What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuous Improvement (Lean) Leader position at Arconic?
Job Description
Arconic is currently in search of a Continuous Improvement (Lean) Leader to join our Kawneer Business in Springdale, AR.
At Arconic, we take pride in our work and our innovative products and technologies that advance sustainable solutions for a better world. We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and collaborative workplace with competitive benefits, development opportunities and a culture that values and rewards employees on all levels of the organization.
Job Summary:
The Continuous Improvement (Lean) Leader is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives throughout the facility by applying Lean Manufacturing principles, Kaizen methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques. This role partners closely with plant leadership, supervisors, engineering, maintenance, and support functions to eliminate waste, improve productivity, reduce costs, enhance quality, and establish sustainable management systems.
The CI Leader serves as a coach, facilitator, and change agent while building Lean capabilities across the organization and leading strategic and tactical improvement initiatives that support business objectives.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
Lean Transformation Leadership
You have:
Arconic Corporation is a leading provider of aluminum sheet, plate and extrusions, as well as innovative architectural products, that advance the automotive, aerospace, commercial transportation, industrial and building and construction markets. Building on more than a century of innovation, Arconic helps to transform the way we fly, drive, and build.
We live our core values and commit to delivering sustainable value to our customers, our employees, our communities and our stakeholders.
At Arconic, we:
Act With Integrity : We lead with respect, honesty, transparency and accountability.
Safeguard our Future : We protect and improve the health and safety of our employees, communities and environment.
Grow Stronger Together : We cultivate an inclusive and diverse culture that advocates for equity.
Earn Customer Loyalty : We build customer partnerships through best-in-class products and service.
Drive Operational Excellence : We pursue continuous improvement through innovation, agility, people development and collaboration.
Create Value : We achieve success by generating and growing value for our stakeholders.
United States EEO Statement: Arconic Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
About The Team
Springdale is a part of the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) metropolitan area and region within the Ozark Mountains. Nearby cities include Fayetteville, Rogers, and Bentonville. It is the 13th fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. Growth is driven by several Fortune 500 companies, including Arconic, as well as over 1,300 suppliers and vendors drawn to the region by these large businesses. NWA amenities include the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Walmart AMP and Razorback Regional Greenway.
Our Springdale facility is located in the 4th largest city in the state of Arkansas. Located in both Washington and Benton counties, our city is a diverse and friendly community. Catch a ride on the beautifully restored Arkansas and Missouri Railroad or visit the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the scenic waters of Beaver Lake for water sports and relaxation, and the multitude of parks and trails of the Ozarks. Home to the Randal Tyson Recreational Complex and the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, Springdale offers many unique world-class attractions. See more about Springdale here: explorespringdale.com.
Arconic is currently in search of a Continuous Improvement (Lean) Leader to join our Kawneer Business in Springdale, AR.
At Arconic, we take pride in our work and our innovative products and technologies that advance sustainable solutions for a better world. We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and collaborative workplace with competitive benefits, development opportunities and a culture that values and rewards employees on all levels of the organization.
Job Summary:
The Continuous Improvement (Lean) Leader is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives throughout the facility by applying Lean Manufacturing principles, Kaizen methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques. This role partners closely with plant leadership, supervisors, engineering, maintenance, and support functions to eliminate waste, improve productivity, reduce costs, enhance quality, and establish sustainable management systems.
The CI Leader serves as a coach, facilitator, and change agent while building Lean capabilities across the organization and leading strategic and tactical improvement initiatives that support business objectives.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
Lean Transformation Leadership
- Lead the deployment and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing principles throughout the facility.
- Develop site Continuous Improvement roadmaps aligned with business goals.
- Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities that deliver measurable results.
- Partner with leadership to establish a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
- Facilitate Kaizen events from planning through implementation and sustainment.
- Coach leaders on event preparation, data collection, root cause analysis, and follow-up actions.
- Ensure action items are completed and documented benefits are achieved.
- Support rapid improvement workshops focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people (culture).
- Implement and sustain Daily Management Systems (MDI).
- Develop visual performance boards and KPI management processes.
- Establish tiered accountability meetings and escalation processes.
- Drive problem-solving routines at all organizational levels.
- Lead Value Stream Mapping (VSM) activities to identify waste and improve flow.
- Conduct line balancing, process mapping, and capacity analysis.
- Implement and sustain:
- Standard Work
- 5S Workplace Organization
- Visual Management/MDI
- Waste Reduction Initiatives
- A3 Problem Solving
- SMED (Quick Changeover)
- TPM Programs
- Root Cause Analysis (8 Step problem solving methodology as example)
- Design and deliver Lean training programs.
- Coach frontline leaders, supervisors, and managers on Lean tools and leadership
- behaviors.
- Develop internal Lean champions and CI resources.
- Promote employee participation in improvement activities.
- Lead cross-functional strategic improvement projects.
- Manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
- Quantify and validate project benefits.
- Present progress and results to leadership teams.
- Establish KPI tracking and reporting processes.
- Measure impact related to: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People (Productivity/Cost
- Monitor sustainment plans and audit compliance.
- Influencing teams without direct authority.
- Driving behavioral and cultural changes across multiple functions.
- Balancing short-term operational needs with long-term strategic initiatives.
- Developing ownership and accountability within operational teams.
- Sustaining improvements after implementation.
- Identifying and removing barriers to Lean deployment.
- Ability to travel 50% of the time domestically to visit manufacturing sites and service centers.
You have:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply
- Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience.
- Minimum 3 years of Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Lean
- Experience leading Kaizen events from planning through implementation and
- Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing principles in a production
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Certification.
- Experience with TPM implementation.
- Experience with Value Stream Management.
- Background in automation or manufacturing engineering.
- Experience leading multi- areas/ site improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge of ERP and manufacturing systems.
- Experience delivering measurable cost savings and productivity improvements.
Arconic Corporation is a leading provider of aluminum sheet, plate and extrusions, as well as innovative architectural products, that advance the automotive, aerospace, commercial transportation, industrial and building and construction markets. Building on more than a century of innovation, Arconic helps to transform the way we fly, drive, and build.
We live our core values and commit to delivering sustainable value to our customers, our employees, our communities and our stakeholders.
At Arconic, we:
Act With Integrity : We lead with respect, honesty, transparency and accountability.
Safeguard our Future : We protect and improve the health and safety of our employees, communities and environment.
Grow Stronger Together : We cultivate an inclusive and diverse culture that advocates for equity.
Earn Customer Loyalty : We build customer partnerships through best-in-class products and service.
Drive Operational Excellence : We pursue continuous improvement through innovation, agility, people development and collaboration.
Create Value : We achieve success by generating and growing value for our stakeholders.
United States EEO Statement: Arconic Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
About The Team
Springdale is a part of the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) metropolitan area and region within the Ozark Mountains. Nearby cities include Fayetteville, Rogers, and Bentonville. It is the 13th fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. Growth is driven by several Fortune 500 companies, including Arconic, as well as over 1,300 suppliers and vendors drawn to the region by these large businesses. NWA amenities include the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Walmart AMP and Razorback Regional Greenway.
Our Springdale facility is located in the 4th largest city in the state of Arkansas. Located in both Washington and Benton counties, our city is a diverse and friendly community. Catch a ride on the beautifully restored Arkansas and Missouri Railroad or visit the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the scenic waters of Beaver Lake for water sports and relaxation, and the multitude of parks and trails of the Ozarks. Home to the Randal Tyson Recreational Complex and the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, Springdale offers many unique world-class attractions. See more about Springdale here: explorespringdale.com.