each supported building (with targets tiered by site maturity). Strategic project deployments: Provides support for Lineage’s Operational Strategy and strategic deployments, including LinOS and Easy Metrics, and the pursuit of Just-In-Time. Supports regional and site requests within scope, prioritizing against opportunities and goals. Qualifications Degree in Logistics, Operations Management, Lean Manufacturing, or related field required 7-10 years of Lean experience in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, or a combination of these with increasing levels of contribution and responsibility; experience supporting multiple sites preferred Ability to provide direction, implementation, and continuous improvement of lean systems across a portfolio of warehouses Willingness to travel a minimum of 75% of the time within the region Capability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and focus coaching effort where site- and region-level reviews and heatmaps show the greatest opportunity Skills Lean knowledge (problem-solving, standard work, visual management, pull, flow, quality) Collaborating with other regional leaders across all aspects of the business Warehouse Management and Transportation Knowledge Safety Security Safety Program Experience and Oversight Business Management Skills Planning – Strategic and Tactical Quality Management System Knowledge Data analysis and Excel proficiency for score models, trackers, and heatmaps Microsoft Office – Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, Access, Project Sigma Claude/AI Physical Demands and Work Environment Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work