Continuous Improvement Specialist

At Böllhoff, Inc. we are an innovative company focused on employing individuals who are dedicated, loyal and eager to work in a team environment offering independence and opportunity. Böllhoff, Inc. is a global, family owned company with nearly 3,000 employees world-wide. We greatly value all of our employees and show that by offering a generous health insurance package, dental and vision insurance, short term , long term disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401k with free financial advice and an employer match, paid vacations and personal days, 11 paid holidays, annual profit sharing, We also provide a free weekly catered lunch. We encourage our employees to volunteer in our communities and provide financial support to various non-profits.

General Summary

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is highly competent as a process manager and uses a variety of skills such as project design, leadership, and management in order to ensure performance and process development. The person in this position is responsible for using Lean Six Sigma principles to drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence. This role is involved in planning, scheduling, and implementing continuous improvement activities (such as Kaizen) on the production floor of a manufacturing facility.

Primary Responsibilities

- Identifying opportunities for process improvement, waste removal, and cost reduction

- Planning, facilitating, and executing continuous improvement events using Lean Six Sigma tools.

- Teaching, leading, and coaching cross-functional teams on Lean Six Sigma tools and methodology.

- Working to continuously improve processes both on the production floor as well as transactional by collaborating with multiple functions such as logistics

Details of Function

• Clearly defining program objectives and scope
• Evaluating and prioritizing potential improvements based on gains and required effort.
• Securing employee commitment (ex: process managers) for proactive change management
• Establishing a clear and well-articulated implementation plan
• Establishing criteria for the project’s success and preparing a sound statement of constraints/limiting factor.
• Resolving technical problems such as formulation, equipment, product, interpretation of regulations, and resource availability
• Conducting detailed analysis of the current situation that accurately describes the issues.
• Specifying deliverables, outcome indicators, and performance-measured indicators
• Identifying available resources (for example, people, material, and finances)
• Mapping out in detail the desired situation
• Clearly defining methodology
• Accurately analyzing options including impact and feasibility
• Specifying obstacles and ways to overcome them through continuous improvement
• Regularly monitoring the implementation of solutions to achieve objectives and expected benefits.
• Understand and follow the Bollhoff Culture, “The Bollhoff Way”
• All other duties as assigned.

Required and Desired Skills

Must have a passion for not being satisfied with the status quo. Must be motivated to pursue positive change and work with employees in facilitating recommended changes. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to communicate with all levels of employees from upper management to production floor workers. Possess the ability to work with all positions to explain the reasons for changing processes and how to make those changes. Using Lean Six Sigma methodologies lead the improvement efforts and train others to implement them.

Soft Skills

• Passion for Continuous Improvement
• Ability to communicate with all levels within the organization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Predisposition to teach leaders a zero-defect mentality.
• Ability to weigh and manage priorities.
• Skilled at synthesis and analysis
• Detail oriented
• Flexibility and diplomacy when dealing with staff and coworkers.
• Ability to make decisions as well as influence decision-making.
• Strong work habits focusing on safety, quality, and productivity.
• Organizational skills
• Ability to multitask.
• Project management
• Customer service

Hard Skills:

• Continuous Improvement
• 5S
• Lean Manufacturing
• Kaizen
• Lean Six Sigma
• Root Cause Analysis
• Value Stream Mapping
• Proficiency in commonly used and specialized software
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, including advanced skills with Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to work in high paced and changing environments.

Reporting

Reports directly to the Manufacturing Manager in Kendallville, IN

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field; or a minimum of seven years of related experience or training in manufacturing; or the equivalent combination of formal education and experience. The ideal candidate will possess direct experience in leading the continuous improvement operation with an automotive OEM or Tier One supplier. Preference will be given to a candidate with experience leading or directly involved in continuous improvement programs. Excellent oral and written communication skills, plus a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required. A valid driver’s license and a formal background check and drug screen will be required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Continuous improvement: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person