Continuous Improvement Engineer

Position Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer

Reports To: Operations Manager

Location: Liberty, SC

Main Functions / Position Objectives

Implement a system to identify and solve problems by engaging all company personnel. Apply all Continuous Improvement / OpEx (Operational Excellence) principles, tools, and techniques to reduce waste, variation, and overburden on people and processes. Support the leadership team in creating employee engagement in the Continuous Improvement process. Lead, prepare, follow up, and close Continuous Improvement projects and/or events. Train all employees in the different tools used for improvement. Quantify the results of improvement events.

Responsible for training and implementing the 5S program as well as Lean Manufacturing techniques throughout the plant.

Develop the annual Improvement Plan through meetings with Area Managers, based on compliance with corporate value creation metrics.

Manage and follow up on the annual Continuous Improvement Plan, reporting monthly results and generating follow-up actions when results do not meet expected targets.

Present monthly results to corporate.

Improvement Project Focus

• Improvement projects that generate value creation measurable in financial statements.
• Design layouts according to lean manufacturing techniques and safety standards.
• Solve process problems related to low productivity, scrap, quality issues, etc.
• Perform process capability and installed capacity analysis.
• Responsible for training, implementation, and follow-up of 5S activities.
• Monitor results and follow up on actions to sustain scrap reduction results.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Manage, lead, prepare, follow up, and close Rapid Improvement Events (RIE) such as Continuous Flow Creation (CFC), Projects, Kaizen, Kaizen Blitz, TPM implementation, Kanban, Quick Changeover (SMED), among other improvement tools.
• Train and coach, all organization employees in practical problem solving (CPS). Develop problem solvers.
• Continuously monitor and report monthly savings results from scrap reduction projects.
• Implement Tier 1 boards and train associates.
• Implement Tier 2 boards.
• Create layouts during improvement events.
• Create, prepare, and keep updated training support materials used during improvement events.
• Create Value Stream Analysis (VSA) maps.
• Create, support, and train in Standard Work (SW & LSW).
• Develop, train, and follow up on Poka Yoke implementation.
• Manage and participate in the Management Gemba board.
• Establish and validate with Finance and applicable leadership the method to measure value-generating project results.
• Follow up on monthly project results and present validated results to corporate.

Knowledge:

• Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Management Engineering, or related field.
• AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Office.
• Poka Yoke.
• SMED.
• Methods Engineering.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years in engineering-related areas such as Maintenance, Production, or Quality.
• Information analysis capability.
• Creativity, complex problem-solving, planning, proactivity, teamwork.
• Disciplined
• Analytical
• Good listener
• Ingenuity
• Commitment to the company

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Flexible PTO
• Paid holidays
• Prescription Drug Plans
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k):
• Basic Life Insurance
• Onsite Physician
• Employee Referral Program

Join our team and play a pivotal role in transforming our manufacturing processes to achieve greater efficiency and excellence.

We are committed to providing a competitive and fair total compensation package for all employees.

One element in our total compensation package is base pay. The starting base pay for this role is $90,000 to $110,000 per year.

Individual compensation decisions are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to previous experience and skills acquired prior to joining us, cost of living in the assigned work location, assigned schedule, and salaries of similarly situated peers at the company. It is to be expected that candidates will come to us with different sets of skills and experiences and therefore will be paid at different points in the stated range. We recognize that the person(s) we select for hire may be less experienced or more experienced than the role as posted; if this is the case, any updates to available salary ranges will be communicated with candidates during the recruitment process.

Knowles’ Cornell Dubilier brand is a leading designer and manufacturer of custom high-energy discharge capacitors used in a wide range of medical, military, and commercial pulsed energy applications.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We prohibit pay discrimination and discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status.

ITAR Statement: Please note that this position may require access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status) or have the necessary authorization to access controlled technical data. Compliance with ITAR and EAR regulations is a condition of employment.

Notice to Staffing Agencies, Search Firms and Recruitment Agencies: The recruitment process at Knowles is managed through the Human Resources department. Knowles does not accept resumes submitted from 3rd party agencies outside of our system. To submit resumes, 3rd party agencies will need to be a pre-approved vendor with a valid contract in place, be actively engaged by Knowles to recruit for a specific position and have agency log in credentials to submit candidates to our career's portal. Please do not submit resumes via e-mail, through our external website or directly to our employees. Any resumes submitted in this way become the property of Knowles and will not be eligible for any placement fee.