Continuous Improvement Manager

We’re on a mission to make healthcare safer. Daniels Health provides reusable medical waste containers designed to reduce needlestick injuries and support sustainability. After use, we professionally clean and sanitize each container for reuse, while responsibly disposing of medical waste at our treatment facilities. Our closed-loop system ensures safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility for our customers. The Continuous Improvement Manager (CIM) will lead strategic and hands-on initiatives that drive efficiency, cost reduction, and process optimization across Daniels Health’s U.S. operations, including plants and transfer stations. Based remotely, this role travels to partner closely with regional and local operations leadership, as well as local and national Maintenance and Engineering teams, to identify and execute practical, sustainable improvements that enhance operational performance. The CIM focuses on the practical application of Lean, continuous improvement, and industrial engineering principles, delivering measurable results in productivity, safety, quality, and cost efficiency while fostering a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and accountability. What You'll Do: Apply Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and other structured problem-solving methodologies to eliminate waste, and drive measurable cost savings. Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance across processing plants and transfer stations. Teach, lead, and develop capabilities within cross-functional teams on loss elimination tools and methodology. Influence and engage individuals at all organizational levels — from frontline team members to senior leaders — to participate in ideation, active problem-solving, prioritization, solution development, testing, and full-scale deployment. Coach and train site teams on Lean principles, structured problem-solving, and root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., PDCA, DMAIC, AMD, Loss Analysis, 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone). Develop internal CI champions and sustainment mechanisms to ensure long-term success of initiatives. Support process design improvements, automation projects, and infrastructure optimization initiatives that reduce costs and increase throughput. Partner with regional and site leadership to drive initiatives that lower operational expenses through improved process efficiency, waste minimization, and resource optimization. Reinforce data-driven decision-making and evidence-based validation as standard practice for solution development and deployment. Develop and standardize best practices that improve reliability, reduce variability, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Work with regional operations leadership to prioritize and execute improvement initiatives that align with regional and national objectives. Collaborate with local and national Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and enhance asset utilization. Travel approximately 50% of the time to different business units. Must-Have Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or equivalent experience Minimum of 5 years of experience in continuous improvement, process engineering, or operational excellence roles in manufacturing, logistics, or industrial environments Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification Proven experience applying structured problem-solving approaches such as PDCA, DMAIC, DFSS, or 8D within a manufacturing or distribution setting Demonstrated success in implementing structured loss elimination projects that delivered measurable cost savings Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels Proven ability to lead change across multi-site or regional operations Comfortable with hands-on work in plant and transfer station environments Experience collaborating with engineering and maintenance teams on process optimization projects Nice-To-Have Qualifications: Background in a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) environment (or equivalent framework) Experience in healthcare, environmental services, food & beverage, or other regulated industries Familiarity with ERP systems and analytics tools (e.g., SAP, Power BI, Tableau) Why Daniels: Industry Leader: Over 20 years of excellence in medical waste management with top-tier NPS and delivery-reliability scores 401K Matching: 50% employer match on up to 6% contribution (up to 3% employer contribution), with match starting Day 1, 5-year vesting schedule Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage effective Day 1; paid short-term disability; company-sponsored life insurance; and more Job Stability: As an essential healthcare service provider, we’re recession-proof and non-seasonal Empowering, visionary culture: We think differently, act boldly, and value authenticity, creativity, and trust. Our team thrives on innovation, agility, and purpose-driven work, where every unique talent contributes to meaningful impact in healthcare Ready to Apply? We’d love to hear from you! Click “Apply” to start your journey with Daniels Health. Our hiring process includes a brief video screen, Predictive Index Assessment, and two rounds of virtual interviews. We’re excited to meet candidates who are passionate about service and eager to grow. Daniels Health & Sharpsmart is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Daniels Health & Sharpsmart prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Daniels Health & Sharpsmart  conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.