Senior Continuous Improvement Program Manager - Oahu
Date:Nov 5, 2026
Location: Pearl City, Hawaii (HI), US, 96782
Company: hawaiianel
We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.
Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.
Applications will be screened based on the information provided; in order to assist us in determining qualifications, please upload a current resume and take some time to update your employment information, certifications, etc. The information will flow over to your profile.
Posting End Date: This position will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged.
BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:
The P ID TRAINING Department of the P GENERATION Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)
JOB FUNCTION:
Leads and oversees the Continuous Improvement (CI) and operational excellence strategy for Generation Division, driving sustainable performance improvement, operational efficiency, and cultural transformation through Lean, advanced problem‑solving methodologies, and change management. Partners with senior leadership to prioritize and deliver high‑impact improvement initiatives and business solutions that achieve measurable results while overseeing CI projects. Acts as a principal change leader and subject matter expert by embedding continuous improvement practices into daily operations and leading complex initiatives aimed at improved business practices that meet regulatory and industry standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Owns and maintains the continuous improvement and operational excellence roadmap for the Power Supply Process Area, ensuring alignment with Generation and Company strategic objectives. Identifies and prioritizes improvement opportunities based on value, risk, performance gaps, and strategic impact. Establishes governance for continuous improvement initiatives, including performance metrics, benefit realization, and sustainability plans.
- Leads Continuous Improvement (CI) projects supporting Generation operations, including outage performance, asset reliability, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Oversees projects from initiation through sustainment by defining objectives and success metrics, leading cross functional teams, applying Lean and structured problem solving methodologies, and ensuring solutions are implemented, standardized, and sustained. Provides regular performance and results reporting to leadership to ensure measurable and lasting business outcomes.
- Drives organizational culture change to embed Lean thinking, disciplined problem solving, and continuous improvement behaviors at all levels of the organization. Serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on operational excellence strategy, organizational readiness, and transformation risks. Coaches and mentors leaders, managers, and improvement practitioners in Lean principles, change leadership, and leader standard work. Trains employees to become change leaders / improvement practitioners. Acts as the internal Lean Sensei / Black Belt authority, setting standards for improvement methodology, rigor, and execution quality. Builds continuous improvement capability by developing tools, training approaches, and best practice.
- Establishes and maintains performance dashboards, and KPI frameworks to track improvement progress and results. Prepares and delivers high level briefings and presentations related to improvement initiatives communicating progress, risks, and outcomes to leadership and external stakeholders. Ensures improvements are standardized, documented, and integrated into ongoing operations to prevent regression.
- Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.
- Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge Requirements
- Extensive knowledge in Lean and/or Lean Six Sigma.
- Extensive knowledge of project management principles, generation operations and maintenance procedures and practices, cost systems, quality control, management principals, scheduling, and work flow management expertise normally acquired through college-level training and/or equivalent experience.
And/Or
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification from a nationally recognized organization such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) is required. Or, certified as a Planner by a nationally recognized professional society such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
- Thorough knowledge of operations, preferably in electric utility environment, with emphasis in power generation.
- Working knowledge of personal computers and related software applications such as MS Project, UIPlanner, Ellipse, Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of change management, normally acquired through related training, and/or several years experience in in a cross-matrixed organization.
- Thorough knowledge of project management standards and methodologies, including initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing projects, developing work breakdown structures, tracking progress and status, managing scope, mitigating risk, etc.
- Knowledge of applicable policies that govern employee responsibilities and conduct.
- Working knowledge of regulatory requirements (i.e. SOX, PUC, etc) highly desired.
Skills Requirements
- Excellent written, oral and presentation skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills to direct, influence, motivate and persuade various groups or individuals.
- Ability to handle difficult and/or sensitive issues while using tact, courtesy, and discretion.
- Supervisory/leadership skills and abilities to work with a variety of individuals occasionally dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues and the ability to handle such issues with professionalism by using tact, courtesy, respect and discretion.
- In-depth analytical, computational, organizational and time-management skills to handle various projects.
- Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team.
- Ability to manage people at all levels within the company.
- Ability to develop/maintain strong positive relationships with leaders and members of the community and government.
- Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities and strategic direction. Ability to conceptualize new ideas quickly.
Experience Requirements
- Several (4 or more years) experience in the implementation of Lean or Lean Six Sigma business process improvement.
- Extensive (8+ years) experience as a project manager, implementation manager, designer, or engineer, with large complex projects, preferably within the electric utility industry.
- Extensive (8 + years) experience in root cause analysis.
- Several (3-5) years of project management experience for small to large software/engineering/implementation projects. Certified Lean Sensei, Lean Black Belt or Lean Six Sigma Black belt desirable.
- Several (3-5) years of supervisory experience are desirable.
Role:Professional
Number of Vacancies:1
Location:Pearl City – Oahu
Hiring Range:The hiring range for the Sr Continuous Improvement Program Manager [Req ID 10812] position is $109,900.00 to $142,600.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications.
About Hawaiian Electric Companies
Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.
The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.
Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.
Applicant Certification
By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
- Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
- Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
- Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
- Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
- Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.
EEO Statement
Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with all applicable laws, including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543-4848.
Affiliate Disclaimer
The relationship between Hawaiian Electric and unregulated, energy-related affiliate companies is governed by the Affiliate Transaction Requirements (ATRs) established by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The ATRs were established with the PUC's Decision and Order No. 35962 issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019, in Docket No. 2018-0065. With Decision and Order No. 42409, issued on March 23, 2026, in Docket No. 2025-0391, the PUC indefinitely suspended certain sections of the ATRs.
The ATRs address many issues related to Hawaiian Electric's interactions and transactions with Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities. If you'd like more information about these rules/regulations, you can email ATR@hawaiianelectric.com.
Nearest Major Market:HonoluluNearest Secondary Market:Hawaii