Continuous Improvement Lean Engineer

MIRACLE RECREATION E • Monett, MO

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Lean Engineer is a hands-on continuous improvement leader supporting manufacturing operations at PlayPower’s west plant (metal manufacturing) in Monett, Missouri. The role works with plant staff, functional leaders, and operators to improve on-time delivery, lead times, efficiency, and operating financial performance. It deploys Lean methodology across site operations, builds internal partnerships, develops action plans, and helps teams understand and improve their processes.

The position establishes current-state process maps and a Monett Action Plan; implements Lean System principles focused on takt, flow, pull, and level production; and teaches Lean concepts and tools to associates at all levels. It also develops Kaizen leaders, supports daily management and Gemba practices, identifies workflow impediments and waste, and tracks and reports quarterly Lean and continuous improvement metrics—including financial impact—to executive leadership. This is a high-visibility role.

The position is onsite Monday through Friday during normal business hours/day shift and is not eligible for remote work. The work may take place in a normal office environment or expose the employee to noise in or around production areas. The role requires constant sitting, hand use, talking, and hearing, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications; the posting does not provide a specific salary range. Performance- and merit-based bonuses may be offered at the company’s discretion and are not guaranteed unless specified in writing.

Requirements

• Three or more years of experience using Lean improvement concepts in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience creating Lean practices that empower employees, accelerate change, and enable personal and team development.
• High sense of urgency.
• Strong expectations and a focus on delivering results rather than activity.
• Low ego, high confidence, and humility.
• Highly autonomous and self-directed.
• Loyalty, honesty, and integrity.
• Team-oriented and comfortable with consensus-building in a mid-sized company environment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is highly preferred.
• SME/AME Lean Certification.
• Experience with Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Pull Systems and Kanban, Daily Management, 5S/Visual Management, SMED, TPM, and Kaizen.

Responsibilities

• Challenge current practices and methods by deploying Lean methodology throughout site operations.
• Establish internal business partnerships and support strategic planning, value stream mapping, gap analysis, Kaizen prioritization, results tracking, and root-cause and countermeasure analysis.
• Evaluate the business through current-state mapping and develop a Monett Action Plan.
• Implement Lean System principles, focusing on takt, flow, pull, and level production.
• Teach Lean concepts and tools, including daily management, disciplined problem-solving, standardized work, job instruction, material pull systems, value stream mapping, Lean scheduling, Kaizen, variation reduction, 5S, and Six Sigma-related initiatives.
• Administer training materials to help associates at all levels understand Lean Manufacturing improvement concepts and techniques.
• Train and develop Kaizen leaders across the business.
• Develop daily management plans and Gemba practices, establishing protocols and cadences for improved efficiency and supporting standard operating reviews.
• Facilitate diagnosis of workflow impediments and other sources of waste, and advise on appropriate tools to eliminate them.
• Support associate development in Lean tools, Lean production, and Kaizen leadership, and facilitate networking and best-practice sharing.
• Develop, track, and report quarterly metrics for Lean and continuous improvement activities, including financial impact, to executive leadership.

Benefits

• Paid time off.
• Health insurance.
• 401(k) for full-time positions.
• Possible performance- and merit-based bonus at the company’s discretion; not guaranteed unless outlined in writing in the offer letter.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level