Continuous Improvement Engineer (II or III)

Turck Inc • Plymouth, MN

18h

About The Position

Are you passionate about improving manufacturing processes? Join Turck, a global leader in industrial automation, as a Continuous Improvement Engineer (II or III) and make an impact by advancing operational excellence by identifying and executing process improvement opportunities, leading Kaizen events, conducting value stream mapping, and managing complex improvement initiatives. This role applies Lean, Six Sigma, and advanced CI methodologies to reduce waste, enhance quality, and improve operational efficiency across U.S. manufacturing and business processes at Turck Inc.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

This role is accountable for planning, facilitating, and implementing engineering‑level continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities include leading enterprise-wide value stream transformations, managing cross-functional Kaizen events, and executing improvement projects that deliver measurable and sustainable results. The engineer collaborates closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, and other key functional groups to reduce costs, strengthen the organization’s lean culture, and support an automation-driven environment.

Requirements

• For Level II:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field
• 4-7 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, process improvement, or process engineering
• Solid understanding of Lean, Six Sigma and CI tools
• For Level III:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field (master’s preferred)
• 8–12 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, process improvement, or engineering leadership
• Advanced knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and CI tools
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification and experience facilitating Kaizen events

Responsibilities

• CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT EXECUTION
• Apply advanced Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and CI methodologies to optimize manufacturing and business processes.
• Conduct Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to identify waste, bottlenecks, and systemic improvement opportunities.
• Lead enterprise-wide or multi-site value stream transformations and systemic improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation of standardized work, visual management systems, and long-term sustainability mechanisms.
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Develop detailed project charters, timelines, and resource plans for CI initiatives.
• Document projects, establish baseline metrics, define measurable objectives, and track performance to targets.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including action items, updates, and leadership-ready reports.
• Verify effectiveness of improvements through follow-up audits and sustainment checks.
• Build and quantify financial business cases; manage large capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets tied to CI improvements.
• Partner with Finance to validate financial impact on site P&L.
• Apply Change Management methodologies (e.g., ADKAR, Kotter) to ensure adoption and long-term sustainability of new processes.
• TRAINING & SUPPORT
• Deliver foundational CI training and coaching to team members and shop floor employees.
• Promote and reinforce Lean principles to sustain a culture of continuous improvement.
• Facilitate engagement through CI workshops, hands-on team activities, and Kaizen events.
• Mentor Engineer I/II employees and conduct “Train the Trainer” sessions on Lean Leadership and advanced problem-solving.
• DATA ANALYSIS & KPI REPORTING
• Collect and analyze process data using statistical tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP) and visualization platforms (e.g., PowerBI).
• Prepare reports and presentations that communicate analyses, insights, and results to stakeholders.
• Track and report critical KPIs, including cost savings, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), and defect reduction.
• CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to align on and execute improvement strategies.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to promote CI initiatives and share best practices across Turck sites.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between executive leadership and plant operations to align CI projects with business objectives and long-term strategies.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Stay current with CI methodologies, industrial automation trends, and industry standards through ongoing training and certifications.
• Participate in professional organizations and continue building technical and leadership expertise.
• OTHER DUTIES
• Perform additional engineering and process improvement responsibilities as assigned by management.

Benefits

• Premium Health & Dental Insurance - Above‑market employer contributions with competitive plan designs and an on-site healthcare clinician
• Company‑Paid Life Insurance - Coverage equal to 1.5× your annual salary
• Disability Protection - 100% short‑term disability coverage plus long‑term disability support
• Retirement Security - 401(k) with employer match and profit sharing
• Generous Time Off - PTO, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling to support work‑life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level