A person who wishes to work as a continuous improvement manager should first obtain the necessary education. An undergraduate degree in a field such as finance or management can be a good place to start, but if you want to work in pharmaceuticals, a science degree may be beneficial as well. Employers who want to hire continuous improvement managers almost always prefer people with a graduate degree. Aside from academic preparation, professional certification may be required to demonstrate to employers that you have learned how to manage effectively. It’s also critical that you gain a lot of experience as a leader in a field that interests you.
Continuous improvement managers are professionals tasked with continually identifying ways to help a company reduce costs, improve efficiency, and boost profits. This type of manager may also be required to assist executives in learning about new opportunities for advancement. A continuous improvement manager may be in charge of optimizing processes in almost every department of an organization, including inventory, IT, and customer service.
To become a continuous improvement manager, you should first figure out what field you want to work in, as this will help you select the right degree concentration. If you are unsure about the industry in which you are most interested, a major in management can help you learn about organizational philosophies. Consider enrolling in a graduate program. Even if you choose to study a specialized field such as science or engineering, you should take courses that will help you learn about real-world process methods and equipment.
If a person wants to be a continuous improvement manager, he or she should expect to spend many years as a leader in a specific industry. If you get an entry-level job after graduation, make sure you tell your boss you want more responsibilities. People who are stuck in jobs with few opportunities for advancement may want to look for new jobs.
To become a continuous improvement manager, you must join professional organizations and obtain professional certifications. Courses on lean management and total quality management principles and practices can be beneficial. Applicants for most professional organizations and certification programs must have a certain number of years of related work experience.