Continuous Improvement Specialist II

Job Description

Job Description

Continuous Improvement Specialist

The Opportunity :

Rio Grande is a global leader in supplying precious metals and materials to jewelers and manufacturers around the world. We’re hiring a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead high-impact initiatives that streamline operations, enhance system capabilities, and boost performance across the business. This is a full-time, onsite role based in our Albuquerque office. In this position, you’ll drive cross-functional projects from idea to execution—partnering with business and technical teams to turn challenges into streamlined solutions.

If you’re analytical, action-oriented, and thrive on solving complex problems that deliver measurable results, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do :

• Identify and prioritize opportunities for process and system improvements across departments.
• Lead cross-functional teams in implementing improvements using Six Sigma, Lean, and other methodologies.
• Document as-is / to-be processes and maintain a central repository of best practices.
• Manage projects from planning through completion—developing, and being accountable for, project charters, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder communications.
• Participate in the Project Management Office (PMO) to align initiatives, share best practices, and ensure project governance.
• Collaborate closely with business and IT teams to evaluate and enhance system-based processes.
• Track KPIs, analyze data, and communicate impact through dashboards and executive-ready reports.
• Build change management strategies to ensure adoption and long-term success.
• Foster a continuous improvement mindset across the organization by mentoring and training others.

What You’ll Bring :

Preferred :

Working Environment :

The successful candidate will enjoy a rewarding, challenging, and principled work environment. For more information about us please visit : www.riogrande.com

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging :

Guided by our core values, Rio Grande is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind. As an advocate for equity and equality, we hire, train, and promote qualified people of all backgrounds. We consider employment candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other underrepresented class. We value our associates and have won the yearly Healthiest Places to Work and Family Friendly Business awards on multiple occasions.

The Reward :

Rio Grande provides a generous benefit package for full-time (30+ hours a week) associates that includes :

Our associates strive for joint accountability. We work together for the success of our stakeholders, and we provide a thoughtful, fun, and creative environment to support them. We encourage professional and personal development through a variety of training opportunities and a focus on promoting from within.

The Company :

Established in 1944, Rio Grande, a Berkshire-Hathaway manufacturer / distributor, has thousands of valued customers around the world. We are a principle-based company with a highly evolved team-based environment. We can show you how a profoundly effective organization lives these values every day. You can find our guiding principles, The 3 R’s, Respect, Responsibility and Results, on our website as well as information about our community support and how we protect the environment.

Within our 186,000 sq. ft., solar-powered facility, with covered parking, Rio Grande has sales, marketing, supply chain, IT and administrative offices, a climate-controlled distribution center with more than 40,000 items, and a comprehensive, well-equipped manufacturing operation. Manufactured products include jewelry-making equipment (from basic tools to highly sophisticated induction casting machines) and jewelry components—both die-struck and cast. Capabilities include CAD / CAM, casting, stamp and form, metal finishing, CNC machining, manual milling, tool & die and electronics / mechanical assembly.

Core business hours between 8 : 00 AM- 5 : 00 PM