Continuous Improvement Leader

Strategically implement lean manufacturing across Pennant’s 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   

Language Skills 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.   Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.   Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills 

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.   Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of MS Outlook Contact Management systems; Excel Spreadsheet software; Visual Manufacturing software and MS Word Word Processing software.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.