What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuous Improvement & Quality Specialist position at Peco Pallet?
Position Summary:
The Continuous Improvement and Quality Specialist supports continuous improvement and quality initiatives across PECO operations. Working directly with depot and field teams, this position assists in identifying improvement opportunities, implementing Lean principles, facilitating problem-solving activities, and supporting corrective action processes. The role combines hands-on operational engagement with administrative support for quality systems, project activities, and performance tracking. Success in this role requires strong communication skills, a practical approach to problem solving, and the ability to influence change through collaboration, coaching, and training.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinates and supports Lean implementation activities across the organization, including Depot in the Box, Depot Bronze training, hands-on implementation workshops, and field coaching on Lean tools and expected practices.
- Serves as the assigned Lean resource for designated operational improvement projects by supporting project kickoff, scope definition, process mapping, action planning, and follow-up using Lean, PDCA, and root cause analysis methodology.
- Partners with operations teams to identify waste, evaluate process gaps, and implement practical improvements that support standardized work, depot certification readiness, and sustained operational performance.
- Supports visual management and workplace organization initiatives, including 5S blitz events, depot layout improvements, shadow boards, signage, visual controls, and other tools that reinforce safe, organized, and efficient work practices.
- Develops, updates, and communicates process documentation, standard work materials, project trackers, scorecards, and performance metrics to ensure teams have clear expectations and consistent tools for monitoring progress.
- Coordinates the quality concern process by documenting issues, supporting investigations, assisting with root cause and corrective action development, entering or maintaining CRM-related information, and tracking follow-up through resolution.
- Supports quality system administration and network process standardization by maintaining quality records, assisting with audits or reviews, organizing templates and tools, and helping ensure consistent application of quality procedures across locations.
- Plans and facilitates training sessions, workshops, waste walks, and improvement events with depot, field, and operational teams to build capability and reinforce practical use of Lean and quality tools.
- Builds effective working relationships across operations, quality, safety, training, and corporate functions to align improvement priorities, remove barriers, and support consistent execution across the network.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Key Competencies for Success
- Strong facilitation and communication skills
- Ability to lead and influence without direct authority
- Practical understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Comfortable working in operational and shop-floor environments
- Team-oriented with a positive and engaging approach
- Ability to travel extensively and work independently
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and business systems used for project tracking, analysis and communication
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
- Early career to mid-level experience in operations, manufacturing, logistics, quality, Lean, continuous improvement, or related business experience preferred
- Practical experience supporting Lean activities, process improvement, root cause analysis, corrective action or visual management preferred
- Base knowledge of quality systems, audit support, customer quality documentation or CRM processes preferred
- Lean Six Sigma, quality systems, or related continuous improvement certification preferred but not required
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively to support field implementation, shop floor training and operational improvement activities
Environment/Physical Demands:
- Remote work environment with frequent time spent in depot, shop floor, warehouse and other operational settings
- Hands-on operational support may require standing, walking, bending, lifting and working around pallet repair, sortation or warehouse activity
- May assist with setup and facilitation of visual management tools, 5S activities, training materials and other shop floor improvement resources
- Computer work up to 8 hours
- Must follow all applicable site safety requirements, personal protective equipment requirements and operational procedures while in field locations
Travel:
- Up to 75%
- As needed to support Lean implementation, quality administration, process improvement projects, shop floor training and field execution activities
PECO Pallet Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PECO celebrates our continuous journey pursuing diversity through inclusion and empowerment of our employees to shape the future of the company and deliver our pillars of Quality and Service to all customers.