Continuous Improvement Manager

Charlotte, NC7+ years

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, August 31, 2026

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for applying continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and techniques to identify improvement opportunities, address complex business challenges, and lead operational excellence, business integration, and transformational improvement initiatives across Lighting Programs. Methodologies may include Lean, Six Sigma, Design Thinking, Business Process Management (BPM), and other structured improvement approaches. The incumbent is accountable for leading improvement efforts from opportunity identification through implementation, sustainment, and realization of business value.

This position engages with all levels of the organization to identify, prioritize, and execute initiatives aligned with business objectives and leadership priorities. The incumbent will partner with leaders and stakeholders to evaluate opportunities, define scope, facilitate workshops and improvement events, assess current-state processes, and develop practical, sustainable future-state solutions.

The position is responsible for translating improvement outcomes into actionable plans, business requirements, governance structures, and measurable deliverables that support operational performance and customer value. The incumbent is expected to engage directly with business operations, systems, and processes to understand organizational needs, identify opportunities for standardization and optimization, and support successful implementation of improvement initiatives.

The incumbent will collaborate with cross-functional teams, business leaders, project resources, analytical resources, and change management practitioners to achieve desired outcomes and support organizational objectives. Responsibilities include overseeing initiative execution, monitoring progress, measuring results, documenting activities, maintaining action plans, tracking key performance indicators, and communicating progress, risks, opportunities, and outcomes to leadership and stakeholders.

In addition to leading improvement initiatives, the incumbent will coach and develop others in continuous improvement methodologies and problem-solving techniques. This includes facilitating knowledge transfer, mentoring project teams, supporting change adoption, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.

Strong leadership, facilitation, collaboration, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities are essential.

The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups, manage competing priorities, and build alignment around change. The successful candidate must demonstrate a questioning attitude, customer-focused mindset, and ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. This professional-level position operates proactively; exercises sound judgment and requires minimal direction while leading multiple priorities in a dynamic business environment.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; the hiring manager is particularly interested in candidates who possess experience in one or more of the following three specialized areas:

Specialization Preference (AI/IT)

This Continuous Improvement Manager role requires a combination of deep continuous improvement expertise and a strong artificial intelligence (AI) and/or information technology (IT) skillset. The incumbent should be able to apply structured improvement methodologies while also leveraging digital, analytical, automation, and technology-enabled solutions to improve business processes, support decision-making, and advance operational performance.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification or higher.

Specialization Preference (Operations)

This Continuous Improvement Manager role requires a strong continuous improvement background and practical operations experience in Construction & Maintenance (C&M), and/or Design, Lighting Programs, and Outdoor Lighting. The incumbent should understand end-to-end workflows, field execution, design handoffs, work planning, asset management, and related operational systems, including tools such as SS9, Maximo, BOUD, Design Lite, FMA, Pole Foreman, SEDS, ARCOS, ARGUS, SALR etc. This role connects continuous improvement methods with operational needs to identify process gaps, improve execution, support standardization, and deliver practical solutions that improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, resource utilization, and performance.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification or higher.

Specialization Preference (Expert/Coach)

This role requires a strong continuous improvement background and direct leadership experience as a process owner, program owner/manager, or workstream owner for major operational efficiency and cost savings initiatives. The incumbent must translate business priorities into structured strategies, actionable work plans, measurable deliverables, and sustainable results while balancing strategic ownership with hands-on execution. Success requires partnering with leaders and stakeholders to identify opportunities, remove barriers, optimize resources, and deliver outcomes that improve performance and support long-term business value.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or higher.

Responsibilities

60% – Lead Continuous Improvement Events and Business Integration Efforts

Own and execute continuous improvement events and business integration efforts based on priorities established by senior leadership. Responsibilities include engaging and collaborating with stakeholders, analytical resources, and subject matter experts to understand current-state processes, define desired outcomes, identify sustainability measures, plan and facilitate events, develop transition steps from current state to future state, identify and address implementation barriers, translate discussion points into implementation strategies, support readiness efforts, track sustainment, execute follow-up actions, complete just-do-it improvements, and support check-and-adjust requirements.

20% – Develop Work Products and Business Integration Deliverables

Generate and deliver required work products, including report-outs, leadership follow-ups, readiness tactics, impact assessments, implementation materials, and other deliverables necessary to support continuous improvement, governance, and business integration requirements.

20% – Coach and Develop Continuous Improvement Capability

Coach and mentor peer teams, stakeholders, and event participants on continuous improvement concepts, tools, and application to the business model. Support development of organizational capability by sharing best practices, reinforcing structured problem-solving methods, and promoting practical application of continuous improvement principles.

