Position Summary This position will be required to be based out of one of the following locations: Manhattan, KS; McCook, NE; or Red Oak, IA and will support multiple locations.
The Lean Leader provides continuous improvement support focusing on targeted improvement initiatives. This role will be tasked with leading focused improvement actions to ensure the site is following the Parker Lean System. The Lean Leader will be tasked actions such as performance metric improvement, site turn-around, other large project support and will be the site's main point of contact for all Lean topics and initiatives.
Scope/ Supervision and Interaction:
This role will report directly to the site Lean Manager or Division Lean Manager and does not have direct reports.
Multiple Site / Group Support - The dimensions of this role typically include manufacturing sites with specific improvement initiatives and may include deployment in an international operating site of division's location.
Responsibilities Parker Lean System deployment, ownership and Governance
- Expert in the Parker Lean System (PLS) methodologies and tools within the site, multisite or Division as needed.
- Lead development, documentation, and deployment of PLS fundamentals (e.g., standard work, 5S/6S, visual management, tiered daily management) to drive the varied value streams at the site to top quartile performance.
- Partner with and coach site leadership to drive strategy deployment activities: data gathering, deciding on prioritization inputs, determine the goals that will align with strategy, and portfolio tracking; support kaizen chartering and preparation.
- Ensure best practices across site(s) and/or across Division or Group; drive sustainment checks and countermeasure follow-up.
Event and Project Execution
- Prepare and provide expert Lean expertise support in large kaizen events for key business critical processes; coordinate logistics, decide on appropriate baseline data to drive strong analysis, track action items, and ensure sustainment activities.
- Assess actions and use expert judgment to determine the correct PLS tools for the project/events and to drive data collection (e.g., time observation, waste walks, spaghetti diagrams, SMED elements, flow/pull pilots) in a manner that supports and allows improvement for the value steam and/or site.
- Drive value stream, site or multisite continuous improvement projects to completion timely within one or more value streams; manage timelines, stakeholders, and basic benefits validation.
Problem Solving and Analytics
- Expert coach to team members on how to determine and apply appropriate problem-solving tools and methods (5-Why, 10 step problem solving, PDCA; exposure to DMAIC), as needed, to issues of increasing complexity that span multiple PLS elements.
- Coach team member to gather and analyze continuous improvement data (e.g., cycle time, changeover, WIP, FPY) to identify waste, quantify improvements, and update Continuous Improvement dashboards/boards.
- Oversee and assess data gathered for accuracy to drive root cause decisions around improvement projects or additional projects focuses for continued site or multisite improvement.
- Ensure control and sustainment plans, including standard work updates and visual controls are deployed and following in the value stream, site or multiple sites.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Participate in, support and coach functional direction to High-Performance Teams (HPT's) within the site.
- Using insights and judgments to build productive working relationships with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to implement process improvements and procedures across one or more value streams.
- Provide direct guidance and leadership on project teams to ensure correct lean processes/practices are being implemented; provide direction/ensure adherence to lean principles in occasional direction settings and prioritization discussions.
- Liaise with vendors and customers on specific issues under guidance from managers or locationleadership.
Communication and Change Support
- Provide clear status updates on activities, risks, and needs; contribute to report-outs and project reviews.
- Lead training and coaching on PLS basics, or advanced PLS topics for operators and team leaders as needed.
Qualifications Bachelor's degree in business or engineering is required with 5+ years of progressive lean experience.
Experience working internationally is a plus.
Strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to travel 50% of the time
Global mobility considered a plus
Additional Comments:
The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.
