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Lean Master

Donaldson · Baldwin, WI · Remote available · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the most complex improvement project you led using Lean or Six Sigma. What was the business result?

What they are checking: Whether they can deliver large, measurable business improvements, which the posting says they are accountable for.

How do you build a lean culture that lasts after you leave the plant?

What they are checking: Whether they focus on leader standard work and capability building rather than one-time kaizen events.

How do you design training for supervisors and operators so it sticks?

What they are checking: Whether they teach by doing on real problems, since delivering training is part of the role.

Tell me about a time a lean initiative you led failed. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they can reflect honestly and adjust their approach, which credibility with plant teams depends on.

What would you do

You will lead the Lean strategy across several plants in the region. How would you start in a plant where lean has never really taken hold?

What they are checking: Whether they begin by understanding the plant and building leadership buy-in before pushing tools.

A plant manager says lean is just extra meetings and his team is too busy. How do you work with him?

What they are checking: Whether they can win over skeptical leaders by tying lean to problems the manager already cares about.

You support an OPS Excellence team spread across EMEA, APAC, LATAM and AMER. How do you share what works across regions with different cultures?

What they are checking: Whether they can collaborate globally without forcing one region's approach on everyone.

The role is hybrid with regional and sometimes global travel. How do you stay effective with plants you cannot visit every week?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep momentum remotely through local champions and regular follow-up.

About the work

Walk me through how you would decide whether a problem needs a quick kaizen or a full DMAIC project.

What they are checking: Whether they match the method to the problem instead of applying heavy tools to everything.

What lean metrics would you track at the plant level to know the culture is changing, not just the numbers?

What they are checking: Whether they look at leading indicators like problem-solving participation alongside results.

How do you set up a value stream map for a plant and turn it into an action plan people actually follow?

What they are checking: Whether they can move from analysis to prioritized execution rather than producing maps that sit on a wall.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Donaldson.

Donaldson is committed to solving the world’s most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities. ​ In this position, the Lean Master will lead the implementation of the Lean strategy at multiple plants within the assigned region, working with plant managers to deliver training, create lean culture and set a lean structure within these plants. Facilitate and deliver significant-sized complex business improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma techniques to achieve long-term business strategies and develop a Lean culture. This position reports to the Senior Manager Operational Excellence Americas. As a Lean Master, you will support our OPS Excellence team, which is located in different regions (EMEA, APAC, LATAM, & AMER). The ideal candidate will sit in Bloomington or the surrounding area. This role is regionally based, with global travel where necessary. Qualified candidates must be able to work a hybrid schedule at our Bloomington, MN, Baldwin, WI or Cresco, IA office. • Accountable for delivering a highly complex business improvement using Lean (Six sigma) methodologies. Planning and leading lean training workshops for multiple sites including specialist lean topics such as value stream mapping, daily management’s, standard work, problem solving, material flow and 5S (Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain). • Plans, organises, conducts, & follows up on, Kaizen events- this may include tasks such as lead and participate in Kaizen events, organise financial impacts, document and update the funnel of activities, follow up on newspaper action items, and organise report outs. • Responsible for identifying business improvement projects within the organization and ensuring these are completed to schedule and deliver business benefits including tangible financial savings, safety improvements, reduced business risk and/or improved customer satisfaction. • Be available as specific subject matter expert to all organizational levels in the area of lean and continuous improvement. Mentor and coach teams across all sites in identifying business improvement projects within the organization. • Work to develop the current training materials and develop new training materials in line with lean methodologies to keep the business at the forefront of lean strategy and deployment. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Quality, or Engineering • Lean or Six Sigma certification • 10+ years of experience in manufacturing environment • A minimum of 3 years working exclusively with Lean (Six Sigma) • 70% travel required Preferred Qualifications: • Master's degree • Black Belt Certification • English fluent (both written and spoken), other regional languages are a plus. • Embraces personal challenge, is confident and self aware with an ability to influence people within all levels of the organization • Is resilient, assertive, optimistic and open to change, has an mature collaborative approach to others Annual Salary Range: 111,840 - $153,780. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to applicable work experience, training, education, and performance. Based on work location, geographic adjustment is included. Employee benefits are part of the competitive total rewards package that Donaldson Company, Inc. provides to you. Our comprehensive benefits program includes health benefits, retirement plan (401k), paid time away, paid leaves (including paid parental leave) and more. Immigration Sponsorship Not Available: • Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.). • Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. • International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered #LI-Hybrid Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability and Veterans Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States. Donaldson Company has been made aware that there are several recruiting scams that are targeting job seekers. These scams have attempted to solicit money for job applications and/or collect confidential information, Donaldson will never solicit money during the application or recruiting process. Donaldson only accepts online applications through our Careers | Donaldson Company, Inc. website and any communication from a Donaldson recruiter would be sent using a donaldson.com email address. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an employment opportunity, please reach out to talentacquisition@donaldson.com to verify that the communication is from Donaldson. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.

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