Regional Continuous Improvement Manager - Central Coverage

Why Valmont
 

We’re Here to Move the World Forward.

Valmont impacts millions of people around the world every day, yet they might not realize the many ways. Our technology is helping feed the growing population, supplying the world with more reliable energy and access to renewables, enhancing connectivity in remote and urban locations to create a sustainable future and so much more. Simply put, Valmont is advancing agricultural productivity and reimagining vital infrastructure to make life better.

Join a Fortune 1000 company that respects hard work, honors diversity and invests in our employees as we focus on creating the world of tomorrow, today. We are the modern workforce. Are you ready to move the world forward? Apply now.

This role is a remote position with heavy travel in support of our southern sites. When not traveling, the individual must be seated at or near one of the following locations: Indiana; Houston, TX; Omaha, NE. Proximity to a major airport is required to support frequent travel.

Position Summary

This position drives, facilitates, and enables operational excellence through the implementation of comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies across Valmont sites. The goal is to achieve customer focus, simplicity, agility, and accountability while fostering a culture of continuous improvement at every level of the organization.

The Regional Continuous Improvement Manager identifies, communicates, and removes obstacles to performance, assisting teams in resolving conflicts to achieve optimal improvement. This role trains and coaches managers, supervisors, and staff in a broad range of CI tools and practices—including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Standard Work, Kanban, SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die), Theory of Constraints, and Voice of the Customer (VOC)—to deliver measurable results for the North American business.

Primary focus areas include generating and executing production savings, leading high-impact improvement projects, and mentoring leaders to embed CI principles into daily operations. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable culture of continuous improvement that supports the productivity and strategic objectives of Valmont facilities in your assigned area.

Essential Functions

• Facilitate and coach continuous improvement events and coordinate activities across teams, support groups, and management, while removing barriers to global performance.
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing and improving business processes, architecture, requirements, change management, and performance metrics.
• Diagnose workflow impediments and provide guidance on the appropriate CI methodologies (TPS Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA, DMAIC, Theory of Constraints) to eliminate waste and reduce variation.
• Guide site leaders, managers, and CI practitioners in applying continuous improvement principles and leadership behaviors that build a culture of excellence.
• Define and facilitate improvement activities using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and other CI frameworks aligned with the site’s strategic roadmap.
• Continuously coach sites to drive improvements and improve standard work for the purpose of increasing customer value and operational agility.
• Establish, track, and communicate CI-related metrics and clear reporting for stakeholders.
• Determine resource requirements, training needs, and internal control procedures that align with organizational objectives.
• Facilitate events such as TPM workshops, Standard Work design sessions, SMED quick-change projects, root cause analyses (RCA), and value stream transformations in both manufacturing and administrative areas.
• Mentor and coach teams to navigate ambiguity, build problem-solving capabilities, and sustain improvements.
• Work independently and collaboratively, building strong relationships at all organizational levels.
• Serve as a customer-focused leader and change agent who moves the transformation process forward.
• Organize and manage multiple priorities, meeting aggressive deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Director of Operations to develop the Regional Continuous Improvement Roadmap, aligning CI initiatives with business goals and long-term strategy.
• Promote the dissemination of CI knowledge throughout all levels of site staff through regular training in both a formal and informal setting and using teachable moments.
• Identify training needs and support the development of CI capabilities across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, associate degree with 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or continuous improvement.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Visio) and CI project management tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in multiple CI methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Theory of Constraints, Business Process Improvement).
• Demonstrated ability to lead a value stream mapping workshop and facilitate improvement actions based on data to ensure flow.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional improvement projects and delivering measurable business results.
• Solid understanding of production processes, cost drivers, and operational metrics.
• Effective facilitation skills and the ability to engage employees at all levels.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities.
• Ability to travel domestically between 50-75%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification(s) in one or more CI methodologies (Toyota Production Systems, Six Sigma Black Belt/Green Belt, TPM, etc.).
• Experience in strategy deployment, enterprise-level CI programs, and culture-change leadership.
• Commitment to lifelong learning in the field of Continuous Improvement and operational excellence.

Success Profile

• Passionate advocate for employee engagement and cultural transformation.
• Strategic problem-solver who drives improvement through coaching and collaboration.
• Hands-on leader who models discipline, respect, and continuous learning.
• Leader who develops others by demonstrating and taking the lead to ensure process excellence is foundational to the learning process.
• Results-oriented coach who drives others to achieve measurable performance improvements and sustain outcomes.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)

• 401k retirement plan with company match

• Paid time off

• Employer paid life insurance

• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave

• Work Life Support

• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year

• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you have a disability and require any assistance in filling out the application for employment email EEOCompliance@Valmont.com.