Associate Lean Specialist

West Pharmaceutical Services • Kearney, NE

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The fully onsite Associate Lean Specialist supports the execution and sustainment of Lean and continuous improvement initiatives at the site. Working under the direction of the Lean Manager, this role partners with Operations and cross-functional teams to implement process improvements, maintain Lean systems, and drive measurable gains in cost, quality, delivery, and operational efficiency in alignment with facility and corporate objectives.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience participating in continuous improvement initiatives, 5S programs, or process optimization efforts strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on action items.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Lean principles and tools such as 5S, visual management, standard work, and basic root cause problem solving.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret operational data to support improvement initiatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Able to sit and/or stand for extended periods; stand on concrete floors for long duration
• Able to climb stairs and ladders
• Must be able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize.
• Must also be able to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to make independent and sound judgments.
• Read and interpret data, information, and documents
• Analyze and solve problems
• Observe and interpret situations
• Work under deadlines with constant interruptions
• Must follow and comply with Plant’s Dress and Hygiene Code (SOI).
• Must follow and comply with all Company and Plant policies, procedure (SOIs), rules and State and Federal laws
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Excellent communicator with ability to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts and ambiguity

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Business, Manufacturing, or related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing or Lean experience will be considered.
• Experience participating in continuous improvement activities in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Familiarity with manufacturing safety, quality, and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, ISO, FDA, cGMP) preferred.
• Willingness to pursue Lean or Six Sigma certification (e.g., Green Belt) as part of professional development.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution and sustainment of site Lean and continuous improvement initiatives under the direction of the Lean Manager.
• Serve as primary coordinator for the site 5S program, including conducting regular floor audits, tracking audit scores, and maintaining documentation of results.
• Physically engage on the production floor to evaluate 5S conditions, identify gaps, and partner with area owners to implement corrective actions.
• Track 5S action items to closure, follow up on overdue items, and provide status updates to the Lean Manager and Operations leadership.
• Maintain visual management standards across production areas, including labeling, floor markings, storage locations, and standard work postings.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating Kaizen events and structured problem-solving activities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance) to apply Lean and Six Sigma tools to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Support the deployment and sustainment of the Lean Daily Management System (LDMS), ensuring boards, metrics, and escalation processes are functioning as intended.
• Maintain and track Lean performance metrics, including project status, validated savings, and continuous improvement reporting using standard templates.
• Assist in monitoring project progress and following up on action items to ensure timely and sustainable implementation.
• Participate in DMAIC projects by supporting data collection, analysis, documentation, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Help maintain site Lean documentation, including process maps, standard work, layout documentation, and improvement records.
• Collaborate with site and network Lean resources to share best practices when applicable.
• Identify process barriers and escalate improvement opportunities to the Lean Manager.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, instructions, and safety rules.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on business needs.

Benefits

• Benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.
• Opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED