Job Description

Corporate Process Improvement Engineer 

Opus Packaging – West Michigan is a premier packaging company and supplier of corrugated products. Our philosophy and values are the backbone of Opus, but it’s our employees who bring them to life. We know the most important component of a thriving business is a thriving team.

We are currently searching for a full-time Corporate Process Improvement Engineer for our Corporate location in Caledonia, MI. In this role, you will lead efforts to decrease lead times, reduce cost, and build a culture of operational excellence and empowerment across multiple Opus locations. You will use key performance metrics—end-to-end lead time, on-time delivery, process efficiency, and cost reduction—to drive measurable improvements that support our business.

As a Corporate Process Improvement Engineer, you will champion Lean principles, facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events, identify inefficiencies, lead training and coaching efforts, and develop standardized processes that enhance operational flow and sustainability. You will work closely with plant teams, operations leaders, and CI champions to build long-term capability and deliver meaningful performance results.

Opus Packaging is pleased to provide a competitive medical, vision, and dental insurance package along with company-paid life insurance for you and your family on your first day of employment. We also offer an excellent 401K program with company match, PTO, production bonus, safety bonus program, and safety shoe reimbursement.

What you need to be successful at Opus Packaging:

• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and PDCA problem solving.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing standardized work, standardized changeovers, and improving manual assembly or finishing operations.
• Proven project management experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence and train employees at all levels.
• Ability to travel regularly to multiple Opus locations.
• Commitment to working safely and participating in required safety training.

It’d be great if you also have:

• Experience in corrugated converting or packaging manufacturing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Drives Continuous Improvement Across Manufacturing Operations

• Leads and facilitates Kaizen events across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Applies Lean tools to eliminate waste and improve flow.
• Uses PDCA and structured root cause analysis to implement sustainable improvements.

II. Training, Coaching, and Capability Development

• Trains and coaches employees at all levels on Lean tools and CI principles.
• Builds internal CI capability by mentoring teams and site CI champions.

III. Improves Converting Equipment Performance

• Develops and implements standardized changeovers for converting equipment.
• Partners with operations, maintenance, and production to reduce variability and improve consistency.
• Establishes repeatable processes ahead of advanced SMED initiatives.

IV. Improves Manual Assembly and Finishing Flow

• Leads one-piece-flow initiatives in manual assembly and finishing areas.
• Improves layout, material flow, and standard work to reduce lead time and labor inefficiencies.

V. Creates and Sustains Process Standardization

• Documents and deploys standardized processes and standard work.
• Ensures improvements are trained, implemented, and sustained.
• Supports visual management and process discipline across operations.

VI. Value Stream Mapping and Flow Analysis

• Develops current-state and future-state value stream maps.
• Identifies bottlenecks, constraints, and opportunities across the end-to-end value stream.

VII. Project Management and Results Tracking

• Leads improvement projects from scope through sustainment.
• Tracks key metrics: lead time, on-time delivery, process efficiency, cost reduction.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three to five years of experience in manufacturing process improvement or continuous improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills.

As part of the Opus team, you’ll never be treated like just a number. We’re a family, and we are honored by everyone who chooses to join us. In addition to delivering the best possible products to our customers, we strive to create the best possible work environment for our team. At Opus, we invest in each other and in our communities. Apply today and grow with us!