Continuous Improvement Specialist

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Job Title: Continuous Improvement SpecialistDepartment: OperationsReports To: Global Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader – OperationsLocation: Holland (MI)

Position Overview:

The Continuous Improvement Specialist will support the implementation of the Xylem Production System at the factory of Holland (MI), contributing to continuous improvement across productivity, quality, cost, delivery, and Change Management. Reporting to the Global CI Leader – Operations, this role ensures effective deployment of Lean methodologies and helps drive steady, sustainable performance enhancement, including improvements in Factory Variable Conversion Costs.

Key Responsibilities

Xylem Production System Deployment

• Responsible for the deployment of the Xylem Production System at Site, ensuring and driving CI initiatives to deliver tangible and measurable  operational improvements in terms of SEQDCI
• Drive the development of VM-MDI processes to monitor performances and promote Problem Solving.

Methodology Implementation & Coaching

• Facilitate Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshops to identify improvement opportunities and support future-state planning.
• Support Creating Continuous Flow (CCF) initiatives that enhance process stability and efficiency.
• Implement Making Materials Flow (MMF) practices to improve material movement and inventory management.
• Develop and implement Visual and Daily Management at  T1, T2, and T3 levels to increase transparency and structured problem-solving.
• Lead the development and coaching of Standardized Work and Leaders Standard Work to promote process consistency and ensure execution consistency
• Train and support leaders in Leader Standard Work (LSW) to reinforce daily performance routines.
• Coach teams in the application of the 8-Step Problem Solving methodology to encourage disciplined, root-cause-focused improvement.

Continuous Improvement Projects

• Support CI projects and kaizen events aimed at improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and variable cost performance.
• Apply Lean tools (5S, SWk, LSW, CCF, MMF, VSM, VM-MDI, 8-Step Problem Solving) to promote sustainable improvements and Change Management.
• Assist with the monitoring and documentation of project outcomes.

Capability Building

• Deliver training and coaching Factory Leaders and Associates to build CI capability across the organization.
• Participate in CI maturity assessments and contribute to improvement roadmaps.

Collaboration & Change Leadership

• Align improvement activities with operational and business priorities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging engagement, problem-solving, and adoption of behaviours according with Xylem Visons and Values
• Support change management efforts to help teams adopt new processes and practices effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence.
• Knowledge and practical experience in Standardized Work, Leader Standard Work, and 8-Step Problem Solving.
• Hands-on experience with VSM, flow creation, material flow optimization, and tiered visual management systems (T1–T3).
• Lean or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Solid communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment. 

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation