Key Responsibilities
On any given day, you are building the capability, discipline, and culture that allows Encore to operate a genuine continuous-improvement system as the business scales. You will connect strategy to frontline execution while helping leaders build the skills to sustain improvement without relying on this role. That shows up in how you:
Act as Encore’s primary catalyst for lean culture change, coaching and challenging executive, location, and frontline leaders to adopt lean thinking and behaviors
Design and deliver training in lean fundamentals, Hoshin Kanri, and structured problem-solving for leaders and high-potential talent
Develop a bench of internal lean and Kaizen facilitators so improvement capability spreads beyond this one role
Design, train, and run Encore’s Hoshin Kanri process, translating strategic priorities into cascading, measurable goals and facilitating catchball between levels
Establish and lead monthly and quarterly review cadences that keep strategic goals visible, on track, and owned by responsible leaders
Personally plan and lead Kaizen events and rapid-improvement sprints targeting Encore’s highest priority opportunities for people, customers, and value creation
Drive measurable, sustained results from each event, including disciplined follow through after the event closes – not just recommendations
Conduct current-state process mapping across field operations and cross-functional processes by engaging the people who actually perform the work
Trace processes end-to-end to identify true boundaries, implicated functions, root causes, and practical future-state opportunities
Document findings in clear, standardized formats, including process maps, value-stream maps, standard work, and visual management tools
Serve as a driving force behind execution of Encore’s key improvement priorities, partnering with and constructively pushing functional and location leaders
Escalate constructively when leaders are not engaging with lean tools, Hoshin Kanri goals, or Kaizen commitments
Maintain clear partnership boundaries: drive, coach, and challenge while leaving accountability for P&L, people, and performance with the functional or location owner
Partner with Transformation/PMO and executive sponsors on major cross-functional initiatives while leading the lean and Kaizen workstream
Build and maintain standardized process documentation and visual management tools in partnership with the Standards/Process function
What Success Looks Like
Leaders from the executive team to frontline supervisors actively use lean thinking, Hoshin Kanri, and structured problem-solving as part of how they lead
Encore’s strategic priorities are visibly cascaded into aligned goals at every level through a review cadence leaders actively use
Kaizen events and improvement initiatives produce sustained, measurable results in safety, quality, customer experience, productivity, cost, and growth enablement
A growing bench of location and functional leaders can independently use lean tools and lead improvement events
Leaders trust this role’s process maps and finding as an accurate, unbiased record of how work actually happens
What You Bring to the Table
10+ years of progressive leadership experience driving lean or continuous improvement culture change in an operational environment
Demonstrated experience training and facilitating Hoshin Kanri or strategic policy deployment at the enterprise or multi-site level
A proven track record personally planning and leading Kaizen events that discovered measurable business results
Strong executive presence and facilitation skills, with the ability to coach, challenge, and influence senior leaders and location owners who do not report to you
Working mastery of core lean tools, including process mapping, root cause analysis, standard work, visual management, value-stream mapping, and A3 problem solving
Experience building internal training curriculum and developing lean capability in others
Experience applying lean principles in field service, distribution, construction, building services, or another decentralized operational environment
What Makes You Stand Out
You have Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification
You have built or materially expanded an enterprise or multi-site lean operating system
You have successfully adapted traditional manufacturing-based lean methods to field service or cross-functional business processes
You have developed internal facilitators or leaders who continued driving improvement independently after your direct involvement ended
Beyond the Paycheck
At Encore, we’re all about creating a culture where success is celebrated. We recognize that our work makes people’s lives safer, and we reward those who contribute to our growth. Here’s what you can expect:
Competitive Salary: Compensation commensurate with your experience, with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses tied to your personal effectiveness and contributions to the team. Expected salary range between $160,000-$200,000.
Purpose-Driven Work Environment: We believe in working smarter, not harder. You’ll be part of a culture that values results, and we empower our team to focus on impactful work.
Flexible Dress Code: Upon joining, you’ll receive branded Encore swag, and we believe in dressing for the objective, not the occasion. Most days, you can enjoy a casual work environment, but we’ll dress up when the situation calls for it.
People-Focused Culture: We know our greatest strength is our people. That’s why we’ve built a culture that encourages experimentation, learning, and improving together. You’ll have the space to share your ideas and help shape a company that is constantly growing.
Tools for Success: Access to leading-edge web-based productivity tools.
Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage through Blue Cross to keep you and your family healthy.
Retirement Planning: Participation in our Fidelity 401(k) plan with a company match, helping you save for your future.
Life Insurance: Company-paid life insurance policy of $50,000 to give you peace of mind.
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EEO Statement
At Encore Fire Protection, we protect people and property, and that starts with how we treat each other. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point during the application or interview process, please let us know at resumes@encorefireprotection.com.
