Continuous Improvement Lead

Come Innovate Motion with Us

As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you will provide leadership and strategic direction for Continuous Improvement (CI) and transformation initiatives across the JE Izmir site. You will drive end-to-end CI project management, ensure alignment with production and business objectives, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

You will lead Lean and Kaizen projects, coach cross-functional teams, and manage the implementation of best practices to achieve measurable performance improvement. This position plays a key role in transforming processes, increasing efficiency, and sustaining results through data-driven methodologies.

Your responsibilities will be to:

Lead, plan, and execute Continuous Improvement projects in alignment with site and corporate strategies.

Coordinate and monitor project progress across departments such as Production, Process, Quality, Warehouse, Purchasing, and Maintenance, ensuring alignment with site objectives, timelines, and targets. This role does not directly execute technical projects, but focuses on analyzing project outcomes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and reporting key insights to the Site Director.

Oversee the suggestion system, ensure implementation and follow-up, and provide related training.

Coach and mentor CI teams in Lean tools, problem-solving, and Kaizen methodologies.

Support FMEA and Change Management processes through structured analysis and documentation.

Manage SMES and OA reporting, track key performance indicators, and ensure accurate daily, weekly, and monthly reporting.

Collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering, and other departments to identify improvement opportunities and standardize best practices.

Ensure compliance with ISO 45001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, Johnson Electric policies, and customer-specific requirements.

Actively contributes to safety and environmental improvement activities, ensuring nonconformities and risks are identified, analyzed, and addressed.

Our requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing and/or continuous improvement, preferably within the automotive industry.

Proven track record of leading CI or transformation projects using Lean and Kaizen methodologies.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach.

Excellent command of English (both written and spoken).

Ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and drive cultural change

Strong communication and presentation skills

What we offer:

A truly international and multicultural work environment, in a company listed among top 500 industrial enterprises in Turkey

Opportunities to lead high-impact transformation projects and shape the site’s CI culture

Private health insurance which includes family members

Local pension plan

Various allowance benefits

Come join our global, inclusive & diverse team

Our purpose is to improve the quality of life of everyone we touch through our innovative motion systems. We are a truly global team bound together by our shared values. Our culture is built on the diversity, knowledge, skills, creativity, and talents that each employee brings to the company. Our people are our company’s most valuable asset. We are committed to providing an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where employees of different backgrounds feel valued and respected, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity or religious background. We are committed to inspiring our employees to grow, act with ownership and find fulfilment and meaning in the work they do.

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