IWS (BME) Manager

Bridgestone Americas•Oxford, AL

About The Position

The IWS (BME) Manager leads the Integrated Work Systems and Bridgestone Manufacturing Excellence journey at the Oxford manufacturing facility. The role partners with site leadership to shape and execute the BME Master Plan, support progress through implementation phases, translate business priorities into improvement initiatives, and connect IWS activity with loss elimination and required business results. The manager strengthens operational excellence by identifying and eliminating losses, improving problem-solving and daily management systems, and promoting standardized, sustainable practices and best-practice sharing. The role develops plant leadership teams, pillar leaders, and broader site capabilities through coaching, feedback, communication, and support for effective pillar deployment. It also anticipates capability needs over the next 6–18 months, supports phase assessments, and helps maintain continuous progress toward long-term operational stability. The position requires substantial manufacturing operations experience, including line assignments and hands-on production exposure, knowledge of IWS and manufacturing excellence methods, and the ability to influence, teach, coach, and develop leaders and employees. The successful candidate must have the operational experience and skills appropriate to the facility’s current phase and be willing to remain in the role for at least three years.

Requirements

Good understanding of the intent and operation of each pillar, or in-depth skills in two pillars.
At least level 3 qualification in problem-solving tools, including IPS, UPS, PDCA, OPM, Standardized Work, and VSM, as well as Leadership Envisioning and DDS, including RTT DMS’s.
Consulting skills, including relationship development, diagnosis, feedback, and enrolling leadership teams in taking action.
Ability to influence plant managers, plant leadership teams, and Directors as required.
Ability to teach, coach, and develop others, with on-the-floor credibility among people doing the work.
Ability to define and deliver the IWS Master Plan.
Willingness to stay in the role for a minimum of three years.
Ability to speak English as a primary or secondary language.
Minimum operations experience and skills at least equivalent to the phase at which the plant or facility is currently working.
Experience in various manufacturing line assignments.

Nice To Haves

Experience with IWS pillar deployment, phase assessments, leadership envisioning, and master planning.

Responsibilities

Orchestrate the site’s IWS journey to enable progression through implementation phases.
Ensure IWS activities are connected to loss elimination and deliver required CBN results.
Coach teams to find solutions, eliminate barriers, and build capability.
Anticipate capabilities needed over the next 6–18 months and work with the Site Leader to keep the Master Plan on track, intervening with appropriate people as needed.
Provide publicity, promotion, education, and communication to increase IWS understanding and accelerate progress across the site and organization.
Assess implementation of integrated activities and calibrate standards with the leadership team.
Participate in phase assessments and provide a calibrated, objective viewpoint.
Work with the IC to ensure the site receives effective guidance and coaching, and lead on best-in-class systems and tools for reapplication.
Develop capability in leadership teams.
Diagnose activities and identify technical know-how or organizational behaviors that impede implementation.
Provide feedback that prompts leadership teams to take action.
Invest time in self-development.
Work with Pillar Teams to ensure standard application of pillar capabilities.
Support the Site Leader in selecting appropriate pillar leaders.
Ensure continuity of staffing across the pillar network.