Lean Leader

Position Overview

The Lean Leader is responsible for driving operational excellence across GN North America by improving Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance. This role partners closely with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to deploy Lean principles, strengthen problem-solving capability, and deliver measurable business results across production and repair operations.

As a hands-on change agent, the Lean Leader leads Kaizen activities, implements standard work, and supports leaders and frontline teams in building a strong Lean culture. This position plays a key role in driving productivity, improving flow, and enabling sustainable continuous improvement.

The Lean Leader collaborates with global teams and regional sites to align best practices, support Lean deployment, and ensure consistent execution across the organization.

Essential Functions (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Drive operational performance improvements related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
• Lead Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives, including Kaizen events, problem-solving sessions, and Lean roadmap execution.
• Implement and sustain standard work, Lean playbooks, and daily management systems across operations.
• Lead the deployment and sustainment of the GN Manufacturing System (GMS) in alignment with global standards.
• Coach leaders and teams on Lean methodologies, fostering a strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Partner with cross-functional and global teams to improve flow, productivity, and on-time delivery.
• Drive inventory, lead-time, and productivity improvements through pull systems and Lean practices.
• Track progress, communicate results, and support execution of improvement actions.
• Support talent development by building Lean capability across all levels of the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies (Knowledge and Skills needed for this position.)

• Fluency in English required.
• Strong leadership and influencing capability to coordinate cross-functional project teams and shape organizational direction. Ability to lead through vision and keep the company’s vision at the forefront of decision-making and action.
• Proven capability to evaluate critical business metrics and operational scenarios with a broad, enterprise-level perspective, coupled with expertise in creating, shaping, and executing a CI roadmap to drive performance within an operating business.
• Ability to lead and govern large portfolios of improvement projects, especially annual cost saving initiatives.
• Strong financial and analytical skills to quantify, validate, and communicate operational savings.
• Exceptional facilitation and coaching skills for Lean certification programs and CI capability building.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of preparing clear dashboards, reports, and presentations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Education:

• BS degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field.

Preferred Education:

• Advanced degree or Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt / Black Belt).
• Formal training in Lean Enterprise or Operational Excellence frameworks is a plus.

Experience:

• 3–5+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean leadership, or Operational Excellence roles.
• Proven experience leading cost saving project portfolios with measurable financial results.
• Experience deploying a Manufacturing System (e.g., TPS, OPEX systems) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success designing and delivering Lean training and certification programs.
• Experience leading Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and CI workshops.
• Experience collaborating with global or cross-site operations is a plus.

Travel:

• Limited travel as needed by project.  2-4 weeks annually.

Other Information

Direct reports:

None

Indirect reports:

None

Working Environment:

Office and light assembly operations.

Physical Demands:

Sitting, standing, walking and supporting assembly operations.  No heavy lifting or strenuous activity.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time position during normal business hours which may include some limited after-production hours support.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About Us

GN brings people closer through our leading intelligent hearing, audio, video, and gaming solutions. Inspired by people and driven by innovation, we deliver technology that enhance the senses of hearing and sight. We help people with hearing loss overcome real-life challenges, improve communication and collaboration for businesses, and provide great experiences for audio and gaming enthusiasts.

What We Offer
We value our employees and offer competitive wages and benefits including:
- Generous Benefits including PTO and Paid Holidays
- 401k with Company match
- Paid Parental Leave & Transition Back to Work Benefits
- Company HSA Contributions
- Discounted GN Group products

We encourage you to apply

Even if you don’t match all the above-mentioned skills, we will gladly receive your application if you think you have transferrable skills. We highly value a mindset, motivation, and energy, that aligns with our core values, to not only ensure growth for you, but for your team and the wider GN organization as well.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process

GN welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. We make life sound better by developing intelligent sound solutions that transform lives through the power of sound, enabling you to hear more, do more & be more than you ever thought possible. Our integrated headset and communications solutions assist professionals in all types of businesses in being more productive. Our wireless headsets are designed to fit any lifestyle - from sports enthusiasts to commuters and office workers. GN operates in more than 90 countries across the world. Founded in 1869, GN has more than 7,000 employees today.

Pay Transparency Notice: 

Depending on your work location, the target annual salary for this position can range from $100,000 to $105,000 /yr.  In addition, you may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.  Compensation for roles at GN depend on a wide array of factors including but not limited to location, role, skill set, and level of experience.  To remain competitive, GN offers a competitive benefits package, including annual bonuses, health insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off and paid holidays.

GN participates in E-Verify. View the E-Verify poster here.  View the Right to Work poster here.

Disability Accommodation

If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail bloomington-humanresources@gnresound.com. This email is provided for the purpose of supporting applicants who have a disability that prevents them from being able to apply online. Only emails received for this purpose will be returned. Emails left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.