Continuous Improvement Engineering Manager

Industrial Electric Manufacturing
Surrey, Canada
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward lean manufacturing professionals comfortable with kaizen event facilitation and cross-functional collaboration, with a preference for candidates from structured continuous improvement environments in the electrical distribution industry located in Surrey, British Columbia.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on lean manufacturing experience and a track record in complex environments
    — “Proven ability to implement lean systems in high-mix, low-volume or complex manufacturing environments”
  • Individuals with a history of leading multiple kaizen events and sustaining improvements
    — “Led numerous formal kaizen events (5–10+ per year ideally)”
  • Professionals familiar with structured continuous improvement environments and cadence-based management
    — “Exposure to formal operating systems and cadence-based management practices”

Things to consider

  • In-office presence is mandatory, with no remote work options available
    — “This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey, B.C. offices and does not offer remote work”
  • Candidates must be adaptable to a fast-paced, high-growth private equity environment
    — “Cultural Fit for Fast-Paced, High-Growth PE Environment”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize measurable improvements in productivity, quality, or lead time in your resume and interview
    — “Has delivered measurable performance improvements (e.g., labor productivity, inventory turns, lead time, quality)”
  • Highlight experience in translating company-level priorities into actionable goals
    — “Demonstrated capability in translating company-level priorities into actionable functional goals”
  • Showcase your ability to coach and lead lean training sessions with operators and engineers
    — “Trained in or has led training in standard work development and implementation”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • led numerous formal kaizen events
  • delivered measurable performance improvements
Typical background
5-8 years of experience in manufacturing or operational excellence roleslean manufacturing expertise

Skills & requirements

Required

Lean ManufacturingKaizen EventsStandard WorkValue Stream MappingProblem-solvingStrategy DeploymentChange ManagementCoaching

Preferred

High-mix Low-volume ManufacturingFormal Operating SystemsCadence-based Management Practices

Stack & domain

Lean ManufacturingKaizenStandard WorkValue Stream MappingProblem-solvingStrategy DeploymentHoshin KanriChange ManagementCoachingMetrics-drivenLeadershipCommunicationTeam FacilitationTrainingOrganizational TransformationBias For ActionManufacturingEngineeringOperationsQualityProductivityFlowLean Tools

About the role

Original posting from Industrial Electric Manufacturing via Greenhouse

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

Reports To: Director of Manufacturing Engineering

Position Summary: IEM is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineering Manager for our Surrey, B.C. locations.  This role will lead site-based continuous improvement activities, focusing on kaizen event facilitation, lean training, and driving implementation of standard work. The Continuous Improvement Manager will partner closely with operations and engineering to improve productivity, quality, and flow using lean tools. 

Please note: This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey, B.C. offices and does not offer remote work.   

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and facilitate kaizen events (labor productivity, layout, material flow, etc.) 

Develop and deploy standard work across production and support areas 

Train and coach operators, supervisors, and engineers on lean fundamentals 

Support site-level strategy deployment and KPI management systems 

Sustain improvements through layered process audits and tiered accountability 

Analyze process performance and identify opportunities for improvement 

Ideal Candidate Profile: 

Lean Manufacturing Expertise 

Deep hands-on experience applying lean tools (standard work, takt time, value stream mapping, problem-solving, etc.) 

Proven ability to implement lean systems in high-mix, low-volume or complex manufacturing environments 

Kaizen Leadership 

Led numerous formal kaizen events (5–10+ per year ideally) 

Skilled in pre-event planning, team facilitation, event execution, and post-event sustainment 

Trained in or has led training in standard work development and implementation 

Strategy Deployment / Hoshin Kanri Experience 

Demonstrated capability in translating company-level priorities into actionable functional goals 

Has experience facilitating X-matrix, catchball, and tiered management systems 

Academy Company Background 

Worked in a structured continuous improvement environment (e.g., Danaher, Parker Hannifin, Crane, Fortive, Illinois Tool Works, etc.) 

Exposure to formal operating systems and cadence-based management practices 

Strong Change Management and Coaching Skills 

Able to coach operators, supervisors, and executives on lean behaviors and systems 

Experience with resistance management and organizational transformation 

Results-Oriented and Metrics-Driven 

Has delivered measurable performance improvements (e.g., labor productivity, inventory turns, lead time, quality) 

Cultural Fit for Fast-Paced, High-Growth PE Environment 

Comfortable working with urgency, ambiguity, and high accountability 

Flexible and pragmatic with strong bias for action 

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a related field 

5–8 years of experience in manufacturing or operational excellence roles 

Experience planning and leading cross-functional kaizen events 

Strong working knowledge of lean tools: standard work, VSM, 5S, problem-solving 

Demonstrated career ambition with a track record of growth and increasing responsibility; highly promotable with the potential to take on broader leadership roles within a fast-paced, high-growth organization 

Prior experience implementing lean in a hands-on, shop-floor setting 

Excellent facilitation and coaching skills 

Compensation actually offered for this role will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

Recruiting Scams

Beware of recruiting scams. IEM never charges candidates fees, and all recruiter emails come from an @iemfg.com address. If you suspect fraudulent activity, do not share personal information and report it to us at iemfg.com/contact

Non-Discrimination Statement

IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

Privacy

Information collected and processed as part of your IEM Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to IEM's Workforce Member Privacy Policy.

Use of AI

At IEM, we are committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. Use the link below to view how we use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist in reviewing job applications and your rights as an applicant.

AI Use in IEM's Hiring Process

Source: Industrial Electric Manufacturing careers (Greenhouse)

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