Continuous Improvement Leader

JOB DESCRIPTION

Ketjen is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader to advance operational excellence, productivity, and continuous improvement across the global organization. Reporting to the Senior Continuous Improvement Manager, this role will partner with leaders and cross-functional teams to identify, prioritize, execute, and sustain high-impact improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate will lead projects from concept through implementation, deliver measurable business results, and help embed continuous improvement into the way Ketjen operates.

KEY JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Lead the identification, prioritization, and execution of Continuous Improvement initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in safety, productivity, cost, quality, service, working capital, and overall business performance.

•  Develop and execute CI strategies and roadmaps aligned with Ketjen’s business objectives.

•  Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Technology, Finance, Procurement, and other functions to identify opportunities, prioritize resources, and build a pipeline of high-value initiatives.

•  Conduct value stream assessments, process analyses, and root cause investigations to identify and quantify improvement opportunities.

•  Lead complex, cross-functional projects using Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, structured problem-solving, and other CI methodologies.

•  Coach and mentor CI Champions, project leaders, Green Belts, and functional teams to strengthen execution capabilities and sustain project results.

•  Lead change management efforts that build stakeholder commitment, address resistance, and support the adoption of new processes and behaviors.

•  Establish portfolio governance, project management disciplines, and stage-gate reviews to ensure initiatives remain aligned, appropriately resourced, and effectively executed.

•  Develop organizational CI capability through training, mentoring, knowledge sharing, and certification programs.

•  Establish and monitor KPIs to measure project performance, financial benefits, productivity improvements, and sustainability.

•  Manage CI portfolio reporting and provide leadership with clear visibility into project status, risks, results, and business impact.

•  Partner with Finance to validate project savings, productivity gains, working capital improvements, and other realized benefits.

•  Collaborate with global stakeholders to share best practices, replicate successful improvements, and integrate CI principles into daily operations.

•  Champion a culture of accountability, collaboration, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement consistent with Ketjen’s core values.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Project Management, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

•  Minimum of five years of experience leading Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or business transformation initiatives in a manufacturing, chemical, petrochemical, refining, or related industrial environment.

•  Demonstrated project or program management experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, cost, quality, service, or working capital.

•  Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification required; Black Belt certification preferred.

•  Proven ability to influence, coach, and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.

•  Experience leading complex initiatives involving technical, operational, and organizational change.

•  Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

•  Experience with KPI management, performance reporting, and financial benefit validation.

•  Ability to work effectively within a global, cross-functional organization.

•  Strong alignment with Ketjen’s core values: Respect, Engage Openly, Speed & Agility, Ultimate Ownership, Lead for Results, Teamwork, and Strong Performance Rewarded.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

•  Experience with digital transformation, automation, process mining, analytics, AI, or other technology-enabled improvement solutions.

•  Experience leading enterprise-wide, global, or multi-site CI programs.

•  Demonstrated success influencing global, cross-functional teams through indirect leadership and collaboration.

•  Proven ability to lead organizational change and sustain business improvements across functions and locations.