Manager, Continuous Improvement

The Manager, Continuous Improvement leads the development, deployment, and sustainment of Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the windows and doors manufacturing facility. This role drives operational excellence through structured problem‑solving, Kaizen events, process optimization, and capability building. The Manager oversees a Continuous Improvement Technician and partners closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Engineering to deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the plant’s Lean transformation roadmap and ensure alignment with Cornerstone Building Brands’ enterprise CI strategy.
• Champion a culture of waste elimination, standardization, and employee engagement at all levels.
• Supervise, coach, and develop direct reports, ensuring strong execution of CI activities and data analysis.
• Facilitate cross‑functional alignment on improvement priorities.
• Plan, lead, and follow through on Kaizen events focused on throughput, changeover reduction, scrap reduction, ergonomics, and material flow.
• Conduct value stream mapping, time studies, and root‑cause analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
• Manage CI project pipelines, charters, timelines, and financial impact tracking.
• Ensure sustainability of improvements through standard work, visual management, and layered process audits.
• Deploy Lean tools such as 5S, Kanban, TPM, and Gemba walks.
• Support process capability improvements using basic Six Sigma tools, SPC, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance to optimize equipment performance and reduce downtime.
• Deliver hands‑on training in Lean fundamentals, problem‑solving, and CI tools to hourly and salaried employees.
• Coach supervisors and team leads on daily management systems and continuous improvement behaviors.
• Build a strong pipeline of CI practitioners within the plant.
• Track and report CI performance metrics, including cost savings, productivity gains, scrap reduction, and safety improvements.
• Present progress and results to plant leadership and corporate CI teams.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in Continuous Improvement or Lean leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading Kaizen events and cross‑functional improvement projects.
• Strong knowledge of Lean tools, problem‑solving methodologies, and process mapping.
• Experience supervising or mentoring team members.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and change‑management skills.

Preferred

• Experience in windows, doors, or building products manufacturing.
• Lean certification (Lean Practitioner, Lean Leader, or equivalent).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab, Power BI).
• Experience implementing standard work, visual management, and daily management systems.

Leadership Competencies

• Cornerstone Building Brands (CBB) Values and Behaviors & Mindsets – Act consistently with CBB’s Values (Safety, Integrity, & Inclusion) and Behaviors & Mindsets (Customer-Centricity, Interconnectedness, Continuous Improvement).
• Leads Transformation – Champion, support, & drive change, managing the impact on people and processes
• Develops People & Builds Teams – Foster a culture of continuous learning, develop talent, and build high-performing teams
• Delivers Results – Prioritizes achieving outcomes without compromising values
• Influences with Impact – Clearly communicates with confidence to drive action and build enthusiasm
• Raises the Bar – Inspires growth by challenging limits and pursuing excellence
• Charts the Course – Focuses on the future and sets a clear direction
• Knows the Business – Exhibits strong business judgment, understands priorities, and acts decisively
• Manages Courageously – Adapts to change and effectively resolves conflict
• Resiliency – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

Physical Requirements

• Walking, standing, lifting, bending, reaching
• Lifting up to 30 lbs
• Safe movement around machinery
• Use of PPE
• Visual acuity
• Effective communication in noisy environments
• Computer work

Why work for Cornerstone Building Brands?

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 - 140,000 + 10% bonus + medical, dental, vision benefits starting day 1 + 401k and PTO. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. (Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week.)

*Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week. **Union programs may vary depending on the collective bargaining agreement.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Why work for Cornerstone Building Brands? 

Our teams are at the heart of our purpose to positively contribute to the communities where we live, work and play. Full-time* team members receive** medical, dental and vision benefits starting day 1. Other benefits include PTO, paid holidays, FSA, life insurance, LTD, STD, 401k, EAP, discount programs, tuition reimbursement, training, and professional development. 

*Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week. **Union programs may vary depending on the collective bargaining agreement.

Cornerstone Building Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. You can find the Equal Employment Opportunity Poster here. You can also view Your Right to Work Poster here along with This Organizations Participation in E-Verify Poster here. If you'd like to view a copy of the company's affirmative action plan for protected veterans or individuals with disabilities or policy statement, please contact Human Resources at 281-897-7788 or HRCompliance@cornerstone-bb.com. If you have a disability and you believe that you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please contact Human Resources at 281-897-7788 or HRCompliance@cornerstone-bb.com. This email is used exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only emails received for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018

 

Must be at least 18 years of age to apply.

Note to External Recruiters

Cornerstone Building Brands does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay fees for any candidate submissions that were not expressly authorized.

Notice of Recruitment Fraud

We have been made aware of multiple scams whereby unauthorized individuals are using Cornerstone Building Brand's name and logo to solicit potential job-seekers for employment. In some cases, job-seekers are being contacted directly, both by phone and e-mail. In other instances, these unauthorized individuals are placing advertisements for fake positions with both legitimate websites and fabricated ones. These individuals are typically promising high-paying jobs with the requirement that the job-seeker send money to pay for things such as visa applications or processing fees. Please be advised that Cornerstone Building Brands will never ask potential job-seekers for any sort of advance payment or bank account information as part of the recruiting or hiring process.