Advanced Drainage Systems

EEO Statement:

Advanced Drainage Systems is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Regional Continuous Improvement Leader

US-CA-Madera

Job ID: 2026-21398
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Quality and CI
Advanced Drainage Systems

Overview

Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions, committed to sustainability and innovation. With a vast manufacturing and distribution network, we deliver high-quality products across multiple industries while recycling over half a billion pounds of plastic annually. At ADS, we foster a culture where diverse perspectives drive better ideas, ensuring every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to make an impact.

Responsibilities

The Regional Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader is responsible for driving and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations. This role partners with plant, regional, and corporate leadership to improve performance in safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost through the application of Lean, Six Sigma, and ADS operating principles.

This position plays a key role in transforming the Continuous Improvement culture across the region by building leadership capability, driving standardization, and embedding disciplined problem-solving and daily management practices. The CI Leader is responsible for moving sites from event-based improvement to sustainable, process-driven performance aligned to the Green Line Operating System (GLOS).

The CI Leader collaborates closely with Operations, Safety, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and Human Resources to ensure alignment and successful implementation of improvement efforts.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Drive Continuous Improvement initiatives that support regional and corporate business objectives
• Partner with plant leadership to improve performance in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost
• Identify performance gaps using data (OEE, scrap, downtime, labor, and service metrics (OTIFNE) and develop action plans to address
• Lead efforts to transform the Continuous Improvement culture across the region by shifting from project-based improvements to disciplined, daily execution and accountability
• Partner with plant leadership to assess CI maturity, identify capability gaps, and develop targeted action plans
• Lead structured problem-solving efforts using root cause analysis tools to eliminate process variation
• Facilitate and coach teams in problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Why and A3
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement efforts
• Support the development, implementation, and sustainment of standard work across operations
• Promote standardization of processes, practices, and tools across facilities
• Drive adoption of Leader Standard Work and daily management systems
• Ensure improvements are sustained through standard work, visual management, and audits
• Coach and develop plant leadership teams in Lean principles, problem solving, standardization, and change management
• Deliver training programs to build CI capability across the region with a focus on scalability
• Implementation of lean principles through the deployment of the ADS Green Line Operating System (GLOS)
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support operational improvements
• Generate reports, lead meetings, and communicate CI progress
• Utilize project management tools to plan and execute initiatives

Job Skills:

• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement concepts
• Effective problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to influence and coach at all levels
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to lead change-management initiatives
• Facilitation and training capability
• Project management skills
• Cross-functional collaboration
• ERP and reporting tools knowledge
• Microsoft Office proficiency

Educational Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment (plastics preferred)
• Experience supporting or leading Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting a Lean or CI transformation

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations
• Experience advancing Lean maturity and standardization across sites
• Experience coaching and developing leaders

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment including hot and cold conditions
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to bend, twist, and reach
• Travel 50%+ across U.S. and Canada facilities

Leadership Competencies



EEO Statement

ADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

EEO StatementADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.



Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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