Cornerstone Building Brands
Manager, Continuous Improvement
Cornerstone Building Brands, Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Company Description
Cornerstone Building Brands, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, is the largest manufacturer of external building products in North America with over $6 billion in annual revenue and an expansive footprint that includes almost 20,000 employees, operating in +70 manufacturing facilities, supported by a network of +80 distribution and branch office facilities. We have a broad product offering with a well-regarded brand portfolio including the #1 positions in windows, vinyl siding, metal accessories, metal roofing and wall systems, and insulated metal panels. We believe every building we create, and every part of that building, positively contributes to communities where people live, work and play.
Job Description The Continuous Improvement Manager will lead bold change through Lean Manufacturing initiatives at the site to ensure continuous, systemic, and sustainable elimination of waste by developing a fully engaged culture of continuous improvement (zero waste mindset). Responsibilities include executing Kaizen Events linked to the site Vision and annual Strategy Deployment, and building foundational capability for long-term sustainment. Create a vision that directs change efforts at the site and develops strategies/action plans to achieve the vision. Eliminate barriers to change and modify systems/processes as required to support Lean and Consumption Driven Supply principles (on demand, defect free, one by one, at lowest cost).
Responsibilities
Lead Site Guiding Coalition
Be the change agent – drive and accelerate change in culture, attitude, and capability
Annual planning of Kaizen Event activities to support Site Strategy Deployment based on Value Stream Mapping and Waste Analysis
Quarterly priority setting of Kaizen Events to deliver step change in results (60 – 90-day outlook) at the target pace for the site
Approval of Kaizen events & close-out and sustainment plans
Ensure Lean tool capability is developed across the site
Drive employee engagement by ensuring a high percentage of new members on Kaizen Events
Approval of standards, systems, and processes to support sustainable execution
Approval of site standards as related to Lean methodologies and implementation
Develop, modify, and improve standard processes to continuously improve efficiency of Coalition related to the above responsibilities
Instill a standard, disciplined, rigorous, process‑focused approach to problem solving across the organization
Actively participate in the CI Steering Committee to share, develop, and deploy Business Unit standards for Lean tools, principles, and methodologies as well as standard business processes
Daily/Active Waste Elimination Coaching
Participate in Accountability Meetings daily with Operations Manager or Production Managers to highlight opportunities for continuous improvement in Lean principles/tools and adherence to production system standards
Participate in weekly Production Department meetings to support development of corrective actions and coach problem solving methodology
Participate in periodic Functional Department meetings to identify gaps/issues, assist in prioritization, and support corrective actions
Outside of Department meetings (monthly minimum), coach structure and linkage of the Business Boards to ensure proper cascade of measures, targets, and actions from Leadership to shop floor
Identify and lead training per Guiding Coalition/Strategy Deployment needs; ensure understanding of tools/techniques and ownership of deployment
Kaizen Event Facilitation
Drive the site to model a Learn by Doing approach
Organize/facilitate Kaizen Event-based and specific tool training for all monthly Kaizen Event teams
Coordinate Preparation, Execution, and Follow-Up stages through weekly interaction with Leaders/Co-Leaders to stay on pace with Kaizen guidelines
For Kaizen Teams exceeding the 30-day close-out window, close open follow-up items and implement countermeasures
Lean Tool Capability
Develop personal mastery in Lean principles and tools to enable broad facilitation (Kaizen events, lean workshops, daily coaching)
Coordinate Kaizen training to ensure site-wide capability for monthly/on-demand training
Lead training sessions and Kaizen Events within the site or other Cornerstone facilities
Reapplication/Benchmarking
Develop and facilitate Lean Manufacturing Annual Plans to share and reapploy best practices
Participate in CI Steering Committee meetings; share improvements for potential reapplication
Participate in Benchmarking visits and audits and identify potential reapplications
Identify external benchmarks by industry/region to accelerate Lean progress
Strategy Deployment
Support the CI Steering Committee in implementing actions; coach and challenge associates
Ensure process confirmation through Go-Look-See to achieve expected business results
With the Plant Manager, lead Site Leadership Team in developing Site Cost Take Out Roadmap and annual Strategy Action Plans
Coordinate monthly Strategy Deployment process, including updates and countermeasure development
Review WIT Boards to ensure alignment with objectives, KPIs, site initiatives, and standards
Prepare daily reports
Qualifications
BA/BS degree preferred (4-year technical or business)
4 – 6 years of Manufacturing Operations experience
Green Belt Certification required; Black Belt preferred
Lean experience required; high school graduate with some college acceptable for external candidates
Extensive experience leading and facilitating formal Kaizen events
Able to build successful teams and guide others in accomplishing objectives
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Customer-focused with ability to improve Lean deployment
Encourages open discussion across Functions; strong decision-making, communication, and coaching skills
Self-motivated with professional conduct
Additional Information Why work for Cornerstone Building Brands?
Full-time team members receive medical, dental, and vision benefits starting day 1. Other benefits include PTO, paid holidays, FSA, life insurance, LTD, STD, 401k, EAP, discount programs, tuition reimbursement, training, and professional development. Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week. Union programs may vary by collective bargaining agreement. Cornerstone Building Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. This posting may include links to various required posters and notices in accordance with applicable law.
