Continuous Improvement Specialist

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for leading site-wide training governance, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and coordinating onboarding and capability-building activities across all functions. This role combines operational training ownership, Lean/Six Sigma coordination, and comprehensive management of site skill development systems. The Specialist ensures training standardization, supports CI cultural maturity, and collaborates closely with site leadership, supervisors, and new hires to ensure a capable and productive workforce.

Responsibilities

1. APEX / Continuous Improvement Administration

• Maintain and update APEX-related tools, dashboards, and training content.
• Track and report CI metrics, baselines, action items, and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate CI-related meetings, follow-up actions, and site-level improvement activities.
• Support standard work creation and sustainment for APEX processes.
• Partner with CI leadership to integrate improvements into training and onboarding.

2. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) & CI Program Support

• Organize and coordinate site Kaizen, Lean, and Six Sigma projects including logistics, scheduling, documentation, and follow-up.
• Support LSS training, refresher sessions, and workshop facilitation.
• Assist CI leaders and project teams with data gathering, analysis, and reporting.
• Maintain LSS project pipeline, tracker, and certification documentation.
• Ensure project charters, SIPOCs, process maps, and action logs are properly stored and version-controlled.

3. Site Training Governance

• Own and maintain site Skill Matrices, including updates, audits, version control, and reporting.
• Oversee training document control: work instructions, job aids, SOPs, one-point lessons, and training videos.
• Administer and track site certifications, qualifications, and regulatory training requirements.
• Partner with Supervisors and Leads to ensure training plans remain current and accurate for each position.
• Conduct periodic audits of training effectiveness, documentation accuracy, and skills progression.
• Support Job Safety Analysis (JSA) creation and updates where required.

4. Training Delivery & Content Development

• Develop, update, and deliver training materials using multiple methods: classroom, 1:1 training, demonstrations, videos, and job shadowing.
• Facilitate Train-the-Trainer sessions for Leads and SMEs.
• Create engaging, standardized training content and presentations for operational roles.
• Build assessment tools to measure knowledge retention and effectiveness of training.
• Observe floor-level performance and provide coaching, feedback, and supplemental training.

5. New Hire Onboarding Coordination

• Manage all Week 1 onboarding activities for hourly hires.
• Coordinate cross-functional training schedules, introductions, plant tours, and required certifications.
• Ensure timely delivery of safety, production, and quality onboarding content.
• Track progress for the first 6 months and adjust training plans in partnership with Supervisors.
• Maintain onboarding supplies, documentation, and communication with recruiters and hiring managers.

6. Reporting & Metrics

• Prepare daily/weekly/monthly training and CI scorecards.
• Track completion rates, skill attainment progress, CI action closure, and onboarding KPIs.
• Provide data-driven insights to site leadership for training and workforce planning.

7. General Responsibilities

• Spend consistent time on the production floor to assess training needs and observe processes.
• Administer training documentation, records management, and version control.
• Participate in required workshops, audits, and site initiatives.
• Support interview coordination as needed.
• Perform other duties related to training, continuous improvement, or onboarding, as assigned.

• 3-5 years of experience in training, continuous improvement, or manufacturing operations.
• Lean/Six Sigma understanding required; certification preferred.
• Experience with training development, work instruction creation, and training documentation.
• Experience supporting CI or lean manufacturing environments.
• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's/Bachelor's in HR, Education, or related field preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong facilitation and instructional skills.
• Able to design and deliver training in various settings (classroom, 1:1, hands-on).
• Strong project management, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to analyze training and CI data to drive decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask across multiple projects and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• High levels of initiative, urgency, and adaptability.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk, stand, sit, and use hands for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work across all three shifts as needed.
• Use of PPE (safety glasses, shoes, hearing protection) when in production areas

Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.

Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient.

Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!

We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.

By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.

At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.

Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.