Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist

Company Overview


Durabuilt Windows & Doors is one of Western Canada’s leading manufacturers of high-performance windows and doors. Since 1988, we have grown from a small family business into a large, privately held organization serving builders, contractors, homeowners and partners across Canada.
Our success is driven by continuous improvement, innovation and the talented people behind our products. We are looking for an experienced improvement leader who can turn operational challenges into practical, measurable and sustainable results.

What This Role Is All About

The Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist leads strategic improvement and process-engineering initiatives across our manufacturing operations.

Working closely with Production leadership and cross-functional teams, this position uses Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, Overall Equipment Effectiveness and advanced analytical tools to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost and material flow.

This is a hands-on role that combines shop-floor observation, data analysis, fixture and layout design, project leadership and employee engagement. The successful candidate will also help build continuous-improvement capability across the organization by mentoring junior engineers and analysts and supporting initiatives across multiple facilities.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct time studies, workflow analysis and value stream mapping to identify opportunities to improve productivity, safety, quality and cost.
• Lead OEE studies for production lines and critical equipment, including establishing measurement standards, baselines, targets and improvement roadmaps.
• Analyze availability, performance and quality losses using downtime, Pareto, TEEP and Six Big Losses data.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement practical corrective and preventive actions.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events, define objectives, estimate ROI, coordinate resources and track measurable results.
• Lead Lean and continuous-improvement initiatives using 5S, Six Sigma, 8D, standard work, visual management and Kamishibai audits.
• Design production fixtures, workstations and layouts using SolidWorks, AutoCAD or similar 3D CAD tools.
• Use FlexSim or comparable simulation tools to evaluate production capacity, workflows and proposed process changes.
• Support line balancing, process design and validation, PFMEA, control plans and new-product introductions.
• Prepare labour ROI, work-content and capital-justification analyses for senior leadership.
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions and technical documents.
• Deliver hands-on training and demonstrations to production employees and cross-functional teams.
• Establish and lead a Continuous Improvement Steering Committee.
• Lead improvement and process-engineering projects from business case through implementation and sustainment.
• Mentor junior engineers and analysts and help build a sustainable culture of operational excellence.
• Support improvement initiatives across multiple Durabuilt facilities.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing or a related engineering discipline, or a technical diploma combined with equivalent senior-level experience.
• At least six years of experience in a manufacturing environment, including a minimum of two years leading continuous-improvement or process-engineering projects.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is required; Black Belt certification is an asset.
• P.Eng., E.I.T. or C.Tech designation is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, 8D, value stream mapping and root-cause analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of OEE, including measurement rules, loss categorization, Six Big Losses analysis and improvement validation.
• Experience with automated OEE data collection through PLC, MES or IIoT systems is an asset.
• Experience conducting time studies, capacity analysis, line balancing and process-efficiency evaluations.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, AutoCAD or similar CAD tools for fixture and layout design.
• Experience with FlexSim or equivalent manufacturing simulation software.
• Knowledge of process design and validation, PFMEA, control plans and standard work.
• Advanced statistical-analysis knowledge, including SPC, Cp/Cpk, MSA, Gage R&R, hypothesis testing and DOE.
• Experience using Minitab or equivalent statistical software.
• Strong data-analysis skills using Excel, Power BI or SQL; Python or other scripting experience is an asset.
• Experience preparing SOPs, work instructions, technical reports and training materials.
• Demonstrated ability to build business cases, calculate ROI and support capital-investment decisions.
• Strong project leadership, mentoring and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and organizational abilities.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing is required; window and door manufacturing experience is an asset.

Working Conditions and Requirements

• Primarily works in an office and manufacturing-plant environment.
• Regular presence on the production floor is required.
• Must be comfortable working around machinery, production equipment, noise and changing operational demands.
• Ability to lift or carry between 10 and 75 pounds when required.
• Uses office and technical equipment, including computers, smartphones and 3D printers.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to travel between local facility locations as needed.
• Occasional weekend availability may be required.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects, tight timelines and a high level of detail.

Why Join Durabuilt?

• Lead high-impact improvement projects across a growing manufacturing organization.
• Influence operational strategy and help shape our continuous-improvement culture.
• Work directly with production teams, technical professionals and senior leadership.
• Mentor developing professionals and support improvements across multiple facilities.
• Join a Canadian company recognized for innovation, quality and long-term growth.

Send Us Your Resume
We embrace diversity and provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of origin, culture, ethnicity, age, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation or faith.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for the next stage will be contacted.

 

Thank you for applying!