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Manager Continuous Improvement

Generac · Janesville, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 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

Walk me through a Kaizen event you led from start to finish. What was the problem, what did the team try, and what actually stuck six months later?

What they are checking: whether they can drive change that survives past the event itself, not just a good week

Tell me about a time you rolled out a Lean operating system, like GOS or something similar, across more than one site. What was different site to site and how did you adjust?

What they are checking: experience scaling a standardized system across varied local cultures and constraints

Tell me about the toughest person you've had to coach on your team of CI coordinators. What was the issue and how did it end up?

What they are checking: people leadership ability with a team of up to 10, especially handling underperformance

Tell me about a time your root cause analysis pointed to something different than what everyone assumed going in. How did you convince the team?

What they are checking: rigor in problem solving and comfort challenging assumptions with data

Tell me about a time you had to build a business case for a change that had upfront cost but a longer-term payoff. How did you get buy-in?

What they are checking: ability to sell improvement work in terms of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement

What would you do

Say you inherit a distribution facility where 5S was implemented a year ago and it's already falling apart. What's your first move?

What they are checking: whether they diagnose sustainment failure rather than just re-running the same training

A plant manager tells you Kaizen events are a waste of production time and pushes back on scheduling one. How do you handle that conversation?

What they are checking: ability to influence peers and site leadership without formal authority over them

If corporate CI wants one standard approach applied enterprise-wide but a site's leadership wants to adapt it for their local constraints, how do you navigate that?

What they are checking: judgment balancing standardization with local ownership, a known tension in multi-site rollouts

How do you decide which of your ten coordinators to send where, and how do you keep them growing instead of just executing tasks?

What they are checking: development mindset and resource allocation as a people manager, not just a project manager

About the work

How would you use value stream mapping to find waste in a distribution center's inbound-to-outbound flow, versus a manufacturing line?

What they are checking: real grasp of Lean tools applied to distribution, not just manufacturing textbook knowledge

Explain how you'd set up a Kanban system and PFEP for a distribution center with variable demand. What data do you need first?

What they are checking: depth on material flow tools beyond buzzwords

Describe a SMED or TPM project you ran. What was the baseline, what changed, and how did you measure success?

What they are checking: whether they can quantify improvement with real metrics, not just anecdote

How have you used SAP or a similar ERP system to support a continuous improvement project?

What they are checking: practical fluency with the systems that generate the data CI work depends on

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The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and leading high-performing teams? As a Manager, Continuous Improvement, you'll play a key role in advancing the Generac Operating System (GOS) across our distribution network. You'll lead a team of Continuous Improvement Coordinators, champion Lean transformation initiatives, and partner with operations leaders to create safer, more efficient, and scalable processes that deliver measurable business results. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: • Lead and execute continuous improvement strategies, projects, and Kaizen events within distribution operations. • Coach and mentor teams in Lean methodologies including Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, TPM, SMED, and Root Cause Problem Solving. • Drive implementation and sustainability of the Generac Operating System (GOS) across distribution facilities. • Lead, develop, and inspire a team of up to 10 Continuous Improvement Coordinators. • Deliver hands-on training that equips teams to identify waste, improve productivity, and enhance operational performance. • Partner with site leadership to implement strategic initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. • Share best practices and collaborate with corporate Continuous Improvement teams to drive enterprise-wide success. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field; equivalent experience considered. • 5+ years of Continuous Improvement, Lean, or Operational Excellence experience in manufacturing or distribution environments. • 3+ years of people leadership experience. • Experience with Toyota Production System, Danaher Business System, Shingo principles, or similar Lean operating systems. • PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Proven success leading Lean transformation initiatives and process improvement programs. • Lean, Operations, or Supply Chain certifications. • Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems. • Strong understanding of flow principles, Kanban, PFEP, and material flow optimization. • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and drive organizational change. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: • Innovative mindset with the ability to challenge traditional processes and drive meaningful change. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on sustainable results. • Exceptional coaching, communication, and leadership capabilities. • Ability to influence across all levels of the organization and build strong cross-functional partnerships. • Results-driven leader focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. Why Join Generac? At Generac, you'll have the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives that transform operations while developing people and processes. Join a team that values innovation, continuous improvement, and making a real difference across a growing global organization. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel. “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

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