Basic/Required Qualifications

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, Organizational Leadership, Project Management, or another related field.

In Lieu of Degree

Associate degree with 11 years of related experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, business process management, project management, business integration, organizational effectiveness, or a related discipline.

Required Work Experience

Minimum of 7 years of related experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, business process management, project management, business integration, organizational effectiveness, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated experience applying continuous improvement methodologies to identify opportunities, address business challenges, and deliver measurable results.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives from opportunity identification through implementation, adoption, and sustainment.
Proven ability to facilitate workshops, improvement events, stakeholder engagement sessions, process analysis sessions, and strategic planning activities.
Experience collaborating with leaders and stakeholders across multiple organizational levels to drive alignment and achieve business objectives.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, facilitation, and organizational capabilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead complex initiatives with limited direction.

Desired Professional Certifications or Licenses

Operations and AI/IT - Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification or higher
Expert/Coach - Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or higher

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Operational knowledge of Lighting Programs, Power Grid Operations (PGO), and related utility operations, processes, and stakeholder groups.
Advanced certification in continuous improvement, business process management, change management, or project management, such as Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Master Black Belt, PMP, Prosci, or CBPP.
Demonstrated experience applying continuous improvement methodologies and tools, including Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Design Thinking, Business Process Management (BPM), value stream mapping, workflow analysis, process mapping, and root cause analysis, to achieve measurable outcomes.
Proven ability to develop business acumen through direct engagement with operations, assessment of organizational challenges, and development of practical, sustainable solutions.
Demonstrated ability to independently identify, prioritize, and execute actions necessary to achieve project, operational, and strategic objectives.
Proven ability to deliver high-quality work products while managing multiple priorities and meeting established deadlines.
Experience partnering with stakeholders, analytical resources, and business leaders to identify and apply data analytics that support continuous improvement efforts before, during, and after implementation.
Demonstrated ability to promote open, collaborative communication that supports engagement, alignment, accountability, and shared ownership of results.
Proven ability to navigate differing perspectives, resolve conflicting priorities, and facilitate constructive discussions that result in clear decisions and actionable plans.
Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills, including the ability to translate complex findings, recommendations, and improvement outcomes into concise, meaningful communications for audiences at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to establish a credible and engaging leadership presence while facilitating workshops, improvement events, governance meetings, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
Working knowledge of organizational change management principles and methodologies, including ADKAR or similar change management frameworks.
Experience developing governance structures, operating models, process standards, procedures, performance measures, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to sustain improvements and monitor business outcomes.
Experience applying data analysis and visualization tools to identify trends, support decision-making, and communicate business performance.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and process modeling or business analysis tools such as Microsoft Visio, Signavio, ARIS, or similar platforms.
Experience in utility, energy, field operations, customer operations, construction, asset management, or program management environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong leadership capability with the ability to influence, engage, and build credibility across all levels of the organization.
Strong facilitation, collaboration, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Strategic mindset, business acumen, and ability to translate business needs into sustainable improvement solutions.
Ability to lead through ambiguity, support organizational change, and manage competing priorities in a dynamic business environment.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable recommendations.
Ability to challenge assumptions constructively and guide teams toward data-driven decisions.
Customer-focused approach with a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Effective coaching and mentoring skills with a passion for developing continuous improvement capabilities in others.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, including experience communicating with leadership teams and executive stakeholders.
Ability to work independently with limited direction while maintaining alignment with organizational goals and priorities.

Emergency Response

Travel is required to support operational needs and emergency response efforts across regions and the Duke Energy footprint. Incumbents must be fit for duty and able to safely perform all required job responsibilities, including participation in emergency response activities across the Duke Energy service territory or with other utility companies during mutual assistance events. Emergency response responsibilities may include roles such as damage assessment, base camp operations, logistics coordination, or operations center support. Incumbents must also be capable of safely operating a vehicle in various weather conditions.

Working Conditions

Mobility Classification

Hybrid work arrangement.
Must be able and willing to travel throughout all company jurisdictions as business needs require.

Environmental Conditions

Primarily office environment with occasional operational facility, site, and field visits.

Location / Field Environment

Various company locations, including Charlotte, Raleigh, St. Petersburg, Cincinnati, Plainfield, and other company facilities as necessary.

Physical Requirements

No special physical requirements beyond those associated with a standard office environment and occasional field site visits.

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Represented/Union Position

Visa Sponsored Position

No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.