Sr Team Leader, Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Kamatics is seeking a Senior Team Lead, Operational Excellence who provides leadership, continuous improvement, and training support to process owners across Kamatics. This role leads and supports improvement initiatives, Kaizen events, and cross-functional projects utilizing Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and quality tools.

The Senior Team Lead coordinates employees participating in temporary assignments related to Kaizen activities, action items, and other improvement projects and helps drive sustainable improvements in safety, quality, cost, delivery, productivity, and operational performance. This position promotes a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and creative problem-solving throughout the organization.

About Kamatics: Kamatics is a global leader in high-performance bearings and engineered tribological solutions for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. Our team develops self-lubricating bearings and precision components that deliver durability, reliability, and performance in the harshest environments. We take pride in engineering excellence, collaborative problem solving, and a culture built on innovation and customer trust.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote, teach, support, and reinforce the principles and practices of the Kamatics Lean system throughout the organization.
• Plan and manage the schedule of Kaizen activities and coordinate the facilitation of Kaizen events across departments.
• Maintain Kaizen standard work, track action items, and communicate progress, results, and follow-up activities to appropriate stakeholders.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and quality tools to improve cost, product flow, throughput, productivity, quality, and delivery.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, waste reduction, workflow optimization, and increased operational efficiency.
• Coordinate and provide direction to employees assigned to Kaizen events, improvement projects, and related implementation activities.
• Partner with process owners and cross-functional teams to implement improvements and ensure changes are sustained.
• Coordinate Lean and continuous improvement training across the organization.
• Partner with the Technical Trainer to develop, revise, and maintain training materials and update the Learning Management System (LMS), as needed.
• Apply project management principles to improvement initiatives, including resource coordination, risk identification, action planning, and follow-through.
• Monitor the effectiveness of improvement initiatives and recommend additional actions when necessary to achieve desired results.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment and follow all applicable safety and environmental procedures and regulations. Report safety concerns or incidents as required.
• Support and contribute to 6S initiatives within assigned work areas.
• Provide a high level of service to internal and external customers and contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.
• Participate in training and cross-training activities as required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications: 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment; aerospace manufacturing experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with Lean manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and/or continuous improvement processes required.
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership, team lead, or project leadership experience required.
• Experience leading or facilitating Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement initiatives strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of Lean principles, continuous improvement concepts, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate Kaizen events and drive improvement initiatives from identification through implementation.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, facilitation, and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple functions and levels of the organization.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate resources, manage priorities, identify risks, and develop contingency plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on measurable results and sustainable improvements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including effective presentation, questioning, and active listening skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift and move materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Frequent computer use requiring sustained mental and visual attention.
• Frequent walking and standing within a manufacturing environment.
• Frequent sitting

Benefits:

At Kamatics, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

Kamatics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may contact Human Resources.

This position requires access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, as required by U.S. export control laws.