Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. Join us.
The Manager Global Function Lean Transformation supports the expansion of the Itron Production System (IPS) and Itron Performance Management System (IPMS) across Global Operations functions, including Procurement, Supply Chain Operations, Supply Chain Analytics, Quality, PMO, and related support functions. This role partners with functional leaders and Global Lean leadership to translate business priorities and KPI gaps into structured improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies, including A3 problem solving, Kaizen, process mapping, standard work, visual management, and sustainment routines.
This position helps build practical problem-solving capability across global functions, improve end-to-end process performance, strengthen accountability, and support disciplined execution of improvement activities. Functional leaders retain ownership of business outcomes while this role provides coaching, deployment support, Lean expertise, and follow-through mechanisms that help ensure sustainable results.
Duties & Responsibilities
Global Function Lean Deployment
- Support the deployment and adoption of IPS and IPMS methodologies across Procurement, Supply Chain Operations, Quality, PMO, Supply Chain Analytics, and related Global Operations functions.
- Collaborate with functional leaders to identify improvement opportunities aligned with business priorities, customer needs, and operational objectives.
- Promote a customer-centric approach by connecting improvement efforts to quality, delivery, operational excellence, and business value.
Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
- Coach and mentor teams on Lean principles and problem-solving methodologies, including A3 thinking, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), 5 Whys, Fishbone analysis, Pareto analysis, SIPOC, process mapping, standard work, and Kaizen.
- Partner with stakeholders to translate KPI gaps into clear problem statements, root causes, corrective actions, ownership plans, target completion dates, and sustainment activities.
- Encourage innovative thinking and disciplined experimentation to improve business processes and outcomes.
Kaizen Planning and Execution
- Coordinate planning, facilitation support, execution tracking, and follow-up activities for Kaizen events aligned to measurable business objectives.
- Support teams through improvement events and ensure actions are documented, assigned, and monitored through completion.
- Drive accountability through structured follow-up and progress reviews.
Sustainment and Operational Excellence
- Support the integration of improvements into standard work, visual management systems, tier management routines, control plans, and operational reviews.
- Help establish mechanisms that reinforce sustainable improvements and continuous learning.
- Monitor adoption and effectiveness of deployed improvements and recommend corrective actions when needed.
Capability Building and Coaching
- Deliver training, coaching, and mentoring to functional teams, project leaders, and Lean practitioners.
- Build organizational capability by developing practical problem-solving skills and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Create and maintain reusable Lean playbooks, tools, and best practices that can be consistently applied across regions, sites, and functions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate effectively across Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, PMO, Manufacturing Operations, and other business functions.
- Support alignment and coordination when improvement opportunities span multiple teams, processes, or regions.
- Build authentic and collaborative relationships that enable effective execution in a matrixed global environment.
Communication and Reporting
- Prepare and deliver clear updates on improvement progress, risks, mitigation actions, capability development, adoption, and sustainment metrics.
- Present findings and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders with clarity, transparency, and professionalism.
- Support governance processes and deployment reviews through accurate reporting and communication.
Required Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Quality, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
- Minimum of 6 years of experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, PMO, or business process improvement.
- Practical experience applying Lean methodologies and tools, including A3 problem solving, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, Fishbone analysis, Pareto analysis, SIPOC, process mapping, standard work, and visual management.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Practitioner certification, or equivalent Continuous Improvement certification preferred.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or advanced Lean training is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to support and coordinate cross-functional improvement initiatives within a matrixed organization.
- Strong facilitation, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience translating business challenges and KPI gaps into actionable improvement plans with measurable outcomes.
- Proven ability to coach teams and develop sustainable problem-solving capability.
- Ability to balance accountability, collaboration, and agility while supporting multiple stakeholders and business priorities.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work environment.
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Experience supporting multi-site, regional, or global improvement initiatives.
- Experience improving transactional and functional processes within Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, PMO, or related business functions.
- Experience supporting Lean transformations and continuous improvement deployments outside of manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of performance management systems, visual management practices, and operational governance processes.
- Demonstrated success influencing change and driving adoption across diverse teams and global organizations.
- Experience developing Lean playbooks, training materials, and capability-building programs.
Work Arrangement & Travel
- Hybrid work arrangement with office presence aligned to Itron business requirements and location expectations.
- Remote work arrangements may be considered in accordance with established company policies and approval processes.
- Regional and global travel may be required to support workshops, Kaizen events, deployment reviews, stakeholder alignment activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Benefits Info:
This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, hybrid work schedule, and more! This position is eligible for our annual bonus program. This position is eligible for our annual equity grant program.
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Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!
The successful candidate's starting wage will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.
Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email Accessibility@itron.com.
Itron is transforming how the world manages energy, water and city services. Our trusted intelligent infrastructure solutions help utilities and cities improve efficiency, build resilience and deliver safe, reliable and affordable service. With edge intelligence, we connect people, data insights and devices so communities can better manage the essential resources they rely on to live. Join us as we create a more resourceful world: www.itron.com
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