High School

Recommended high school classes include mathematics, computer science, business, psychology, English, speech, science, social studies, and foreign languages.

Postsecondary Education

Continuous improvement managers typically have bachelor’s degrees in business management, engineering, logistics, operations management, quality systems, or business operational excellence. If you plan to work in a specific industry, such as biomedical technology, you should minor or earn a degree in that area (biomedical engineering or biomedical equipment repair). Some employers prefer applicants with master’s degrees.  

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer certificates in continuous improvement disciplines, operations logistics, or related areas. For example, Kent State University awards a certificate in Lean Tools and Kaizen to those who complete study in the following areas: Fundamental Concepts of Lean Kaizen, A3 Thinking and Problem Solving, 5S+/Visual Workplace, Value Stream Mapping, Mistake Proofing, Standardized Work and Continuous Flow, Quick Changeover, and Heijunka (Level Loading). DePaul University offers a Six Sigma Green Belt certificate program that covers topics such as identifying core processes and key customer considerations, measuring current performance, gathering and analyzing data to investigate causes, and improving, controlling, and redesigning processes. Contact schools in your area to learn about available programs.  

Other Education or Training

The American Society for Quality offers a variety of in-person and online continuing education classes, including Introduction to Lean Principles, Introduction to Six Sigma, Kaizen, Leading Lean Teams in Healthcare, Introduction to Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement Techniques. The Association for Manufacturing Excellence also offers professional development classes.

Certification or Licensing

“Certification is a mark of excellence,” according to the American Society for Quality (ASQ). “It demonstrates that the certified individual has the knowledge to assure quality of products and services. Certification is an investment in your career and in the future of your employer.” Many employers require CIMs to be certified, or earn specific certifications within a short period time after they are hired. The ASQ offers nearly 20 certification credentials (http://asq.org/cert), many of which are useful to continuous improvement managers. Requirements include having a certain amount of work experience, completing a project within the particular certification area, and passing a written examination. Highly recommended ASQ certification credentials for CIMs include:

• Lean Certification (offered in collaboration with SME, Association for Manufacturing Excellence, and the Shingo Institute)
• Master Black Belt
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Six Sigma Yellow Belt

The Association for Manufacturing Excellence partners with SME and the Shingo Institute to offer a lean certification program. Visit https://www.ame.org/lean-certification for more information. The Association of Business Process Management Professionals International also offers certification. 

Managers typically need at least three years of experience in continuous improvement, operations management, or logistics.

Communication and interpersonal skills are extremely important in this profession. Continuous improvement managers must be able to interact with people at various levels of the organization (from CEOs, to department managers, to production line workers), and they need strong writing skills in order to prepare reports and presentations. Other important traits include creativity; the ability to facilitate and motivate teams; good project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills; a detail-oriented and data-driven personality; skill at seeing the “Big Picture,” and the ability to learn new concepts. Finally, CIMs should have experience with statistical tools such as Minitab, Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word), process mapping tools such as Visio and SmartDraw, and reporting tools and dashboards such as Tableau and Domo.