Lean Manager

Position Summary The Lean Manager is a senior continuous improvement professional responsible for leading complex Lean initiatives, targeted performance improvement efforts, and Parker Lean System deployment across assigned sites, value streams, or business-critical processes. This role serves as a senior Lean resource and primary point of contact for assigned site or multisite improvement initiatives. The Lean Manager applies expert knowledge of Parker Lean System methodologies, advanced problem solving, data analysis, change leadership, and business process improvement to drive measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and customer experience. This role leads large kaizen events, supports site performance recovery, coaches leaders and teams, and ensures that improvement activities are aligned with business strategy and sustained through disciplined management systems. The role exercises broad discretion and independent judgment in assessing business needs, determining improvement strategies, prioritizing initiatives, influencing leadership decisions, deploying Lean tools, and ensuring benefit realization. The role interacts with site, division, and functional leadership, as well as Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Quality, EHS, Human Resources, and other business partners. Responsibilities Parker Lean System Deployment, Ownership and Governance Serve as a senior subject matter expert in Parker Lean System methodologies and tools within assigned site, multisite, or division-supported initiatives. Lead development, documentation, deployment, and sustainment of PLS fundamentals, including standard work, 5S/6S, visual management, tiered daily management, leader standard work, strategy deployment, and daily accountability processes. Partner with and coach site leadership to drive strategy deployment activities, including data analysis, prioritization, goal alignment, project selection, portfolio tracking, kaizen chartering, and preparation. Ensure best practices are identified, standardized, scaled, and sustained across assigned value streams, sites, or business processes. Drive sustainment checks, countermeasure follow-up, escalation routines, and governance mechanisms to ensure improvement results are maintained. Support assigned sites or business units in achieving top-quartile performance through disciplined Lean deployment and execution. Event and Project Execution Lead large, complex kaizen events and business-critical improvement workshops from planning through execution, report-out, sustainment, and benefits validation. Determine appropriate improvement strategies, Lean tools, project structures, and analytical approaches based on business needs, operational complexity, and performance gaps. Apply expert Lean methods, including value stream mapping, flow/pull systems, standard work, SMED, TPM, visual management, kanban, error proofing, layout optimization, process redesign, and daily management systems. Drive value stream, site, or multisite continuous improvement projects to completion within agreed timelines, scope, and business objectives. Manage complex stakeholder groups, risks, barriers, resources, and action plans. Lead targeted improvement initiatives related to performance metric improvement, site performance recovery, operational turnaround support, customer-impacting issues, or other major business priorities. Ensure project benefits are validated, documented, and sustained in partnership with Operations, Finance, and site leadership. Problem Solving and Analytics Serve as an expert coach to leaders, practitioners, and cross-functional teams on structured problem-solving methods, including 5-Why, 10-step problem solving, PDCA, A3, root cause analysis, and DMAIC concepts. Analyze complex operational and business data to identify root causes, prioritize improvement opportunities, and recommend solutions. Evaluate data accuracy, trends, process …

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