Area Continuous Improvement Leader

Company Description

Remember the last time you opened a bottle of champagne, a cold beer after a hard day’s work or a bottle of sparkling mineral water to quench the thirst, well it was probably made by us, we are O-I and we love that we make more glass containers than anyone in the world.

O-I has more than a century of experience crafting pure, sustainable, brand-building glass packaging for many of the world’s best-known food and beverage brands. We are proud to provide high quality glass packaging for beer, wine, spirits, food, non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Job Description

The Area Continuous Improvement Leader is responsible for leading and supporting continuous improvement strategy, execution, and capability building across several AMN factories. This role partners closely with plant leadership teams to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities, strengthen the use of GMF, and deliver measurable gains in safety, quality, productivity, cost, reliability, and energy. The leader serves as a hands-on coach and change agent, helping factories build problem-solving capability, improve process discipline, share best practices across sites, and sustain results through metrics and accountability.

The Area Continuous Improvement Leader will:

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities, aligning projects with business goals and operational priorities.
• Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute strategic improvement plans with measurable results.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, energy usage, and cost performance.
• Identify, implement, and sustain cost reduction opportunities while tracking financial impact and accountability.
• Analyze operational data to identify opportunities, solve problems, and ensure improvement actions are sustained.
• Coach leaders and teams on continuous improvement practices while fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

The Area Continuous Improvement Leader should have:

• Experience leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment.

• Proven ability to partner with plant leadership to drive measurable business and operational results.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, waste elimination, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience identifying and delivering cost savings and performance improvement opportunities.
• Ability to analyze performance data, establish metrics, and manage improvement projects from planning through execution.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and change management skills with the ability to influence teams across multiple sites.

SCOPE AND IMPACT

This role supports several factories across the AMN network and has broad influence on factory performance, operating discipline, and continuous improvement maturity. The Area Continuous Improvement Leader works through plant leadership teams and functional partners to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, reliability, and energy outcomes. The impact of this role is measured through the successful deployment and sustainment of GMF, execution of strategic improvement plans, delivery and tracking of cost reduction initiatives, improved problem-solving capability, and replication of best practices across assigned factories.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

35-40% travel required.

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field required; Master’s Degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, continuous improvement, or a related function, preferably in a multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results in safety, quality, productivity, cost reduction, reliability, energy, and operating discipline.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of Lean, Six Sigma, structured problem solving, root cause analysis, daily management systems, standard work, and waste elimination tools. 
• Experience coaching leaders and teams to build continuous improvement capability, strengthen accountability, and sustain performance improvements.
• Ability to analyze performance data, develop strategic improvement plans, track progress against commitments, and communicate results effectively to plant, area, and functional leadership. 
• Experience with GMF or similar manufacturing operating systems preferred.
• Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent continuous improvement certification preferred.

Additional Information

What We Offer:

Salary Range:  The expected salary range for this position is between $ 125,000 - $150,000  and includes a possible 15% quarterly incentive bonus. Actual pay will be adjusted based upon candidate experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

O-I offers a very generous benefit package – some of the highlights are: 

• Vacation time and paid holidays  
• Medical, dental, prescription and vision care coverage 
• Pre-tax accounts 
• Well-being program which includes opportunity to earn employer contributions 
• Life and AD&D Insurance 
• Disability Insurance 
• 401(k) retirement saving plans with employer contributions 
• Financial advisors to assist with retirement planning and financial wellness 
• Employee Assistance Program 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

O-I is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other protected category.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing hr.recruiters@o-i.com.