Lean Specialist

Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 600 passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

The Lean Specialist works alongside the Whisker team of Manufacturing Engineers, Engineering Technicians, Maintenance Technicians, and others to design, launch, refine, and maintain current and upcoming assembly lines, processes, and facilities. The Lean Specialist will work with cross-functional teams to ensure that solutions are developed, projects are completed, and issues are resolved, all focusing on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Develops and implements lean manufacturing strategies, goals, and initiatives to improve operational efficiency, and flow, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
• Assists in training team members on methodologies such as 5S, Lean, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and visual management.
• Partners with production, engineering, and supply chain teams to analyze existing processes and identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement by fostering employee engagement, empowerment, and accountability at all levels of the organization.
• Collaborates with leadership to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and collects data to monitor process performance and measure the success of lean initiatives.
• Leads lean training and education initiatives to build organizational capability and ensure alignment with lean principles and practices.
• Provides guidance and support to cross-functional teams during lean projects and initiatives, ensuring successful implementation and sustainable results.
• Stays current on industry best practices and emerging trends in lean manufacturing, and incorporates new methodologies and technologies as appropriate.
• Will perform additional responsibilities when required.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent years of experience
• 2 years of experience in lean manufacturing and operational leadership roles, with a proven track record of implementing lean principles and driving operational excellence
• Strong knowledge of lean tools and methodologies, including value stream mapping, 5S, kanban, SMED, TPM, and Kaizen
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs)

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Experience with Injection molded plastics
• Lean Six Sigma certification
• Experience with electronic components (i.e.; motors, wire harnesses, printed circuit boards)
• Experience with Google Suite
• CAD experience

Benefits & Purrks:

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance discount
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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