Project Manager, Continuous Improvement

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Salary:

Location:

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

** This role is onsite in Austin TX and requires up to 15% travel (domestic and international).

Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in project management and continuous improvement. Interprets internal business and operational challenges and recommends best-practice, data-driven solutions. Solves complex and ambiguous problems by taking a systems-level view across people, process, and technology. Operates independently with limited guidance in the most complex situations. May lead cross-functional teams, projects, and continuous improvement initiatives

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage end-to-end project plans from initiation through implementation, ensuring delivery of scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving operational efficiency, quality, cycle time, cost, and compliance across business processes.

• Develop and maintain process maps, value stream maps, KPIs, and CI roadmaps to identify gaps, waste, and improvement opportunities.

• Drive project and CI deliverables through structured execution using reports, dashboards, tracking charts, checklists, and standard work.

• Align cross-functional resources (operations, logistics, trade, IT, manufacturing, finance, etc.) to achieve project outcomes and sustain process improvements.

• Monitor and report project performance, benefits realization, and continuous improvement impacts (e.g., cost savings, productivity gains, risk reduction).

• Participate in and lead intra–business unit design and improvement teams, contributing to operational and technical maturity of processes.

• Perform root cause analysis (e.g., A3, RCA, 5 Whys, Fishbone) to resolve project obstacles and systemic issues; implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Support standardization efforts by documenting processes, creating playbooks, and driving adoption of best practices across teams and sites.

Functional Knowledge

• Demonstrates strong conceptual and practical expertise in project management and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PDCA).

• Working knowledge of related disciplines such as operations, supply chain/logistics, manufacturing, compliance, or enterprise systems.

Business Expertise

• Applies industry and internal best practices to improve business outcomes; understands how process efficiency, quality, and compliance impact business performance.

• Understands competitive and operational drivers and how continuous improvement differentiates performance.

Leadership

• Acts as a subject-matter resource for colleagues with less experience in project execution and process improvement.

• May lead small-to-medium projects and improvement initiatives with manageable risk, scope, and resources.

• Influences without authority by driving alignment and accountability across cross-functional stakeholders.

Problem Solving

• Solves complex problems using structured, data-driven approaches.

• Challenges existing processes and proposes innovative, scalable solutions that improve long-term performance.

Impact

• Impacts a range of operational, customer, project, and service activities within own team and across related teams through measurable continuous improvement outcomes.

• Operates within broad policies while helping define better ways of working.

Interpersonal Skills

• Communicates complex or sensitive information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Builds consensus, drives change adoption, and supports change management as part of continuous improvement efforts.

Work Experience

• 4–7 years of experience in project management, operations, or supply chain roles, with demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement or process optimization initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

• Experience in manufacturing, logistics, global trade, or regulated environments

Demonstrated benefits realization (cost, cycle time, quality, compliance)

Additional Information

Time Type:

Employee Type:

Travel:

Relocation Eligible:

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.