Manager, Continuous Improvement

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.

ResponsibilitiesOwn 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. Qualifications Education:Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Technology or related fieldBlack or Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred ExperienceMinimum of five (5) years leadership or engineering experience in an industrial manufacturing environmentMinimum two (2) years Continuous Improvement/Lean Six Sigma experience Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of process/continuous improvement tools, methodologies and practices; knowledge of 5S activities and auditsKnowledge of root cause analysisKnowledge of statistical dataTechnical knowledge of mechanicsWorking knowledge of SAP preferredAbility to work in a hands-on, fast-paced manufacturing environmentAbility to communicate effectively throughout the plant and across the organization, such as with Sales and Customer ServiceAbility to work extended hours as neededAbility to identify areas of opportunity and provide creative solutions that will benefit the plantAbility to perform all product testing proceduresAbility to supervise, coach and train others, ensuring company goals are achieved Ability to travel approximately 10% of the timeCritical thinking skillsCustomer service skillsProblem solving skillsTime management skillsNegotiation skillsActive listening skillsLeadership skillsComputer skills in MS Windows environment; proficient in Word, PowerPoint and Excel ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSpecial Tools/Equipment Used:Computer Phone Physical Demands:Must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty (20) poundsRegularly required to sit, stand, walk and reach with hands and arms Working Conditions:May be exposed to varying temperatures and dusty conditionsRegularly exposed to a fast-paced environmentModerate noise level