Continuous Improvement Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Continuous Improvement Manager roles in the U.S. are regularly sponsored under the H-1B visa, as the position qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in industrial engineering, operations management, or a related field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation(s):
Spartanburg, SC, US
Category: Manufacturing
Job ID: R018583
Worker Type: Full time
Time Type: Regular
Posted: November 10, 2026
Position Summary:
CI Manager is responsible for influencing Continuous Improvement at the Spartanburg, SC, Sealing Plant in North America. Position is responsible for ensuring cost savings targets are met, effective lean workshops are facilitated, GRA/BBP’s are implemented, and that year over year improvements are achieved and sustained in other Key Performance Indicators.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead, facilitate, and influence all Continuous Improvement activities for the plant
- Ensure cost savings targets are met, and ensure year over year improvements in other Key Performance Indicators
- Oversee project implementation timelines including resources and responsibility charts that drives manufacturing process improvements decreasing ‘total' manufacturing costs to achieve budgeted lean savings
- Organize and facilitate reviews of Continuous Improvement scorecard metrics
- Educate and align employees to the principles, practices, culture, and philosophies of Continuous Improvement
- Create and perform training on Lean Manufacturing tools including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Problem Solving, 6S, TPM, Material Flow, SMED etc.
- Actively participate in setting the plan for achieving future state
- Identify, document, and maintain financial performance of lean initiatives
- Compile and present lean event summaries, lessons learned and major impacts to the plants and NA Division
- Cascade read-across projects among similar manufacturing facilities
- Train/coach/mentor other team members in facilitation techniques
- Coach and mentor other employees how to think and act differently as it relates to waste elimination
- Create and audit processes and systems to ensure sustained improvements and alignment to published standards
- Work closely with all cross-functional teams to align Continuous Improvement strategies throughout the organization
- Lead special projects and committees related to Continuous Improvement
- May, on occasion, be required to perform duties other than those specified in this description
Education and Qualifications:
- Fluent English
- Bachelor’s Degree: Engineering preferred
- Minimum 5 years of automotive manufacturing experience
- Experience in facilitating at least 10 formal Kaizen workshops with demonstrated results
- Has high energy and experience inspiring and motivating cross-functional teams
- Previous automotive operations management experience preferred
- Self-starter with the ability to develop strategies in line with the company's business vision
- Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to set a vision, manage change, develop personnel and strategically plan for Continuous Improvement
- Must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization (from Operators to Vice President) with the ability to influence others across multiple levels of the organization
- Ability to handle multiple projects within a fast pace work environment
- Strong interpersonal relationship skills
- Must be capable of making decisions based on experience, judgment, technical competency, and support of the objective
- Will be required to make technical decisions from “concept” to implementation and provide follow-up evaluation of these courses of action
- Willingness and ability to travel, as necessary
Work Environment/Work Conditions:
- Professional Office Environment
- Must wear proper personal protection equipment while on manufacturing floor
- Travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations when required
- Equipment used requires proper training on the potential for and avoidance of injury
LI-TS1
Cooper Standard is proud of its diverse workforce and committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, age, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to creating an environment at work that not only values diversity but also encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. We firmly believe that a diverse workplace fosters an environment where our employees can flourish and provide superior service to our customers.
Because we recognize and value the range of ways in which people acquire experiences, whether via personal, professional, education, or volunteerism, we invite interested applicants to evaluate the key duties and requirements and apply for any opportunities that fit your experience and qualifications.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as certain state and/or local laws. If you believe you require such assistance to complete our online application or to participate in an interview, you (or someone on your behalf) may request assistance by emailing recruitment@cooperstandard.com with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.
Location(s):
Spartanburg, SC, US
Category: Manufacturing
Job ID: R018583
Worker Type: Full time
Time Type: Regular
Posted: November 10, 2026
Position Summary:
CI Manager is responsible for influencing Continuous Improvement at the Spartanburg, SC, Sealing Plant in North America. Position is responsible for ensuring cost savings targets are met, effective lean workshops are facilitated, GRA/BBP’s are implemented, and that year over year improvements are achieved and sustained in other Key Performance Indicators.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead, facilitate, and influence all Continuous Improvement activities for the plant
- Ensure cost savings targets are met, and ensure year over year improvements in other Key Performance Indicators
- Oversee project implementation timelines including resources and responsibility charts that drives manufacturing process improvements decreasing ‘total' manufacturing costs to achieve budgeted lean savings
- Organize and facilitate reviews of Continuous Improvement scorecard metrics
- Educate and align employees to the principles, practices, culture, and philosophies of Continuous Improvement
- Create and perform training on Lean Manufacturing tools including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Problem Solving, 6S, TPM, Material Flow, SMED etc.