Must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Notice of Recruitment Fraud: Cornerstone Building Brands will never ask for advance payment or bank account information as part of recruiting or hiring. For more information, please contact Human Resources at 281-897-7788 or HRCompliance@cornerstone-bb.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Cornerstone Building Brands, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, is the largest manufacturer of external building products in North America with over $6 billion in annual revenue and an expansive footprint that includes almost 20,000 employees, operating in +70 manufacturing facilities, supported by a network of +80 distribution and branch office facilities. We have a broad product offering with a well-regarded brand portfolio including the #1 positions in windows, vinyl siding, metal accessories, metal roofing and wall systems, and insulated metal panels. We believe every building we create, and every part of that building, positively contributes to communities where people live, work and play.
Job Description The Continuous Improvement Manager will lead bold change through Lean Manufacturing initiatives at the site to ensure continuous, systemic, and sustainable elimination of waste by developing a fully engaged culture of continuous improvement (zero waste mindset). Responsibilities include executing Kaizen Events linked to the site Vision and annual Strategy Deployment, and building foundational capability for long-term sustainment. Create a vision that directs change efforts at the site and develops strategies/action plans to achieve the vision. Eliminate barriers to change and modify systems/processes as required to support Lean and Consumption Driven Supply principles (on demand, defect free, one by one, at lowest cost).
Responsibilities
Lead Site Guiding Coalition
Be the change agent – drive and accelerate change in culture, attitude, and capability
Annual planning of Kaizen Event activities to support Site Strategy Deployment based on Value Stream Mapping and Waste Analysis
Quarterly priority setting of Kaizen Events to deliver step change in results (60 – 90-day outlook) at the target pace for the site
Approval of Kaizen events & close-out and sustainment plans
Ensure Lean tool capability is developed across the site
Drive employee engagement by ensuring a high percentage of new members on Kaizen Events
Approval of standards, systems, and processes to support sustainable execution
Approval of site standards as related to Lean methodologies and implementation
Develop, modify, and improve standard processes to continuously improve efficiency of Coalition related to the above responsibilities
Instill a standard, disciplined, rigorous, process‑focused approach to problem solving across the organization
Actively participate in the CI Steering Committee to share, develop, and deploy Business Unit standards for Lean tools, principles, and methodologies as well as standard business processes
Daily/Active Waste Elimination Coaching
Participate in Accountability Meetings daily with Operations Manager or Production Managers to highlight opportunities for continuous improvement in Lean principles/tools and adherence to production system standards
Participate in weekly Production Department meetings to support development of corrective actions and coach problem solving methodology
Participate in periodic Functional Department meetings to identify gaps/issues, assist in prioritization, and support corrective actions
Outside of Department meetings (monthly minimum), coach structure and linkage of the Business Boards to ensure proper cascade of measures, targets, and actions from Leadership to shop floor
Identify and lead training per Guiding Coalition/Strategy Deployment needs; ensure understanding of tools/techniques and ownership of deployment
Kaizen Event Facilitation
Drive the site to model a Learn by Doing approach
Organize/facilitate Kaizen Event-based and specific tool training for all monthly Kaizen Event teams
Coordinate Preparation, Execution, and Follow-Up stages through weekly interaction with Leaders/Co-Leaders to stay on pace with Kaizen guidelines
For Kaizen Teams exceeding the 30-day close-out window, close open follow-up items and implement countermeasures
Lean Tool Capability
Develop personal mastery in Lean principles and tools to enable broad facilitation (Kaizen events, lean workshops, daily coaching)
Coordinate Kaizen training to ensure site-wide capability for monthly/on-demand training
Lead training sessions and Kaizen Events within the site or other Cornerstone facilities
Reapplication/Benchmarking
Develop and facilitate Lean Manufacturing Annual Plans to share and reapploy best practices
Participate in CI Steering Committee meetings; share improvements for potential reapplication
Participate in Benchmarking visits and audits and identify potential reapplications
Identify external benchmarks by industry/region to accelerate Lean progress
Strategy Deployment
Support the CI Steering Committee in implementing actions; coach and challenge associates
Ensure process confirmation through Go-Look-See to achieve expected business results
With the Plant Manager, lead Site Leadership Team in developing Site Cost Take Out Roadmap and annual Strategy Action Plans
Coordinate monthly Strategy Deployment process, including updates and countermeasure development
Review WIT Boards to ensure alignment with objectives, KPIs, site initiatives, and standards
Prepare daily reports
Qualifications
BA/BS degree preferred (4-year technical or business)
4 – 6 years of Manufacturing Operations experience
Green Belt Certification required; Black Belt preferred
Lean experience required; high school graduate with some college acceptable for external candidates
Extensive experience leading and facilitating formal Kaizen events
Able to build successful teams and guide others in accomplishing objectives
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Customer-focused with ability to improve Lean deployment
Encourages open discussion across Functions; strong decision-making, communication, and coaching skills
Self-motivated with professional conduct
Additional Information Why work for Cornerstone Building Brands?
Full-time team members receive medical, dental, and vision benefits starting day 1. Other benefits include PTO, paid holidays, FSA, life insurance, LTD, STD, 401k, EAP, discount programs, tuition reimbursement, training, and professional development. Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week. Union programs may vary by collective bargaining agreement. Cornerstone Building Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. This posting may include links to various required posters and notices in accordance with applicable law.
Must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Notice of Recruitment Fraud: Cornerstone Building Brands will never ask for advance payment or bank account information as part of recruiting or hiring. For more information, please contact Human Resources at 281-897-7788 or HRCompliance@cornerstone-bb.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr