Lean/Continuous Improvement Specialist

US Farathane•Sterling Heights, MI

About The Position

Lean/Continuous Improvement Specialist The Lean/Continuous Improvement Specialist will assess the current state of operational performance, identify gaps, establish a future state vision, drive and implement plans, monitor progress and share practice ideas and systems. Responsible for ensuring cost savings targets are met, lean workshops are facilitated and that year over year improvement scores are achieved. Assist General Manager in any strategic initiatives that will help in compliance to standards, implementing new systems, and designing creative solutions that will continuously improve the plant.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Some college preferred.
Two to five years related experience.
Minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience is required.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Previous automotive operations management experience preferred.
High energy and experience in inspiring and motivating cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Leads and facilitates all Continuous Improvement activities that have been identified for each plant department.
Identify gaps in performance metrics, and then work with all levels of the plant in establishing and executing a strategy for improving them.
Responsible for improving processes, eliminating wastes, and optimizing flow in all manufacturing processes.
Creates and performs plant training on Lean Manufacturing tools including but not limited to Kaizen, Problem Solving, 5S, Material Flow, SMED etc.
Publish monthly summary reports for each department’s progress and action items list with the intent to exceed expectations.
Establishes CI profit plan and subsequent forecast goals to drive team to achieve.
Identifies, documents, and maintains financial performance of lean initiatives, while establishing plan to close any gaps in budget and report out monthly.
Using standard tracking and reporting systems will prepare detailed plans, drive project performance and assure timely completion and achievement product/process quality and saving goals.
Creates project implementation timelines including resources and responsibility charts that drives manufacturing process improvements decreasing ‘total' manufacturing costs to achieve budgeted lean savings targets
Works closely with all cross-functional teams to align lean manufacturing strategies throughout the organization.
Coach and mentor other team members how to think and act differently as it relates to waste elimination.
Educate and align others toward the principles, practices, culture, and philosophies of continuous improvement.
Identify barriers to project success and solicits help from process owners as needed on all shifts and departments.
Assist in product flow to improve plant efficiency and reduce cost, yet improve safety and ergonomics.
Document improvement process “lessons learned” and communicate with sister plants within the organization in sharing “best practices” to drive results and capability development consistency.
Organizes and facilitates Kaizen project updates and review meetings.
Complete a minimum of four (4) Kaizen events per shift/ per year and report on the progress status of all open Kaizen projects.
Other duties as assigned.