European Lean Six Sigma MFG Excellence Mgr

Who We Are: 

For over forty years, Lakeland Fire + Safety has provided quality protective solutions for the most critical applications, answering the call to protect the world’s workers, first responders, and communities. Lakeland Fire + Safety is a global manufacturer of personal protective equipment, apparel and accessories with a Head-to-Toe portfolio of brands that protect the world’s workers, first responders, and communities during the most critical situations.

About the Role:

The European Lean Six Sigma Manufacturing Excellence Manager is responsible for leading and driving continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations within the European region. This role focuses on implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies to enhance process efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality, thereby supporting the organization's operational excellence goals. The manager will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including production, engineering, quality, and supply chain to identify improvement opportunities and deploy best practices. They will also mentor and develop Lean Six Sigma practitioners and champions throughout the organization to build a culture of continuous improvement. Ultimately, this position aims to deliver measurable business results by optimizing manufacturing processes and fostering innovation in operational practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with proven experience leading complex improvement projects.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations or continuous improvement roles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proficiency in data analysis tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or MBA.
• Experience working in a multinational manufacturing environment within Europe.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as ISO, TPM, and operational excellence frameworks.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools.
• Multilingual capabilities, particularly in major European languages.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the deployment and execution of Lean Six Sigma projects across multiple manufacturing sites in Europe to drive operational improvements.
• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and quality issues, and develop data-driven solutions.
• Coach and mentor Green Belt and Black Belt practitioners, providing guidance on project selection, methodology, and execution.
• Collaborate with site leadership and cross-functional teams to align continuous improvement initiatives with business objectives.
• Develop and deliver training programs to build Lean Six Sigma capabilities and promote a culture of operational excellence.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators related to manufacturing efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
• Facilitate workshops and Kaizen events to engage employees at all levels in problem-solving and process improvement.
• Ensure compliance with corporate standards and regulatory requirements while implementing process changes.

Skills:

The required skills such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification and strong analytical abilities are applied daily to identify root causes of manufacturing inefficiencies and to design robust solutions that improve process performance. Communication and interpersonal skills are essential for leading cross-functional teams, facilitating workshops, and mentoring practitioners to ensure successful project outcomes. Preferred skills like familiarity with industry standards and project management enhance the manager’s ability to align improvement initiatives with regulatory requirements and strategic business goals. Multilingual capabilities support effective collaboration across diverse European sites, fostering engagement and knowledge sharing. Together, these skills enable the manager to drive sustainable operational excellence and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing network.