Job Description

Improvement Engineer

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Liberty, SC

The Continuous Improvement Engineer position applies engineering, analytical, and Lean methodologies to evaluate and enhance organizational performance. This role focuses on identifying inefficiencies, improving workflows, reducing operational costs, and optimizing productivity across manufacturing, administrative, and support functions.

How You Will Help

• Lead performance improvement and Lean initiatives to eliminate waste, streamline operations, and enhance productivity.
• Analyze material flow, capacity, labor utilization, equipment performance, and process bottlenecks to identify inefficiencies and recommend optimized solutions.
• Perform time studies, work sampling, capacity analysis, and develop/update performance standards, KPIs, and efficiency baselines.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, root-cause analysis sessions, structured problem-solving activities, and lead effective cross-functional meetings.
• Create and execute communication strategies that support project progress, alignment, and organizational buy-in.
• Prepare reports, presentations, dashboards, and Power BI visualizations to communicate performance metrics and project results.
• Map current and future state processes using value stream mapping, workflow diagrams, and engineered standards.
• Manage performance improvement projects through all stages: problem definition, analysis, documentation, implementation, validation, and sustainment.
• Apply DMAIC, Six Sigma, and Lean tools to improve quality, throughput, safety, and cost performance.
• Recommend new technologies, equipment, software, and engineering practices that support efficiency, quality, or cost reduction.
• Support and collaborate with Operations, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Product Development, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Finance on process improvement needs.
• Participate in new product development activities, design reviews, and early-stage process planning for new or improved manufacturing processes.
• Leverage Lean Six Sigma tools such as VSM, SMED, TPM, SIPOC, FMEA, etc., to identify opportunities for improvement, lead strategic initiative improvement teams, and develop control plans.
• Design data collection tools, develop data reports in BI (Business Intelligence) or similar software and display (tabular, graphic, and other formats) for various forums and other meetings as needed.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and ability to use data and analytics to support project activity and progress toward goals
• Lead or support the design, procurement, installation, and validation of new equipment or facilities.
• Contribute to cost reduction initiatives, including process redesign, automation opportunities, and workflow improvements.
• Promote and enforce a safety-first culture by integrating safety requirements into all improvement activities.
• Perform special assignments as needed, including environmental support, area-specific analysis, and report generation.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering or mechanical engineering
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in performance improvement, industrial engineering, or process optimization
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher preferred)
• Demonstrated success leading improvement projects or implementing Lean initiatives
• Proficient in process mapping, workflow design, and time study techniques
• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis and performance measurement
• Experience with data modeling, KPI development, and cost-benefit analysis
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, and data analysis software
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma tools and methodology