About

• Description
• Goodwill Industries of New Mexico is seeking a proactive and experienced Kaizen Manager to lead continuous improvement initiatives across our organization. This role offers an exciting opportunity to drive operational excellence, foster a culture of innovation, and enhance overall efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in process improvement, team leadership, and a passion for developing sustainable solutions.

Position Expectations

• Develop and lead Kaizen and process improvement initiatives across the agency and multiple departments including Administration, Retail, Transportation, Warehouse, Salvage, and E-Commerce Operations.
• Facilitate workshops, root-cause analyses, and continuous improvement events to drive efficiency, standardization, and cost reduction.
• Collaborate with department leaders to identify, design, and execute improvement projects that align with operational and strategic goals.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by training and mentoring employees on Lean and Kaizen principles in practical, hands-on way.
• Identify and eliminate waste in workflows and operational processes.
• Conduct process audits and follow-up reviews to ensure sustainability of implemented improvements.
• Support leadership in establishing standardized procedures and visual management systems.
• Communicate results and progress to executive leadership through data-driven reporting.

Essential Duties

• Lead planning and facilitation of Kaizen events, improvement teams, and daily management activities.
• Collect and analyze data to identify inefficiencies and process bottlenecks.
• Partner with managers to implement best practices that improve productivity, quality, and safety.
• Prepare documentation, SOPs, and process maps for standardized execution.
• Maintain alignment of continuous improvement activities with GINM’s strategic goals.
• Conduct facility inspections to ensure safety and operational readiness.
• Ensure CARF, HIPAA and corporate compliance.
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
• Serve as a change agent by modeling leadership behaviors that inspire engagement and innovation.
• Work with Corporate Trainer to integrate continuous improvement principles into GoodGrowth content and provide appropriate training.
• Performs other duties as required and assigned.

• Requirements

Job-Specific Competencies

• Strong understanding of continuous improvement and Kaizen methodologies.
• Proven ability to identify problems, analyze data, and implement solutions.
• Ability to analyze operational data and optimize workflow.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and warehouse management systems.
• Experience in operations, logistics, retail, warehouse, or e-commerce management preferred.
• Ability to foster collaboration across multiple departments.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• The employee is regularly required to use hands, fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and see, talk and hear. Frequently required to sit, walk, and stand. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and lift/move up to 25 lbs. May be exposed to outside weather conditions. Mental demands are characteristic of support function jobs. Specific vision abilities include color vision, depth perception, distance vision, and peripheral vision.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and guidance through collaboration and influence across departments. The Kaizen Manager partners with operational and departmental leaders to drive process improvement initiatives, enhance accountability, and ensure continuous improvement objectives are achieved. This role serves as a mentor and facilitator, fostering teamwork and alignment without formal reporting relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and or abilities required for the position. Individuals must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test. Individuals must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license, liability insurance, insurability under the agency insurance carrier, dependable vehicle and a clean driving record.
• High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, Supply Chain or Quality Management plus a minimum of three years of supervisory experience. A combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Certification and at least three (3) years of demonstrated training in Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.