Continuous Improvement Analyst

Lehi Valley Trading Company•Mesa, AZ

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Analyst leads continuous improvement initiatives across Lehi Valley Trading facilities. The role implements lean practices throughout operations and fosters a cost-conscious culture of continuous improvement at every level of the business. It champions the integration of an MES software platform and partners with finance to establish metrics and systems for tracking costs, return on investment, and financial savings against defined goals. The position supports the development, documentation, and organization-wide adoption of continuous improvement processes and best practices. It improves production workflow speed and efficiency while developing leaders who can increase productivity without compromising quality. The role also manages training coordinators and ensures employees receive effective continuous improvement and lean training, beginning on their first day. The analyst develops and maintains the annual continuous improvement plan, including value-stream mapping, improvement projects, and their financial impact. Projects must use appropriate food and employee safety practices. The position may also complete special studies and projects assigned by company leadership. It reports to Operations Leadership (TBD), supervises training programs and continuous improvement initiatives, and may lead project teams. This is an exempt, full-time position. Work hours and days vary based on business needs, with an expectation of being in the office during normal business hours and working a minimum of 45 hours per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Travel is required as necessary to support business functions in Mesa, Arizona, and North Ridgeville, Ohio.

Requirements

Certification in Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement.
Cost accounting competency.
Project management competency.
Identify opportunities to improve processes and support the development and adoption of process improvements.
Use company time effectively, seek productive work, and perform routine responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Think independently, anticipate problems, and recommend practical solutions.
Promptly advise management of policy violations and support company and management decisions.
Understand operating processes and the broader effects of process deviations.
Train employees effectively and assess training effectiveness.
Demonstrate strong organizational and prioritization skills.
Work effectively under pressure and de-escalate challenging situations appropriately.
Communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally in all formats.
Adjust the work schedule as needed to support business requirements.
Demonstrate strategic thinking, collaboration, decision-making, leadership, problem-solving, learning orientation, performance management, technical capacity, business acumen, personal effectiveness and credibility, diversity and inclusion, and presentation skills.
Frequently sit, stand, walk, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
Frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Meet the job's vision requirements, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Lead and facilitate continuous improvement using Kaizen, 5S, Kanban, Theory of Constraints, Gemba Walks, policy development, and related methods.
Champion integration of an MES software platform across Lehi Valley operations.
Provide lean manufacturing orientation and on-the-job training to production employees.
Partner with the finance team to establish metrics and systems for tracking costing, return on investment, and financial savings against defined goals.
Ensure daily performance huddles remain effective and add value.
Support the development, refinement, and documentation of departmental continuous improvement processes and promote organization-wide adoption of best practices.
Improve production workflow speed and efficiency while developing leaders who recommend processes that increase productivity without compromising quality.
Teach others to lead continuous improvement efforts.
Manage and supervise training coordinators, ensuring their processes educate employees and reinforce a continuous improvement culture from the first day of employment.
Identify ongoing lean improvement training needs and help develop and deliver required training.
Ensure current and new continuous improvement projects use appropriate food and employee safety processes and methods.
Identify opportunities to improve food and employee safety and help develop and implement solutions.
Complete special studies and projects assigned by company leadership to drive continuous improvement, cost reduction, and change.
Develop and maintain the annual continuous improvement plan, including value-stream mapping, improvement projects, and their financial impact.
Assess training effectiveness and report results.
Assist with assigning and coordinating work, and serve as a primary resource for the operations leadership team.
Travel as necessary to support business functions in Mesa, AZ, and North Ridgeville, OH.