Overview

Continuous Improvement Manager Jobs in Garden Grove, CA at Winchester Interconnect

Title: Continuous Improvement Manager

Company: Winchester Interconnect

Location: Garden Grove, CA

At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way.

Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary

As our Continuous Improvement Manager, you will serve as the strategic leader and driving force behind operational excellence across our Engineered Cables Division. You will own, lead, and execute the full Continuous Improvement (CI) program — developing and deploying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives that deliver measurable results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and efficiency in our high-mix, low-volume aerospace and defense manufacturing operations.

In this managerial role, you will build and nurture a CI culture from the floor to the leadership team. You will directly manage CI project pipelines, lead cross-functional improvement events, develop internal CI capabilities through coaching and training, and align improvement strategy with the Company's broader business objectives.

You will leverage advanced Lean and Six Sigma tools, data-driven analysis, and strong change management skills to eliminate waste, optimize workflows, and deliver sustainable results. Working in close partnership with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain leaders, you will champion Winchester's commitment to operational excellence while ensuring compliance with AS9100 quality management system requirements.

This position reports to the General Manager and is a key member of the site leadership team, contributing directly to strategic growth, competitive positioning, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical discipline required; Master’s degree a plus.
  • 7+ years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, or manufacturing engineering roles, with at least 2 years in a managerial or team lead capacity.
  • Aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing (medical device, space) experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing operations a plus.
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required; Master Black Belt or equivalent strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated success designing and leading CI programs at a site or divisional level, not just individual projects.
  • Proven experience leading Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Pull Systems, and cellular manufacturing implementations.
  • Deep expertise in Six Sigma DMAIC methodology, root cause analysis (RCA), and advanced statistical analysis tools.
  • Experience with AS9100 and ISO9001 quality management systems preferred.
  • Familiarity with ITAR regulations and aerospace/defense manufacturing requirements a plus.
  • Proficiency with data analysis tools, including Microsoft Excel, Minitab, or similar statistical software.
  • Experience with ERP systems (Syspro experience a plus) and manufacturing execution systems.
  • Strong program and project management skills; ability to manage and prioritize a portfolio of concurrent improvement initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence, motivate, and lead without direct authority across all levels of the organization.
  • Excellent communication and executive presentation skills; experience presenting to senior leadership and customers.
  • Proven track record of building CI capability through training, coaching, and mentoring employees at all levels.
  • Change management experience with the ability to drive cultural transformation in a manufacturing setting.
  • Self-directed and results-oriented, with a strong bias for action and accountability.
  • Collaborative team player who builds trust and credibility across functional boundaries.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and adapt to changing priorities.
  • APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification a plus.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) to comply with ITAR regulations.

Our core values – Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE) – are the foundation of how we operate and drive success. You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

  • Develop, own, and execute a comprehensive Continuous Improvement roadmap aligned with strategic business objectives, including cost reduction, quality enhancement, on-time delivery improvement, and capacity expansion.
  • Partner with the General Manager and site leadership to identify, prioritize, and resource improvement initiatives based on business impact, customer requirements, and strategic growth goals.
  • Build and manage a CI project pipeline, ensuring consistent execution, governance, and measurable financial returns.
  • Benchmark industry best practices in aerospace and defense manufacturing; identify and adopt proven methodologies to advance the Company’s competitive position.
  • Generate regular executive-level reports and dashboards on CI program status, financial benefits, and key metrics trends.
  • Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, and value stream mapping (VSM) activities to identify and eliminate waste in processes, materials, motion, waiting, transportation, inventory, and defects.
  • Conduct time studies, process observations, and workflow analysis to identify non-value-added activities and develop solutions to improve productivity, cycle time, and throughput.
  • Implement Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, visual factory management, standard work, single-piece flow, pull systems, and cellular manufacturing.
  • Design and optimize factory layouts, workstation configurations, and material flow to reduce travel distance, minimize handling, and improve ergonomics.
  • Develop and implement poka-yoke (mistake-proofing) devices and error-prevention systems to enhance quality and reduce defects at the source.
  • Create visual management systems including production boards, KPI dashboards, Andon systems, and performance tracking displays.
  • Lead Six Sigma projects using DMAIC methodology to solve complex quality, efficiency, and cost problems with measurable, sustainable results.
  • Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) using tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, and FMEA to identify and address systemic issues.
  • Perform statistical analysis including hypothesis testing, regression analysis, control charts (SPC), process capability studies (Cp, Cpk), and correlation analysis.
  • Establish baseline metrics, set improvement targets, and measure results to validate the effectiveness of improvement initiatives.
  • Use A3 problem-solving methodology to document problems, analyze root causes, develop countermeasures, and standardize solutions.
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive continuous improvement roadmap aligned with strategic business objectives, including cost reduction, quality enhancement, on-time delivery improvement, and capacity expansion.
  • Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs), including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), First Pass Yield (FPY), Scrap Rate, Cycle Time, Lead Time, Inventory Turns, and Labor Productivity.
  • Partner with the leadership team to identify improvement priorities based on business impact, customer requirements, and strategic growth initiatives.
  • Lead, coach, and develop cross-functional improvement teams, including members from Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance.
  • Facilitate structured problem-solving sessions, brainstorming workshops, and improvement meetings to drive engagement and results.
  • Design and deliver training programs on Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools for employees at all levels.
  • Coach and mentor team members in applying improvement methodologies to daily work, developing their problem-solving capabilities, and a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Develop training materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and visual aids to support knowledge transfer.
  • Champion and sustain a culture of continuous improvement where all employees are engaged, empowered, and recognized for contributing to improvements.
  • Ensure all continuous improvement activities support and enhance AS9100 and ISO9001 quality management system compliance.
  • Partner with Quality Assurance to align improvement initiatives with quality objectives, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
  • Support internal and external audits by documenting process improvements and maintaining evidence of continuous improvement.
  • Manage multiple concurrent improvement projects from initiation through closure, ensuring on-time delivery within budget and scope.
  • Develop detailed project plans including timelines, resource requirements, budget estimates, risk assessments, and success metrics.
  • Conduct post-implementation reviews to validate results, capture lessons learned, and identify opportunities for further improvement.
  • Generate regular reports and dashboards showing continuous improvement project status, financial benefits, and key metrics trends.
  • Calculate and report the financial impact of improvement initiatives, including cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity gains, and quality improvements.
  • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by partnering with Engineering to ensure Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles are applied.
  • Comply with all company policies and procedures.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems You’ll Use

  • Google Workspace / SmartView / Salesforce
  • ADP / Syspro / QMS / Planful / AwardCo

Pay Transparency

Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $110,000 – $140,000 per year plus 10% AIP. Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision.

For a sneak peek into some of our benefits and to learn more about our career opportunities, click here https://www.winconn.com/jobs/.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

  • Candidates Only-No 3rd Parties***

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