Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer is tasked with the facilitation and deployment of the Vallourec Management System. Primary focus on the definition of the region strategy regarding the roll out of corporate programs related to lean management.  The Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer will provide leadership to the VPA’s to assist department leaders in the identification, prioritization, and implementation of projects that improve key business indicators. He/she will provide expertise and support in addition to monitoring, facilitation, leading, and training all team members as needed in our Lean Management system, including but not limited to methods such as 5S, TPM, standardization, workflow analysis, value stream mapping, and Six Sigma.  The Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer will track overall improvement progress and report as necessary to executive management.  The Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer will also be required to support other sites and other divisions of Vallourec Corporation as needed, which may result in up to 25% travel.​  

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop and maintain detailed process/value stream maps and metrics for the key manufacturing and business processes.  
• Support cross-site and cross-functional efforts to improve shared business processes – both transactional and operational and lead the effort to streamline processes across all sites.   
• Help units identify key performance indicators and develop tools to improve them (flow complexity, purchasing methods, and value analysis of process). Ensure through audits, that tools are appropriately and effectively used. 
• Work with all business units and department managers to identify, prioritize, and execute on projects that improve their key performance indicators.  Lead and/or facilitate all continuous improvement efforts associated with Safety, Quality, Operational Excellence, Cost, and People. 
• Work with financial representatives across the business to validate project justification and success. 
• Drive continuous improvement – lean manufacturing methodologies in the day-to-day operations.  
• Lead VPA’s to deploy the appropriate Safety / Quality / Delivery / Cost / People metrics and management routines at all levels of the organization.  
• Supervise VAPs to ensure good delivery and sustainability of improvement results.  Assure the appropriate performance indicators are in place and that teams have been provided with adequate knowledge to achieve and maintain their improvements. 
• Coach, mentor, and develop VPA’s, including providing career development planning and opportunities.    
• Coordinate the North America Six Sigma program and act as expert/coach for project leaders. Lead Six Sigma projects as needed.  
• Coordinate and report status of improvement and cost-saving efforts/results and report to executive leadership and corporate as needed. 
• Assist leadership in the planning, development, coordination, support, and execution of the strategic planning process, and take ownership of high-impact (immediate and long-term) improvement projects.  
• Instill a problem-solving and Continuous Improvement culture across sites and in related areas of the organization. 
• Facilitate the process improvement teams and provide counsel and assistance to the project team leaders with respect to facilitation techniques, quality systems, continual improvement, and cost reduction. 
• Coordinate the content of all Lean training materials and lead the implementation of a structured target training program for improvement teams. Lead the development and implementation of all levels of the hourly Skill-Based Development program as it relates to Lean and Six Sigma methods. 
• Lead benchmarking and the exchange of knowledge and best practices in relation to lean and Six Sigma methodologies with Vallourec Group steering committees and other entities. 
• Must follow all company policies, practices, and regulations to include Safety and Quality. 
• Any other duties as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• ​​​​​A background in Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or Operations leadership is highly preferred – understands process flow, waste identification, and lean manufacturing principles 
• ​Mechanical, Industrial engineering, or technical training (vocational) also preferred, but not required. 
• ​Has worked in jobs dedicated to the shop floor at some point during their career.​​​​ 

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree. An applicable engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, automation)
• A master's degree is preferred. 
• Certified in Greenbelt, Blackbelt is preferred. 

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE: 

• ​​​Understanding of business strategy and concepts. Operations leadership or process engineering experience in the Industrial sector. 
• ​Drive to be involved with the shop floor personnel, creating an integral communication. 
• ​Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.). 
• ​Must be available for in-town and periodic long-distance travel.