Continuous Improvement Manager

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE JOB:
This position is responsible for leading and driving Continuous Improvement, Automation, Digitalization, and Operational Excellence initiatives across AO Operations. The role serves as the key change agent to improve manufacturing productivity, quality, cost, delivery, and operational effectiveness through Lean Six Sigma, Digitalization & Industry 4.0 technologies, and Automation. The incumbent is responsible for identifying, developing and implementing strategic improvement programs that eliminate waste, optimize manufacturing processes, increase throughput, improve customer satisfaction, and support sustainable business growth.
In addition, this position leads automation projects and digital transformation initiatives, integrating manufacturing technologies, data analytics, smart factory solutions, and advanced process controls to enhance operational performance and competitiveness. The role also supports operational excellence within optics and photonics manufacturing environments by applying technical knowledge of optical manufacturing processes, precision assembly, testing, and high-mix/low-volume production systems.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1-Continuous Improvement Management - 50%
• Works with top management to identify Key System and Process Measures
• Assists top management in identifying opportunities for improvement, selection and scope.
• Works with top management to identify project leader and team member from cross function department.
• Assists top management in the execution of improving the Key Process Measures by using CI tools (Lean, Six Sigma, and CQI)
• Assists top management in driving CI initiatives through organizational design and prioritize per business strategies.
• Schedule and manage project DMAIC tollgate review to make sure projects meet target and due date.
• Drive FMEA, rootcause analysis, and corrective actions using 5 Why, RCA, and DMAIC.
• Work and support with CI project leaders to make sure projects success as finance target and due date.
• Monitors departmental KPI Objective, Continuous Improvement activities and visual displays on dashboard to make sure they are current and up-to date through the CI Champions.
• Support Project leader to coach team member for CI too( Lean, Six Sigma used Minitab and problem solving..). Driver of proactive tools to proactively identify problems before they exist.
• Develops & maintain System to collect improvement ideal included ideal submit, screening, implement and evaluate result.
• Create recognition system to recognize through ideation to project completion.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities throughout the manufacturing department by routinely studying, prioritizing, and selecting projects that leverage lean six sigma tools to drive improvements in key site KPIs.
• Facilitate advanced problem solving and analysis of specific improvement opportunities leading to the implementation of effective sustainable solutions
• Promote the use of data and metrics for identifying improvement opportunities and problem-solving activities
• Coach and mentor lean six sigma Project Leaders to complete projects by identifying and eliminating barriers
• Engage teams as a Change Agent to help establish a Continuous Improvement culture and execute advanced problem-solving activities
• Support design, development, and delivery of lean six sigma training and project execution
2-Innovation, Digitalization & Industrial 4.0 - 20%
• Direct and oversee the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of strategic plans for digitalisation and automation to support the smart enterprise development.
• Drive the effort to develop and improve the data visualisation of the company by using both current systems and new systems such as Power BI.
• Lead the use of agile, data-driven, and digital solutions to address the human factors that affect an organization's capacity to achieve its strategic goals.
• Develop the overall digital transformation strategy and specific plan(s) for the full lifecycle of technical implementation and new technology initiatives using the company's exclusive methodology and tools.
• Control the group in charge of creating and implementing user acceptance campaigns for initiatives including technical implementations, digitization, and emerging technologies.
• Conduct assessments of corporate culture, performance, and change readiness while leading one or more teams to build and implement digital, data visualizations of our work products for customers.
• Define prospects for future learning that will allow the application of digital transformational technologies.
• Inform corporate audiences about concepts related to digital enablement.
• Humanize the cultural ramifications of the switch to cloud technology.
• Build and execute a manufacturing digitalization strategy aligned with Coherent global.
• Introduce and scale technologies such as:
• MES / traceability systems
• Realtime production dashboards
• Automated data collection
• AIbased inspection or process monitoring
• Predictive maintenance for key optics equipment
• Pilot new digital/automation solutions and scale successful initiatives.
3-Automation, Production Industrial Engineering - 20%
• Optimize manual, semiautomated, and automated processes to improve productivity, quality, and repeatability.
• Maintain Standard Work, time studies, line balancing, and capacity models for stable operations and scaling.
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and improve cycle time, yield, layout, and material flow.
• Work crossfunctionally with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Automation to ensure stable pilot builds, smooth rampup, and consistent output.
• Develop and execute the automation roadmap from manual to full automation.
• Drive automation across grinding, polishing, coating, inspection, and material handling.
• Assess processes and build ROI-based automation proposals.
• Co-develop scalable automation solutions with Engineering & Production.
• Lead end-to-end automation projects from concept to stabilization.
• Manage integrators and vendors to ensure safety, quality, and operational fit.
• Track post-deployment performance to deliver productivity and quality gains.
4-Project Management - 10%
• Lead strategic projects across Automation, CI, and Digitalization.
• Define project scope, charter, timelines, resources, and budgets.
• Coordinate crossfunctional teams including Production, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and IT.
• Track milestones, risks, deliverables, and provide executive updates.
• Ensure projects meet intended performance outcomes and are delivered on time.