PurposeThe Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence through Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, waste elimination, and process standardization. This role ensures sustainable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement while building a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization. Serve as a visible, hands-on coach by maintaining a strong presence on the production floor, actively engaging with employees at all levels to identify improvement opportunities, reinforce Lean principles, develop problem-solving capabilities, and foster a culture of continuous improvement through daily collaboration and mentorship.
Main Responsibilities- Adhere to OSHA regulations, ISO 1400, QS9000 standards and policies.
- Adhere to all safety policies and contribute to the improvement of the safety culture at the plant through active participation in safety activities and teams.
- Must follow Ahlstrom's manufacturing and hygiene processes, procedures and policies, as applicable, to the position's areas of responsibility, in order to meet and maintain the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements for each grade of paper.
- Deploy continuous improvement activities and gains by identifying the roadmap and project plan.
- Achieve results through the deployment of continuous improvement activities according to the roadmap.
- Act as the first line of contact with Plant Management on impact metric commitments (safety, quality, delivery, cost, cash, people).
- Align continuous improvement activities with vision and site(s) strategic plans through annual business plan process.
- Establish and maintain network to ensure in-depth knowledge of practical examples and best practices both internally and externally.
- Developing, mentoring identified candidates for project-based leadership.
- Drive and coordinate the ongoing implementation of the continuous improvement program and initiatives, ensuring standardization and planning expectations are met.
- Report all necessary weekly and monthly reports-of-progress, KPI's etc. to plant management.
- Enter and maintain teams/projects in Ahlstrom reporting tool.
- Collect and report continuous improvement savings In Ahlstrom reporting tool.
- Continue to streamline business processes to increase efficiency and minimize cost.
- Oversee the infrastructure for team support, meeting rooms, data sharing access to templates, team boards, machine boards, etc.
- Actively lead and participate in the continuous improvement processes by incorporating methodologies into operations and business systems.
- Support teams by ensuring that they have the materials needed, barriers to success are removed, and results are documented.
- Perform regular audits to ensure teams remain on track, utilizing the methodology and staying focused on targeted issues.
- Created and provide training as required for all levels of employees on continuous improvement methodologies.
- Obtain regular feedback from teams, crews, and management to identify problems and to develop action plans to resolve issues.
- Actively participate in capital projects through payback calculations, project audits, and project implementation.
- Identifies training needs and develops plans to address needs.
- Must have knowledge of Ahlstrom Information security when handling information and maintaining or using information systems or information networks.
- Use proper personal protective equipment as needed and directed; follow all safety rules and regulations; and actively work to improve safety.
- Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
- All other assignments assigned by management.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all the "essential functions" for purposes of the ADA.
Qualifications- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
- 5-7 years of experience in a process industry/automotive industry.
- Six Sigma & LEAN manufacturing training/certification
- LEAN Six Sigma Blackbelt Certification (Preferred)
- Bachelor's degree (Preferred)
Competencies- Good written and verbal communication skills as well as teamwork skills
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- Must be well organized and highly efficient.
- Computer literate- Microsoft Windows/Word/Excel and Company software
- Experience in implementing application software.
- Excellent facilitation, professional, written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and statistical skills.
- Experience in a team-based environment
- Demonstrated team development skills.
- High level of initiative and independence in managing responsibilities.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Knowledge of change management principles.
- Working knowledge of Quality tools, SPC/SQC, LEAN.
- Ability to travel overnight as required by the position including international travel.
- Possess the ability to sit, stand, walk, use hands, arms, and fingers to handle controls, talk and hear.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing production setting, with exposure to working near moving parts.
- Regular attendance at work is required. Ability to work additional hours during the week, on weekends, or outside of regular office hours may be required.
The ability to work in a normal office environment to include sitting or standing for long periods of time, operating various standard office equipment, carrying paper documents/files, reaching and bending, speaking on the telephone. May include safely walking through our manufacturing plant and wearing required personal protection gear (i.e. hearing and foot protection).
