
ALLSTAFF
Continuous Improvement / Lean Specialist
Position Overview
Responsible for implementing and sustaining Lean Initiatives, Leading/Serving as a Mentor for Kaizen Events and Process Improvement throughout the facility. Strong focus placed on order/material flow. Serve a key role in helping develop a world class Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement culture. This includes training employees on Lean tools, planning and coordination/leading of Kaizen events, monitoring performance vs. improvement targets, sustaining changes made during events and execution of continuous improvement projects
Duties and Responsibilities
Organize and coordinate Kaizen activities, including the planning and execution of Kaizen events/teams.
Assist in the collection and preparation of proper prerequisite data for each Kaizen event.
Follow-up on Kaizen events to ensure 30-day and Parking Lot follow-up items are completed as scheduled.
Monitor and report on 90-day sustainment of Kaizen event improvements.
Train employees on Continuous Improvement techniques as needed to assure complete familiarity and ease of use.
This includes Principles of Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six-Sigma, Takt Time, Standard Work, 5S, Standard Work Cell Layout, Value Stream Mapping and other Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement techniques.
Perform the role of Facilitator, Team Leader, or Team Member on Kaizen events, and facilitate event training on the first day of events.
Contribute to and promote Continuous Improvement/Kaizen activities throughout the plant- including methods, tools, roadmap systems, elaboration, and deployment- apply Lean principles to the capital expenditure (CAPEX) process, including scoping, defining, selecting, implementing, and validating new capital investments.
Actively pursue avenues for reducing wastes.
Implement and monitor sustainable visual management programs throughout the plant, including 5S, schedule adherence, and other shop floor reporting.
Lead Planning and Review (P&R) sessions to develop Kaizen event schedules based on business goals, needs, and risks. Also lead monthly Kaizen Steering Committee meetings with senior staff.
Support plant-wide Safety initiatives.
Coordinate and collaborate with other Lean personnel across the business unit, group, and enterprise.
Additional duties as assigned.
Skills and Experience
2+ years lean manufacturing experience.
Having experience in a Lean environment and awareness of Lean tools is required.
Ability and desire to spend most of work time on the factory floor being a convincing, persistent, trainer and communicator is mandatory.
Manufacturing experience required.
Lean Six-Sigma training is a plus.
Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communications skills.
Computer Skills: Must have strong Microsoft Office, e-mail, and other PC application skills.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering – General