Continuous Improvement & Projects Manager

About the role

Heraeus Precious Metals is seeking a Continuous Improvement & Project Manager to lead site-wide continuous improvement initiatives and cross-functional projects at our Santa Fe Springs manufacturing site.

This role will translate business priorities and performance gaps into structured improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and operational performance. The position will play a central role in advancing Operational Excellence and Lean Manufacturing while ensuring that improvements are implemented effectively and sustained over time.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EH&S, Maintenance, and site Leadership, you will combine data-driven problem solving with hands-on project execution in a chemical manufacturing environment.

What you’ll do

• Lead and facilitate Operational Excellence and Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis, and other structured improvement methods.

• Identify performance gaps, waste, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities, and develop practical solutions that deliver measurable and sustainable results.

• Manage site-level projects from initiation through implementation and closeout, including process improvements, equipment upgrades, capital projects, process transfers, and strategic operational initiatives.

• Develop project plans, schedules, milestones, resource requirements, risk assessments, and documentation aligned with project scope, budget, operational objectives, and business priorities.

• Establish project priorities, coordinate cross-functional activities, remove execution barriers, and maintain accountability for milestones and commitments.

• Develop and monitor KPIs, performance measures, and dashboards to evaluate operational performance, validate project results, and identify additional opportunities.

• Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving sessions and coach employees and stakeholders on Lean tools, project management, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement practices.

• Drive initiatives focused on productivity improvement, scrap reduction, downtime reduction, process optimization, waste elimination, cost improvement, and operational discipline.

• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EH&S, Supply Chain, external vendors, and site Leadership to support equipment installation, commissioning, process implementation, and project execution.

• Lead or support Management of Change activities and ensure process, equipment, and operational modifications comply with applicable safety, environmental, quality, regulatory, and company requirements.

• Monitor project performance, communicate status and risks, escalate issues, and recommend actions to stakeholders and site Leadership.

• Verify project results, standardize successful improvements, document lessons learned, and transition completed initiatives to the responsible functional owners for sustainment.

Requirements

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical or business discipline.

• At least five years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, project management, operations, manufacturing engineering, Operational Excellence, or a related field within a manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects from planning through implementation and sustainment.

• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience applying continuous improvement tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis, and process optimization.

• Experience developing and using operational KPIs, performance metrics, and data analysis to identify opportunities and measure results.

• Working knowledge of risk assessment, root cause investigation, Management of Change, and EH&S requirements in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong analytical, organizational, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change across multiple functions and organizational levels without direct reporting authority.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, deadlines, and changing business requirements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate alternatives and recommend practical solutions.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in chemical manufacturing, specialty chemicals, precious metals, materials, or another process-manufacturing environment.

• Experience supporting CAPEX projects, equipment implementation, process modifications, manufacturing upgrades, commissioning, or process transfers.

• Familiarity with Process Safety Management principles and regulated or hazardous manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with ISO quality and environmental management systems.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

• Project Management Professional certification.

• Experience with ERP systems, manufacturing performance systems, or project-management tools.

Key capabilities

• Practical, hands-on approach to continuous improvement and operational execution.

• Ability to translate business priorities into structured projects and measurable outcomes.

• Ability to build alignment, establish accountability, and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

• Strong understanding of process-driven industrial operations and chemical manufacturing environments.

• Ability to use data, observation, and structured problem solving to identify root causes and prioritize opportunities.

• Ability to move initiatives from workshops and analysis through implementation, validation, standardization, and sustainment.

• Strong communication and facilitation skills across shop-floor, technical, functional, and leadership audiences.

Physical requirements

• Work primarily at the Santa Fe Springs manufacturing facility, with regular presence on the production floor and in process, laboratory, maintenance, and other operational areas.

• Routinely walk throughout manufacturing and operational areas and remain on the production floor for extended periods as needed.

• Occasionally climb stairs, ladders, or access elevated platforms and equipment areas.

• Occasionally lift and/or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Sit, stand, bend, reach, and work at a computer workstation for extended periods.

• Work safely around chemical processing equipment, utilities, industrial machinery, and manufacturing processes.

• Work safely in an industrial and chemical manufacturing environment with potential exposure to moving equipment, industrial noise, heat, dust, fumes, process-related odors, chemicals, and hazardous materials under controlled conditions.

• Wear required personal protective equipment, which may include safety glasses, protective footwear, hard hat, hearing protection, respiratory protection, and other PPE required by the work area or task.

• Support occasional off-shift work, shutdown activities, project implementation, or emergency-response activities based on business needs.

• Travel occasionally within the United States to support corporate initiatives, vendor meetings, training, or activities at other Heraeus locations.

Safety, quality, and compliance

The successful candidate will promote safe work practices and incorporate EH&S requirements into continuous improvement and project activities. The role will support root cause investigations, corrective and preventive actions, risk assessments, Management of Change, and compliance with applicable company policies, site procedures, regulatory requirements, quality systems, environmental systems, and Process Safety Management principles.

All work must be performed in accordance with site safety requirements. Required training and PPE must be completed and used before entering controlled or designated operational areas.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to make a visible impact at a manufacturing site where improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity matter every day. You will help build a culture of operational excellence, strengthen execution discipline, and turn improvement opportunities into sustainable business results.