Head of Continuous Improvement

FRP is excited to partner in recruiting for a new role for Continuous Improvement Leader. Our client specializes in metal fabricated components and parts and has locations throughout the midwest. This is based near their Lebanon, TN plant.

Strategically implement lean manufacturing across the operating facilities in order to continually improve the production process. These actions will be driven by the following actions:

• Utilize 6 Sigma
• Maximize productivity and efficiency
• Maintain consistent and lean operations across multiple locations
• Produce high quality/on-time parts
• Present our plants to customers in the best light

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Create and Execute a corporate level operations roadmap that will provide consistent metrics across all facilities
• Take a Proactive approach when it comes to problem solving using predictive and preventative measures
• Stay up to date on new and future manufacturing technology including, automation, processing, set up, etc. that will positively impact bottom line financial performance through efficiency gains, cost savings, etc.
• Provide unique offerings that will allows us to maximize margins and/or enter into new markets
• 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
• 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 factors
• Appropriately implementing principles of governance
• Resolving technical problems such as formulation, equipment, product, interpretation of regulations, and resource availability
• Identifying intervention priorities and indicators
• 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
• Lead development and implementation of a cross-location scheduling system
• Identify consistent methodologies to employ for shop floor data capture (hits per machine, “real-time” time and productivity capture, metric monitoring tools, etc.)
• Identify best in class processes across all locations that allocates correct work to the correct location
• Create and foster a continuous improvement culture to assist shop floor employees that will help to identify and implement improvements (safety, quality, scheduling, etc.)
• Identify, lead and participate in finite continuous improvement efforts

Supervisory Responsibilities

This is a hands on leadership position, and does not currently have direct supervisory responsibility. At the same time, it requires authority over the operation’s teams to drive the goals and objectives of the position. With grow, it is expected that this critical leadership position will have direct reports as the organization develops.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; and fiv to seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Additional required experience/skills is as follows:

Hands on Manufacturing Experience including metal stamping

• Formal Lean/Kaizen/6S training with a minimum of green belt certification
• A desire to be hands on leading and doing
• Energetic, dynamic and collaborative
• Able to partner with plant managers, yet hold them accountable for retaining/maintaining improvements
• Flexible traveling schedule