Principal Engineer - Continuous Improvement Lead

Career Category

Engineering

Job Description

The Principal Engineer, Continuous Improvement Lead is responsible for governing and coordinating enterprise improvement initiatives that drive disciplined execution, operational excellence, and measurable value across Engineering, Facilities, and EHS processes, systems, and data capabilities.

Reporting to the Director, Engineering Systems, Technology & Reporting, this role identifies improvement opportunities through performance insights, benchmarking, and innovation scouting; translates best practices into scalable programs that enhance operational performance; and ensures standardization as well as long-term organizational effectiveness.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Governs and coordinates enterprise improvement initiatives to ensure disciplined execution and value delivery.
• Drives sustained performance improvement and operational excellence across Engineering processes, systems, and data.
• Identifies improvement opportunities using operational insights, analytics, and performance data.
• Manages the intake, prioritization, and sequencing of improvement initiatives based on risk, impact, and strategic alignment.
• Leads structured problem-solving efforts using Lean, Continuous Improvement, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Develops and executes improvement initiatives with clear business cases, success metrics, and measurable outcomes.
• Manages dependencies, risks, and timelines associated with cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Tracks initiative execution and ensures benefits are realized and sustained through effective adoption of improvements.
• Enables consistent adoption of standards, best practices, and optimized processes across teams and sites.
• Facilitates stakeholder engagement and executive communication to drive alignment and accountability.
• Conducts benchmarking and innovation scouting of internal and external practices, tools, and technologies.
• Translates insights into scalable improvement programs that enhance operational efficiency and performance.
• Supports change management and process optimization efforts to embed improvements and sustain results.
• Partners with Engineering, Technology, analytics, and business teams to ensure improvements are appropriately integrated into systems, processes, and governance frameworks.

What we expect of you

PREFERRED/GOOD TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with more than 12 - 17 years of experience
• Experience leading Lean, Six Sigma, and structured Continuous Improvement programs across operations, systems, or business processes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify improvement opportunities using operational data and performance metrics.
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation or operational excellence initiatives.
• Familiarity with process improvement tools such as value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and process optimization frameworks.
• Experience developing business cases and tracking benefits realization for improvement initiatives.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical, system, or data-driven topics to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional, and fast-paced global environment.
• Proven experience managing multiple priorities, interdependencies, and competing demands while maintaining strong execution discipline.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills, including the ability to lead outcomes of extended teams without direct reporting authority over team members.  
• Experience partnering with Technology, Operations, Quality, Compliance, and Business stakeholders in regulated environments.
• Data-driven mindset with experience using metrics, analytics, or insights to guide decisions and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated capability to support change management, user adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience working across regions and time zones with cultural awareness and adaptability.

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