Continuous Improvement Manager

Avient Corporation
United States, Alabama, Birmingham
3850 Pinson Valley Pkwy (Show on map)
Jun 30, 2025
Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world. Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient. Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough! Job Summary The Continuous Improvement Manager is an integral part of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) team and a key member of Avient's Process Improvement organization. The Continuous Improvement Manager has two key directives in the LSS organization: Collaborating with business leaders and regional continuous improvement leaders to establish continuous improvement strategic priorities, develop organizational wide Black Belt project pipeline focused on achieving strategic goals and ownership of project completion to achieve business targets and operational efficiencies. Provide on-going support to the Avient manufacturing community through execution of projects and best practices to progress the Avient Production Excellence (APEX) and Enhanced Lean Programs. Essential Functions Lead, recruit, and evaluate cohort of Operational Excellence project leaders. Accountability of business strategic Black Belt project pipeline, prioritization and assigning project leaders to execute within US/CAN. Development and growth of business relationships within the manufacturing and operations functions, to identify and drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibility for key savings targets and training objectives to achieve business results related to operational excellence and continuous improvement. Engage and collaborate with regional SPLs and Continuous Improvement leaders on best practice sharing, development of Black Belt project pipeline and strategic initiatives. Coach, lead, develop, and support corporate Lean Six Sigma Black Belts to execute projects with the Avient problem solving and project management methodology, tracking project status and results, removing and elevating project barriers. Assist with Customer First initiatives, including but not limited to customer assessments, VSM and Kaizen training and events. Ownership of LSS White Belt and Yellow Belt content development and responsibility for training & deployment across the US & CAN regions. Assist with content development of LSS curriculum related to professional development and project management to continue supporting business needs and initiatives. Support Director of Process Improvement in launching Enhanced Lean within specific identified manufacturing locations. Assist in VSM at manufacturing locations to identify opportunities to support APEX initiatives and outline projects to drive improvement. Interface with key business leaders by providing guidance on how to better utilize LSS within their business and functional units. Develop and implement processes to ensure that discipline and rigor are applied with project execution. Other projects and duties as assigned. Education and Experience Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of work experience is required. 3+ years' experience leading a team is required. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is required. MBA is preferred. Manufacturing or Operations experience is preferred. Qualifications Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to acquire, assimilate, and analyze data from multiple systems and data sources using a variety of business intelligence and reporting tools. Strong communication and presentation skills adaptable for engaging with multiple levels across the organization. Ability to operate and take initiative in an environment of ambiguity; holds themselves and team members accountable for a high level of performance. Project management experience, team facilitation, data analysis, change management, best practice translation, and process improvement experience is required. Required to travel by car or plane up to 35% of the time. Physical Demands Requires remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time, and frequent communication. Must be able to traverse and operate computer and other office equipment. Typical work is in an office environment where the noise level is low to moderate. We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business. By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals. At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.