Continuous Improvement Manager

Hitchiner Manufacturing

Manager / Director Continuous Improvement

Milford, NH (Onsite only)

Prime Responsibilities and Major Factors in Evaluating Performance:

• Perform as a change agent.
• Collect and analyze operating data, including cycle time, yield, and throughput to identify and set priorities, utilizing the appropriate tools to achieve desired outcome (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean etc.).
• Facilitates the development of value stream maps in order to identify key opportunities (bursts) to eliminate waste and improve performance.
• Implement process changes and other cost out initiatives to reduce cost, minimize production order lead time and to improve quality and delivery performance.
• Create 5S Audit and daily cadence around 5S expectations – Gemba, Visual Factory.
• Mentor and coach project leaders, managers, and supervisors in the continuous improvement process.
• Train employees in lean manufacturing at all levels within the organizations.
• Conduct, lead and facilitate cross functional Kaizen, Kaikaku and Six Sigma events.
• Recommend and implement strategies for operations to improve value added ratios.
• Work independently, using considerable judgment toward general results.
• Devise new, or modify and adapt existing, methods, techniques and procedures to meet new or unique requirements and to make related decisions within limits of established policies.
• Maintain timeline RAILS and budget, determine appropriate tool use, perform analysis, and act as the central point of contact for specific process improvement projects.
• Use of one or more advanced statistical analysis software packages.
• Manage and motivate people and be pro-active in problem solution. Strong organizational skills and ability to set and adhere to strict deadlines required.
• Manage the activities of, and give direction to, the trainer(s) in the Center For Excellence Training facility.
• Direct the assigned Operational Excellence Leaders in multiple facilities.
• Meet with Plant specific Lean Steering Committees to prioritize Continuous Improvement activities in alignment with business requirements and expectations.

• Additional Responsibilities:
• Ensure that all activities and operations are performed in compliance with the Company’s Code of Conduct.
• Observe the Hitchiner safety and quality principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:
• Must possess the ability to facilitate and motivate groups at all levels within the organization to achieve a specific outcome.
• Must be a team player and have ability to work independently and in groups.
• Must be technically oriented individual held in high regard by peers.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing principles or Six Sigma, or equivalent training and career development in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma preferred.
• Must actively be involved in organizational change and development process.
• May have formal training and education in any of a number of disciplines and need not be a formally trained statistician or engineer.
• Must understand one or more operating systems and be proficient in creating spreadsheets, use of databases, creating slide show presentations and use of one or more word processing programs.
• Technical BS/BA or equivalent; Master’s degree a plus.