Continuous Improvement Lead

About Crown Holdings

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a global leader in the production and innovation of sustainable metal packaging solutions. Serving some of the largest and most respected companies worldwide, Crown focuses on growth, skill development, and sustainability as core to its long-term strategy.

Division Overview

The Beverage Division at Crown manufactures diverse packaging options for soft drinks, craft beers, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. This division leads the industry with cutting-edge technologies and offers a large printable surface area, diverse sizes, shapes, and decorative options, making aluminum cans an ideal packaging medium for impactful brand presence.

Role Summary

The Continuous Improvement Lead will spearhead and support operational excellence efforts by blending continuous improvement leadership with data-driven process and supply chain management strategies. The role involves driving Lean methodologies, system enhancements, and best practices to improve productivity, reduce waste and costs, optimize workflows, and cultivate a culture of continuous operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Craft and implement a detailed annual Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy aligned with divisional and global corporate objectives.
• Lead CI steering committees and cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution and maintenance of initiatives.
• Foster a Lean-thinking culture throughout all plant operations.
• Examine workflows and supply chain procedures to pinpoint inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Apply Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, 5S, TPM, Kanban, Poka Yoke, Gemba walks, and Kaizen events.
• Develop and enforce standardized processes to assure consistency, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Establish and oversee KPIs and leading metrics to evaluate the success of CI initiatives.
• Propose strategic enhancements for systems, dashboards, and automated reporting tools.
• Maintain and improve notification and note systems to boost visibility and decision-making.
• Validate and deploy new methodologies locally and regionally, ensuring improvement sustainability.
• Assist corporate teams with digitalization, IoT, and machine data-driven projects advancing manufacturing excellence.
• Deliver hands-on CI training to plant personnel and mentor CI champions.
• Create accessible repositories for CI, Lean, and safety tools to enhance learning.
• Support the promotion of high operational standards and preventive practices across the organization.
• Lead CI and Lean supply chain projects from start to finish in line with business goals.
• Advocate for Lean Supply Chain Management throughout all core processes.
• Coordinate corporate and divisional programs including Reliability, Safety Steering, summits, and Kaizen events.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline preferred.
• At least five years of experience in supervisory roles or project management.
• Proven expertise in manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, and Lean management.
• Experience with supply chain analysis, data systems, and leading projects is essential.
• Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing equipment is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of continuous improvement principles and Lean methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and system development capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and change management skills.
• Innovative, entrepreneurial mindset with enthusiasm for IoT and future manufacturing technologies.
• Superior communication and interpersonal abilities.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Regular activities include sitting, standing, walking, manual handling, reaching, and effective communication.
• Ability to lift or move items weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Work environment encompasses plant and office settings with exposure to noise and mechanical equipment.
• Requires up to 75% monthly travel to support various division plants and initiatives.
• Adherence to safety and environmental policies following company and OSHA guidelines is mandatory.

What We Offer

• A strong commitment to employee safety and well-being.
• Opportunities for meaningful career advancement.
• Professional and personal growth via training and hands-on experience.

Additional Information

Join a professional team passionate about sustainable packaging and contribute to an inclusive work environment under the company’s Twentyby30™ program emphasizing respect, value, and inclusivity.