Continuous Improvement Specialist

About the company

Martinrea International Inc. is a worldwide manufacturer focused on highly engineered metal parts, assemblies, modules, fluid management systems, and complex structures for the automotive and industrial industries. Its work supports supply chains across North America and global markets by supplying components to major vehicle and industrial manufacturers.

Founded in 2001 and based in Vaughan, Ontario, Martinrea runs 56 manufacturing, engineering, and technical facilities in 10 countries: Canada, the United States, India, Brazil, Germany, Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, and China. The company has a global workforce of more than 19,000 people.

Its customer base includes major names such as General Motors, Ford, BMW, John Deere, Caterpillar, and Bombardier. Martinrea is known for its focus on manufacturing excellence, innovation, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Role overview

The Continuous Improvement Specialist will help strengthen plant performance by improving processes, reducing waste, supporting quality, and driving operational excellence across manufacturing activities.

Key responsibilities

• Review manufacturing and operational workflows to improve efficiency, lower costs, raise quality, and support customer satisfaction.
• Implement company-wide manufacturing standards, policies, and improvement programs within production operations.
• Study plant layouts, process flows, and production methods using lean principles to remove waste and improve output.
• Coach and assist production staff on continuous improvement tools, company standards, and best practices.
• Help introduce and safely launch new programs, processes, equipment, and tooling.
• Spot process risks, quality issues, and inefficiencies, then recommend corrective and preventive measures.
• Gather, analyze, and report operational data to identify trends, variation, and opportunities for improvement.
• Use production and quality data to support assurance activities and improvement projects.
• Investigate root causes and drive corrective actions for manufacturing, quality, and production problems.
• Take part in cross-functional teams working on efficiency, quality, productivity, scrap reduction, safety, and delivery targets.
• Create, update, and improve manufacturing documentation to meet automotive, customer, and corporate standards.
• Assist in evaluating suppliers and tooling for equipment, processes, and new program introductions.
• Support the design and implementation of manufacturing processes, fixtures, tooling, production equipment, and error-proofing solutions.
• Initiate and support DOE activities and prepare findings, reports, and recommendations.
• Carry out studies and improvement projects aimed at boosting output, reducing cost, improving quality, and optimizing processes.
• Prepare management reports and recommendations based on manufacturing performance data.
• Stay current on manufacturing technologies, automation, quality systems, and continuous improvement methods.
• Ensure processes meet health, safety, environmental, customer, and company requirements.
• Help develop and refine process flow charts, Control Plans, PFMEA, DFMEA, prototype build documentation, and related quality planning documents.
• Support the ongoing improvement of preventive maintenance programs for equipment and production systems.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues and put solutions in place to reduce defects, downtime, and inefficiency.
• Review manufacturing methods and recommend ways to improve productivity, quality, reliability, and internal production capability.
• Contribute to lean, Kaizen, and operational excellence initiatives across the organization.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient workplace while following all company policies, procedures, and safety rules.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related engineering field is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, quality, or process engineering within a manufacturing setting is needed.
• Hands-on exposure to lean manufacturing, process improvement, quality improvement, production optimization, or similar initiatives is required.
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of automotive OEM expectations, manufacturing processes, and quality standards is needed.
• Practical experience with PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, process flow creation, root cause analysis, and corrective action methods is required.
• Background in manufacturing layouts, workflow optimization, and process improvement projects is needed.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities are required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and engineering/manufacturing software is required.
• Knowledge of CAD tools, automation systems, and manufacturing equipment is an asset.
• Ability to travel occasionally as needed is required.

Additional information

No provincial licence or certification is required for this role in Ontario.

Application information

Applicants were instructed to send a resume by email with the subject line “Continuous Improvement Specialist.” Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.