Continuous Improvement Manager

Summary:

The Manager Continuous Improvement is responsible for assessing, monitoring, and improving the business performance of the organization. In this role, you will analyze current practices and develop business process improvements as well as implement changes in workflows, structures, and teams to ensure continuous company performance. Success in this position requires well-developed influencing skills with leadership as well as cross-functionally throughout the organization. Proactive integration with other business functions (R&D, Marketing, Operations, Procurement, Plant Engineering, and Sales) will also be critical to successfully meeting the company’s needs. Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes and process improvement is necessary. The ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously from concept to implementation which support the business quality, service, and cost imperatives is also important.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with manufacturing teams to improve OEE performance by work center to 70%
• Use lean principles including production line smoothing (mura) to drive out waste (muda) while improving performance on safety, quality, service, cost and capacity
• Develop, train and coach all levels of employees in fundamentals of continuous improvement to create a self-sustaining culture of continuous improvement.
• Monitor new employees to quickly help them establish a continuous improvement mindset.
• Facilitates and leads the continuous improvement process by identifying training needs and providing training in problem solving methodology, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, etc. and translating and establishing Visual Management, 5-s, Kanban’s and other Lean initiatives at the manufacturing and distribution locations.
• Proposes and leads Continuous Improvement projects in the plant to achieve expected benefits.
• Contribute to, or conduct, continuous improvement projects that drive efficiency improvements throughout the company’s supply chain.
• Investigate shortfalls, issues, and complaints in current business processes.
• Monitor operational performance and organizational processes.
• Manage Continuous Improvement Projects and report on progress to leadership.
• Work with cross functional teams such as Manufacturing, Marketing, Engineering, and Sales to identify and implement cost reduction initiatives.
• Provide guidance, lead and support Quality and Manufacturing teams to troubleshoot and solve issues.
• Acts as a change agent via encouraging employees at all levels to contribute to process optimization efforts.
• Conduct capacity studies and identify/implement productivity improvements.
• Maintain positive working relationships with all levels in the organization.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Competencies:

• Excellent problem solving, organization, planning, human relations, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and financial acumen
• Ability to lead change using Change Management tools and techniques.
• Ability to lead and influence people at all levels throughout the organization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Travel:

Limited

Work Environment:

This job operates in a manufacturing environment and requires 80%-85% for the work time on the production floor. Worker can be exposed to extreme heat and cold on the production floor. Exposure to sufficient noise to cause worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level. Worker exposed to hazards such as proximity to moving mechanical parts.

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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel and visually track moving objects.