What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Continuous Improvement position at Knauf North America?
Knauf Insulation North America is the world's fastest-growing insulation manufacturer. We are wholly committed to the conservation of the environment while also sustainably developing and manufacturing a comprehensive line of acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, marine, OEM and metal building applications, using post-consumer recycled materials.
We welcome passionate and creative individuals who thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative and ever-changing environment.
Our benefits go beyond just providing coverage.
We’re committed to the whole you – your health, wealth, peace of mind, self and community.
Our benefits include:
Apply online or contact us to hear why our employees appreciate being part of the Knauf family!
About the Role:
The Continuous Improvement Specialist manages the plant’s continuous improvement (CI) effort. (S)he is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement throughout the plant. The CI Specialist is a champion of CI principles, a practitioner of CI and related methodologies, and a coach and trainer to the plant leadership team, supervision, and all plant employees. Effective CI results in improved safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee morale.
Responsibilities
Education:
Special Tools/Equipment Used:
We welcome passionate and creative individuals who thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative and ever-changing environment.
Our benefits go beyond just providing coverage.
We’re committed to the whole you – your health, wealth, peace of mind, self and community.
Our benefits include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision – starting on day one!
- Virtual Medical Services
- Fertility and adoption benefits
- 401(k) Retirement Plan (earn 100% matching on your first 6% contribution and fully vested day one)
- Paid parental leave
- Paid Family Leave
- Company provided Salary Continuance (Short-term Disability)
- Company paid life insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Plus, more!
Apply online or contact us to hear why our employees appreciate being part of the Knauf family!
About the Role:
The Continuous Improvement Specialist manages the plant’s continuous improvement (CI) effort. (S)he is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement throughout the plant. The CI Specialist is a champion of CI principles, a practitioner of CI and related methodologies, and a coach and trainer to the plant leadership team, supervision, and all plant employees. Effective CI results in improved safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee morale.
Responsibilities
- Own the annual CI plan. Work with plant leadership to develop and publish it. Track progress and update as required.
- Facilitate the plant CI Steering Committee to manage and improve the plant CI program. Understand the Knauf CI Framework. Assess the plant CI maturity to the framework. Identify gaps and plan to improve. Facilitate improvement programs. Publish results. Sustain the improvements. Correct as necessary. Celebrate successes.
- Lead regular improvement workshops. Coordinate with plant leadership to identify areas for improvement, facilitate workshops, and involve everyone, improve systems, and effectively sustain the gains.
- Lead CI training. Establish, publish, maintain, and update a plant CI training plan. Facilitate teaching in both the classroom and shop floor environments. Serve as a role model for excellent instructional training and development of these capabilities in others.
- Understand, cultivate, and improve the plant CI culture. Using a process focus, facilitate the leadership team to establish/improve leader standard work, visual controls, and standard accountability processes. Ensure innovation programs are effective. Improve team problem solving. Involve everyone.
- Facilitate the use of advanced methodologies and tools, including root cause analysis, team problem solving, lean six sigma, A3 problem solving, and other applicable tools. Help the plant become more process and data driven.
- Visually Track results and publicize results.
- Be an advocate for and set an example of KI Values and Behaviors in all actions and duties.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Technology or related field
- Black or Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred
- Minimum of five (5) years’ leadership or engineering experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
- Minimum two (2) years’ Continuous Improvement/Lean Six Sigma experience
- Knowledge of process/continuous improvement tools, methodologies and practices; knowledge of 5S activities and audits
- Knowledge of root cause analysis
- Knowledge of statistical data
- Technical knowledge of mechanics
- Working knowledge of SAP preferred
- Ability to work in a hands-on, fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Ability to communicate effectively throughout the plant and across the organization, such as with Sales and Customer Service
- Ability to work extended hours as needed
- Ability to identify areas of opportunity and provide creative solutions that will benefit the plant
- Ability to perform all product testing procedures
- Ability to supervise, coach and train others, ensuring company goals are achieved
- Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time
- Critical thinking skills
- Customer service skills
- Problem solving skills
- Time management skills
- Negotiation skills
- Active listening skills
- Leadership skills
- Computer skills in MS Windows environment; proficient in Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Special Tools/Equipment Used:
- Computer
- Phone
- Must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty (20) pounds
- Regularly required to sit, stand, walk and reach with hands and arms
- May be exposed to varying temperatures and dusty conditions
- Regularly exposed to a fast-paced environment
- Moderate noise level