We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.
All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.
Job Summary
Nidec is the world's No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer handling "everything that spins and moves", miniature to gigantic. Nidec is a global enterprise comprised of over 300 subsidiaries/affiliates. We are a leading manufacturer of commercial motors, industrial motors, appliance motors, and controls. Our product line features a full line of high efficiency motors for industrial applications in water treatment, mining, oil and gas, and power generation, and for commercial applications such as pool and spa, condensers, cooling towers and large refrigeration units.Job Description
Shift: 1st Shift
Days of Work: Monday - Friday
Work Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Work Location: On-site (Mankato, MN)
Starting Salary: $118,200 to $189,100 Annually
Pay Frequency: Bi-Weekly
At Nidec, we prioritize our team’s well-being and success. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you both personally and professionally. These are the great benefits we offer, with additional perks and programs available to enhance your overall experience with us.
Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary with additional bonus opportunities.
Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective from your first day.
Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a best-in-class company match of 100% on the employee’s first 6% with an additional 3% employer contribution to support your financial future.
Work-Life Balance: Generous time off package, including PTO and holidays.
Education Assistance: Tuition reimbursement and continuous learning opportunities to support your professional growth.
Position Objective:
The Lean Senior Manager is responsible for leading the development, deployment, and sustainability of Lean thinking, tools, and culture across the division. This role drives operational excellence by partnering with site leaders, operations teams and cross-functional partners to improve safety, quality, deliver, cost, and employee engagement. The Lean Senior Manager serves as the division’s subject matter expert on Lean methodologies and continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with enterprise operating systems and strategic priorities.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Lean Strategy and Deployment
Lead the creation and execution of the division’s Lean strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate operational excellence initiatives.
Develop and deploy a Lean Operating System including standardized tools, behaviors, and processes.
Establish annual Lean roadmaps, priorities, and performance targets across the division.
Facilitate maturity assessments and lead efforts to elevate organizational capability.
Continuous Improvement Leadership
Drive kaizen activities, value-stream mapping, problem-solving events, and rapid improvement workshops.
Mentor teams to apply structured problem-solving (A3, 5-Why, PDCA) to eliminate waste and improve process performance.
Partner with site and functional leaders to identify high-impact opportunities that improve throughput, reduce cost, and strengthen quality and safety.
Ensure CI projects are resourced, executed, tracked, and sustained.
Operational Excellence & Standardization
Lead standardization efforts for best practices, work systems, and performance management routines across sites.
Support deployment of Lean methods in manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and office/administrative environments.
Implement and sustain visual management, tiered accountability, and daily management systems.
Monitor KPIs and analytics to identify systemic gaps and improvement opportunities.
Training, Coaching & Culture Building
Build Lean capability at all levels – from front-line associates to leadership.
Deliver training on Lean principles, tools, and behaviors.
Coach leaders to model Lead leadership, including Gemba walks, coaching kata, and effective problem solving.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, employee empowerment, and learning-by-doing.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Change Management
Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of Lean practices.
Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR and Finance to embed Lean into major initiatives.
Influence senior leaders with data-driven insights and prioritized improvement recommendations.
Support transformation initiatives such as digital manufacturing, automation, and productivity programs.
Experience/Skills:
8 – 12+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement roles.
5+ years applying Lean methodology in an operational environment.
Prior leadership of Lean/CI teams preferred.
Experience in multi-site or divisional operations strongly desired.
Certifications (preferred)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt
Certified Lean Practitioner or equivalent
Certifications in problem-solving or operational excellence frameworks
Skills & Competencies
Expert knowledge of Lean tools (VSM, SMED, 5S, Standard Work, TPM, Kanban, Kaizen, Root Cause).
Strong coaching, facilitation, and change leadership skills.
Ability to influence leaders without direct authority.
Strong analytical, data-driven, and strategic problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple sites, priorities, and complex initiatives.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or relate field (Master’s preferred).
Success Profile:
A successful Lean Senior Manager:
Thinks systemically and drives results through influence.
Builds capability, not dependency.
Champions standardized work and operational discipline.
Coaches leaders to become Lean thinkers.
Leads with humility, curiosity.
Additional Job Details
CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE: http://acim.nidec.com/generators/kato-engineering/about-us/katocareers
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec
Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Work Shift Schedule
First Shift (United States of America)No Soliciting
Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.