Job Summary:

Western’s Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for setting and achieving Continuous Improvement (CI) objectives across the three-site Cleveland operation while building a CI culture. The Continuous Improvement Manager works closely with the VP of Operations, plant management and other members of Operations team and plant employees to improve productivity, on-time delivery and margin while making the business easier to manage and operate. Reporting directly to the President, the Continuous Improvement Manager is a key member of Western’s Leadership Team and will also be involved with the Marmon Group Automation & Continuous Improvement Team.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Authorities

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Coach, counsel and train managers as well as both plant and office employees to apply, support, sustain and develop a CI culture throughout the business.
• Develop and lead business-wide Lean training followed by regular training for new hires as well as regular training sessions covering key topics in Lean / 5S.
• Identify and recommend CI projects by evaluating operational and financial data and incorporate into Western’s AOP capturing cost savings, margin improvement and potential revenue gains as a result.
• Manage CI projects by coordinating necessary resources and by setting and implementing budgetary and timing controls to achieve chartered goals.
• Work with the Executive Team and other managers to develop and maintain a Lean Daily Management routine to review SQDIP metrics while capturing immediate and longer-term improvement opportunities.
• Remedy safety and ergonomic risks as identified by the annual safety assessment, daily SQDIP huddles, Gemba walks, near miss reporting and employee suggestions.
• Work with Sales and Operations to conduct Enterprise Value Stream Mapping to eliminate unnecessary operations, improve productivity and reduce costs while boosting OTD and delivered product quality.
• Review and update standard work instructions for Western products in conjunction with plant personnel and the Operations and Engineering teams.
• Support ISO audits and other quality audits as needed and serve as main OSHA contact if on site.
• Lead 5S efforts for improved organization and visibility ensuring that processes are standardized and documented and that required tools and resources are on-hand.
• Conduct multiple Kaizen events throughout the year focused on such areas as productivity improvement, automation, OTD and quality improvement.
• Expand the use of 80/20 analysis throughout the business working with individuals and departments to condense the product offering, simplify internal processes and streamline operations.
• Establish one-piece flow across the assembly operation while removing constraints to increase throughput and productivity.
• Work with machining and assembly personnel to identify and implement rapid changeover techniques.
• Conduct regular Gemba walks involving members of the Leadership Team and plant management.
• Schedule multiple Lean / Kaizen events annually across the business with different champions for each.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated success leading CI efforts for a vertically integrated manufacturer.
• Capable of working in a cross-functional environment and with employees across all levels.
• Working manager with big picture perspectives and a hands-on mindset.
• Strong leadership skills with an ability to coach others into growing levels of leadership.
• Organized and capable of leading multiple projects forward in parallel.
• Curious and creative with an ownership perspective that drives results.
• Enjoys implementing new solutions resulting in new levels of business performance.
• Understands and can teach key principles of 5S / Lean / TOC and Kanban.
• Knowledgeable of ERP systems and key business processes.
• Motivated and interested in leading business operations at a higher level in the future.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management, Operations, Engineering or related field.
• Formal training and certification in Lean / 5S techniques preferred.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms especially during product demonstrations, both in an office environment and on-site at customer locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is generally light except but some hearing protection may be required.