OverviewWaters Corporation is seeking a highly motivated and team-oriented candidate to lead our Continuous Improvement (CI) program for Manufacturing Operations based in Milford, Massachusetts. This position will be responsible for fostering a culture of sustainable change through the creation and embedding of Lean / CI methodology and the supporting framework to deliver business impact. It will play a critical role in manufacturing and back-office process improvement, along with strategy and deployment.
The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert, coach, and partner with site leadership to drive lean CI activities. The position will collaborate with a global peer group to promote and expand the deployment of lean and to share and standardize best practices.
The successful candidate will be a passionate and agile leader, who strives to deliver superior value to our internal and external customers every day. This hands-on position requires dynamic leadership, excellent interpersonal skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, a solid command of key Lean tools as well as a compelling initiative to see the organization succeed.
Responsibilities- Partner with the site leadership team to develop and execute the plan for continuous improvement within the overall framework of our Lean Operating System and deployment roadmap.
- Lead focused transformation efforts in key areas of the site(s).
- Apply Structured Problem Solving and/or Value Stream Mapping to facilitate and lead groups through analysis, improvement planning, and implementation.
- Improve/install tiered visual and daily management reporting systems to enable effective management of the factory.
- Charter, plan, and facilitate kaizen events to drive immediate, sustainable improvements on the shop floor.
- Analyze and improve transaction-based processes to identify sources of waste and productivity improvements for increased efficiency and cost savings.
- Deliver formal and informal training on key Lean and CI tools including Daily Management, Problem Solving, 6S, Setup reduction, Kanban, OEE, and line efficiency.
- Coach, build, and grow the skills and capabilities of others in Lean methods and Continuous Improvement.
- Challenge current thinking to drive a higher level of sustainable results.
- Demonstrate knowledge sharing (leading practices, benchmarking) from across Waters and outside of the organization.
- Drive targeted, sustainable improvement in SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity) that is tied to company objectives.
- Support opportunities at other sites or outside manufacturing as appropriate.
Qualifications- 10 + Years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment
- Bachelor's degree required; Advanced degree preferred
- Ability to engage leaders and shop floor employees in deploying lean methodologies
- A track record of sustainable results
- Prior knowledge and practical experience in a manufacturing/industrial setting with a strong focus on Lean Manufacturing operations
- Experience in deploying a Lean Operating System in a manufacturing environment achieving breakthrough results in safety/quality/productivity/supply agility
- Experience with end-to-end value stream improvement with tools including, SMED, 6S, Visual Management, Daily Management, standard work, etc. preferred
- Lean/Six-Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent qualification preferred
- Strong leadership skills, self-directed and the ability to make independent decisions; Bias towards action
- Capable of positively influencing people at all levels in the organization
- Competent in the use of advanced statistical and six-sigma techniques preferred
- PMP certification or equivalent project management training and experience preferred
- Experience with Visio and Microsoft Office applications
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and drive improvements
- Strong facilitation and coaching skills
