Continuous Improvement Specialist - Manufacturing bei Kadant Carmanah

Are you ready to dive into the exciting and innovative world of Engineered Wood?

Kadant Carmanah Design is a global leader in designing and manufacturing equipment for the Engineered Wood products industry. We are the largest supplier of Stranders used in producing Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and other wood-based composites.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Operations Team as a Continuous Improvement Specialist - Manufacturing. We offer competitive salaries, bonuses, benefits, and an outstanding work-life balance.

We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist with a solid background in lean principles, problem-solving tools, and practical manufacturing experience. Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Manager, this role is responsible for driving a culture of operational excellence through cost optimization, consistent product quality, reliable delivery performance, and enhanced safety.

The CI Specialist will lead initiatives such as 5S, standardized work instructions, and root cause analysis while promoting efficiency, standardization, and process optimization across the shop floor. Your hands-on knowledge of fabrication, machining, and technical drawings—combined with a passion for problem-solving and curiosity—will help standardize processes, boost efficiency, and engage employees in sustainable improvements.

• Lead and facilitate 5S initiatives to create and sustain organized, safe, and efficient work areas.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain work instructions and visual standards to ensure consistent training and process adherence.
• Champion safety, quality, and productivity improvements throughout the facility.
• Conduct root cause analysis on process deviations, quality issues, and production inefficiencies; implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with operators, supervisors, and engineering teams to identify improvement opportunities and support Kaizen activities.
• Provide training and coaching to employees at all levels on continuous improvement tools and methodologies.
• Support audits and compliance activities to ensure processes meet internal and external standards.
• Champion a culture of curiosity and learning, encouraging employees to ask “why” and challenge the status quo in a constructive way.

• Proven experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean, or Operational Excellence roles (manufacturing environment required).
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, and other CI tools.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and manufacturing specifications.
• Hands-on background in manufacturing processes such as welding, machining (CNC), or fabrication.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or related methodologies (Green Belt preferred) is considered an asset.

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative and approachable, able to engage unionized and non-unionized teams.
• Practical mindset with the ability to move from analysis to action.
• Strong initiative and adaptability in a dynamic shop-floor environment.
• Committed to fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Competencies

• Curiosity: Eager to learn, question processes, and explore new solutions.
• Collaboration: Works well with diverse teams, listens actively, and builds trust.
• Initiative: Proactively identifies improvement opportunities without waiting to be asked.
• Detail Orientation: Ensures work instructions and process documentation are clear and accurate.
• Resilience: Able to adapt to change, manage multiple priorities, and maintain a positive outlook