Continuous Improvement Manager

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. The company pioneered modern fiber cement building products and continues to invest in innovation to transform the industry. James Hardie is a high-performance organization, with an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,000 employees across operations in North America.

Make your dream career a reality. It’s possible!

As the Continuous Improvement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and inclusion. You will lead initiatives that ensure efficiency, quality, and sustainability in manufacturing operations while developing and mentoring diverse teams to drive measurable improvements.

The Engineering -Continuous Improvement Manager supports the Fontana, CA manufacturing plant in meeting the product specification, customer requirements, and shareholder expectations by improving process capability and driving process improvement projects utilizing Lean methods. Their work efforts will improve attainment of key manufacturing metrics: safety, quality, yield, RATE, and cost efficiency.  This person will use process analysis skills and project management skills to identify the right projects and guide the right actions during the selection process, while coordinating project resourcing, timelines, and schedules through our Lean management system (HMOS).

To be effective in this role, the person should have 8+ years of experience working in a large-scale continuous manufacturing site conducting cycle time and bottleneck analysis, waste mapping, process optimization, and new product trials resulting in improved throughput, quality, or yield.  You will also be responsible for managing and developing a team of engineers.

What You’ll Do:

• Improve key business metrics of RTY, Net Hours and RATE by implementing and supporting & leading lean and continuous improvement activities.  
• Encourage diverse perspectives in problem-solving and innovation, ensuring everyone has a voice in Lean initiatives.
• Oversee and drive associate participation (including process experts) in Lean initiatives, promoting an inclusive and collaborative approach.
• Coordinate and track the weekly Continuous Improvement activities.
• Coordinate and track the monthly strategy deployment activities and initiatives in support of meeting Business Metrics, Annual Improvement Priorities (AIPs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).  
• Ability to influence and lead change throughout the organization.  
• Drive “best practices” in all areas of responsibility. 
• Oversee organizational participation in lean initiatives. Drive associate participation (including process experts) in Lean initiatives. Institutionalize problem solving tools to address and resolve problems.  

What You’ll Bring:  

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• 8+ years of experience working in a large-scale continuous manufacturing site conducting cycle time and bottleneck analysis, waste mapping, process optimization, and new product trials resulting in improved throughput, quality, or yield.
• 5 years experience managing engineers including their professional development, performance reviews and mentoring.
• 3+ years of experience in Lean running large scale projects and cross functional Kaizen events.
• Commitment to empowerment of all employees
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Executive level presentation skills with financial impact story telling capabilities.
• Demonstrates a consultative approach to problem solving.
• Certified Lean Master Black Belt is highly preferred.

What You’ll Receive:

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on the strength and diversity of our people. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that starts on day one.  As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $125k to $150k. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

Benefits available include:

• Comprehensive low-cost co-pay medical insurance; as well as vision insurance benefits for every 30+ hour full-time employee. Insurance starts on day one!
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance

• 401(k) Retirement plan that will match 100% of employees saved dollars up to the first 6% of your salary

• Paid Time Off
• 11 paid holidays per year, paid vacation including Jury Duty and bereavement leave
• Paid sick leave
• Professional development programs designed to support career growth, with mentorship opportunities for women in manufacturing
• Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program and Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Visit JH Benefits At A Glance 2025 to learn more about our benefits.

James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

Join us at James Hardie and help shape the future of manufacturing and continuous improvement in a company that values diversity, inclusion, and leadership development. Apply today!

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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.