- Actively participate in setting the plan for achieving future state
- Identify, document, and maintain financial performance of lean initiatives
- Compile and present lean event summaries, lessons learned and major impacts to the plants and NA Division
- Cascade read-across projects among similar manufacturing facilities
- Train/coach/mentor other team members in facilitation techniques
- Coach and mentor other employees how to think and act differently as it relates to waste elimination
- Create and audit processes and systems to ensure sustained improvements and alignment to published standards
- Work closely with all cross-functional teams to align Continuous Improvement strategies throughout the organization
- Lead special projects and committees related to Continuous Improvement
- May, on occasion, be required to perform duties other than those specified in this description
Education and Qualifications:
- Fluent English
- Bachelor’s Degree: Engineering preferred
- Minimum 5 years of automotive manufacturing experience
- Experience in facilitating at least 10 formal Kaizen workshops with demonstrated results
- Has high energy and experience inspiring and motivating cross-functional teams
- Previous automotive operations management experience preferred
- Self-starter with the ability to develop strategies in line with the company's business vision
- Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to set a vision, manage change, develop personnel and strategically plan for Continuous Improvement
- Must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization (from Operators to Vice President) with the ability to influence others across multiple levels of the organization
- Ability to handle multiple projects within a fast pace work environment
- Strong interpersonal relationship skills
- Must be capable of making decisions based on experience, judgment, technical competency, and support of the objective
- Will be required to make technical decisions from “concept” to implementation and provide follow-up evaluation of these courses of action
- Willingness and ability to travel, as necessary
Work Environment/Work Conditions:
- Professional Office Environment
- Must wear proper personal protection equipment while on manufacturing floor
- Travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations when required
- Equipment used requires proper training on the potential for and avoidance of injury
LI-TS1
Cooper Standard is proud of its diverse workforce and committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, age, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to creating an environment at work that not only values diversity but also encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. We firmly believe that a diverse workplace fosters an environment where our employees can flourish and provide superior service to our customers.
Because we recognize and value the range of ways in which people acquire experiences, whether via personal, professional, education, or volunteerism, we invite interested applicants to evaluate the key duties and requirements and apply for any opportunities that fit your experience and qualifications.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as certain state and/or local laws. If you believe you require such assistance to complete our online application or to participate in an interview, you (or someone on your behalf) may request assistance by emailing recruitment@cooperstandard.com with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Continuous Improvement Manager
Emphasize your Lean and Six Sigma credentials
Certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt signal specialized expertise that strengthens an H-1B specialty occupation argument. Employers and USCIS both treat these credentials as evidence your role requires more than generalist knowledge.
Target industries with established sponsorship pipelines
Manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and logistics companies sponsor Continuous Improvement Managers most consistently. These sectors run high-volume operations where the ROI on a specialized hire justifies the cost and effort of visa sponsorship.
Align your degree to the role during applications
Industrial engineering, operations research, supply chain management, and business administration degrees map cleanly to this title. If your degree is in a different field, document how your coursework and experience directly support continuous improvement work.
Quantify your impact in dollars and percentages
Employers sponsoring a visa need to justify the hire internally. Resumes showing measurable outcomes, like cycle time reductions or defect rate improvements, make that internal case significantly easier and set you apart from local candidates.
Ask about sponsorship policy before the final interview round
Some employers sponsor case-by-case rather than as a standard policy. Raising the topic after the second interview, once there is mutual interest, avoids wasting time while giving the employer enough context to make a sponsorship decision.
Understand the LCA wage requirement before negotiating
Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application certifying your offered wage meets the prevailing wage for the role and location. Knowing this exists helps you negotiate confidently and ensures the offer your employer submits is compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Continuous Improvement Manager role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates H-1B visa eligibility on whether the role requires a specific bachelor's degree, not just any degree. Continuous Improvement Managers typically require a degree in industrial engineering, operations management, or a closely related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard. Roles emphasizing Lean methodology or systems-level process design tend to have stronger petitions than those framed as general operations management.
What degree do I need to get sponsored as a Continuous Improvement Manager?
A bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations research, supply chain management, or business administration with a quantitative focus is most defensible. USCIS looks for a direct connection between your field of study and the specific duties of the role. If your degree is unrelated, three years of specialized work experience can substitute for each year of missing education, though this makes the petition more complex and increases the burden of documentation.
Which types of employers sponsor Continuous Improvement Managers most often?
Large manufacturers, aerospace and defense contractors, hospital systems, and logistics companies file the most LCAs for this title. Companies running ISO-certified facilities or those with dedicated operational excellence teams treat continuous improvement as a core function, making them more willing to sponsor. Migrate Mate's job board filters for sponsoring employers specifically, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and asking later.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my chances of getting sponsored in this role?
The lottery applies to most private-sector H-1B petitions regardless of job title. If you're selected, your employer then files a full petition that USCIS adjudicates on its merits. For Continuous Improvement Managers at universities, nonprofit research organizations, or government entities, cap-exempt sponsorship is available and bypasses the lottery entirely. Some candidates in this field pursue O-1A visas if they have documented recognition, such as industry awards or published process improvement frameworks.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer if I change Continuous Improvement Manager jobs?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, provided you've maintained valid status. The new employer files a new I-129 petition and LCA specific to your new role and location. If the new position has different duties or a different work site, those details need to be reflected accurately in the petition to avoid issues during adjudication.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Continuous Improvement Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.