Lean Manager I

Parker Hannifin•Richland, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lean Manager provides continuous improvement support through targeted improvement initiatives and ensures the Division follows the Parker Lean System (PLS). The role leads performance metric improvement, site turnarounds, and other large projects, and serves as the Division’s primary point of contact for Lean topics and initiatives. The position supports manufacturing sites and may include deployment at an international operating site. It reports directly to the Business Unit Manager and may have direct reports. The role leads development, documentation, and deployment of PLS fundamentals; supports strategy deployment and kaizen preparation; executes improvement events and projects; coaches employees in problem solving and data analysis; and helps ensure improvements are controlled and sustained. It works across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality, and supports High Performance Teams. The position is based in Richland, Michigan, or Wadsworth, Ohio. Travel is 75% for a Wadsworth-based employee or 25% for a Richland-based employee. The position is subject to meeting U.S. export compliance and/or U.S. Government contracting citizenship eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
At least eight years of experience with progressive levels of accountability and responsibility in Operations, Continuous Improvement, Lean, and/or related support functions in a manufacturing environment.
At least two years of manufacturing leadership experience.
Strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated leadership, project management, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to travel 75% if based in Wadsworth, Ohio, or 25% if based in Richland, Michigan.
Must meet applicable U.S. export compliance and/or U.S. Government contracting citizenship eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Engineering preferred.

Responsibilities

Apply expertise in Parker Lean System methodologies and tools at a site, across multiple sites, or across the Division as needed.
Lead development, documentation, and deployment of PLS fundamentals, including standard work, 5S/6S, visual management, and tiered daily management.
Partner with and coach site leadership on strategy deployment, including data gathering, prioritization, goal setting, portfolio tracking, and kaizen chartering and preparation.
Promote best practices across sites, the Division, or Group, and drive sustainment checks and countermeasure follow-up.
Provide expert Lean support for large kaizen events, including logistics coordination, baseline data selection, analysis, action-item tracking, and sustainment activities.
Select appropriate PLS tools and drive data collection for projects and events, using methods such as time observation, waste walks, spaghetti diagrams, SMED elements, and flow/pull pilots.
Drive continuous improvement projects across value streams or sites to timely completion; manage timelines and stakeholders and conduct basic benefits validation.
Drive continuous improvement activities throughout the Division.
Coach team members on selecting and applying problem-solving methods such as 5-Why, 10-step problem solving, and PDCA, with exposure to DMAIC, for increasingly complex issues.
Coach team members to gather and analyze continuous improvement data, identify waste, quantify improvements, and update continuous improvement dashboards or boards.
Assess data accuracy to support root-cause decisions and identify further improvement project opportunities.
Ensure control and sustainment plans, including standard-work updates and visual controls, are deployed and followed.
Participate in, support, and coach functional direction for High Performance Teams within the site.
Build productive working relationships with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to implement process improvements and procedures across value streams.
Guide project teams to ensure appropriate Lean processes and practices are implemented and provide direction on adherence to Lean principles in relevant discussions.
Liaise with vendors and customers on specific issues under guidance from managers or location leadership.
Provide clear status updates on activities, risks, and needs, and contribute to report-outs and project reviews.
Lead training and coaching on basic or advanced PLS topics for operators and team leaders as needed.