Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Direct reporting to the Director of Engineering

FLSA Status: Exempt

Approved by:

JOB SUMMARY:

Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for leading cross-functional teams within the 24/7 operations and with key business partners with customer to execute Continuous Improvement / Lean and / or Six Sigma initiatives aligned with Operations and Engineering Leadership priorities. They are responsible for developing a strategy and driving a plan to deliver process performance improvements related to safety, quality and process effectiveness, and efficiency, realizing profitability through cost avoidance, cost reduction, labor management, inventory accuracy and quality improvement.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for identifying the actions needed to meet or exceed the operation’s budget. They will create forecasts, review actuals, and drive appropriate responses to emergent conditions.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is the subject matter expert of the operational processes needed to meet customer requirements, with a strong knowledge of related IT requirements. He will be the bridge between IT and operations to identify and then implement operationally needed IT solutions and / or enhancements.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Process

• Develop continuous improvement culture, across team-members through operation’s leadership, which is high in personal accountability and engagement.
• Provide Lean leadership, employing the full Lean toolbox to promote Lean methodologies and develop problem solving capabilities across the business.
• Collaborate across the operation, company and as appropriate the customer to lead projects and kaizen events by deploying structured problem solving to improve processes and eliminate waste.
• Lead, motivate, and drive cross-functional teams’ performance toward achieving the common goal of completing projects according to the defined objectives, on budget and on time.
• Train and drive the application of various quality tools including root cause analysis to solve problems. Validate that corrective actions are implemented and effective.
• Ensure the development, analysis and use of process flows including inbound, put away, replenishment, picking, repacking, shipping, and VAS processes to ensure accuracy and ability to execute on floor.
• Understand contractual commitments, customer specifications, scope changes and other data to develop improved process and solutions for the operation that result in improved performance metrics.
• Strong knowledge of labor management, including engineered labor standards and process standards to ensure efficiency and quality for the operation.
• Support efforts to minimize product and process variability.

Data Analytics

• Use data, creating Pareto’s, histogram, trends charts, etc. to identify problems and / or continuous improvement opportunities and to validate improvements are realized.
• Work with IT Team on data visualization and create logic to build metrics that helps in operations execution.
• Extract Data from WMS and analyze to drive major decision in operations and projects.

Financials

• Provide input to the operation’s CI budget.
• Create forecasts to drive visibility of actions needed to meet or exceed the budget.
• Month to Month analysis for operational CI savings adherence.
• Prepare and complete reports for financial reviews, participate in the financial reviews.
• Execute the invoicing process for the operation.
• Understand contractual obligation and pricing to determine out of scope activities.
• Create ROIs for projects and track savings.

WMS

• Uses knowledge of Warehouse Management System (WMS) - Infor functionality, as the voice of the operation to ensure it is configured to meet the needs of the operation and to optimize performance.

Projects

• Develop and implement projects that bring process and financial improvement in the operation. Coordinate with Implementation and other key stakeholders to determine timeline, savings and have successful implementation.

General

• Conduct performance reviews of direct reports and manage Company HR Systems requirement.
• Compliance to the Internal Labor Regulations and to the Human Resources Procedures.
• Compliance with Security, Safety and Hygiene Measures & Procedures.
• Any other tasks as assigned by Manager.
• Adhere to company management policies.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS

• Strong Knowledge of Quality, Lean and Six Sigma methodologies and Six Sigma tools.
• Hands on track record applying continuous improvement fundamentals such as: Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, 5S, Visual Management, error proofing, and the DMAIC Way
• Experience in working in 24/7 warehouse operations.
• Advanced knowledge of all MS Office products: Project, Visio, Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Infor- Warehouse Management Systems allowing for understanding of system capabilities.
• Process, layout, and storage design.
• Lean, Six Sigma and / or Project management (PMP) Certification.
• Strong Project Management Skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Effective communication and people skills.
• Knowledge of material handling equipment as well as various storage methodologies.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferred in industrial engineering, Engineering Management & Supply Chain engineering or related field.

TRAVEL

• Candidate can expect up to travel for short term implementation and training up to 50%.

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. Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. Some light physical exertion may be required, and individuals may be required to sit for long periods of time.

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. The performance of this position is conducted in various working conditions, anywhere from long hours on the warehouse floor, to at a desk in a climate-controlled office.

Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.