Manager, Continuous Improvement

Cornerstone Building Brands • North Brunswick Township, NJ

122d

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Manager will lead bold change through the Lean Manufacturing initiatives at the site to ensure continuous, systemic, and sustainable elimination of waste through developing a fully engaged culture of continuous improvement (zero waste mindset), execution of Kaizen Events linked to the site Vision and annual Strategy Deployment and building of foundational capability for long term sustainment. Create a vision that directs change efforts at the site and develops strategies / action plans to achieve the vision. Eliminate barriers to change and modify systems / processes as required in support of Lean and Consumption Driven Supply principles (on demand, defect free, one by one, at lowest cost).

Requirements

• BA / BS (4-year technical or business) degree preferable
• 4 - 6 years of Manufacturing Operations experience
• Greenbelt Certification required, Black Belt Preferred
• Previous Lean experience a positive for internal candidates and required for external candidates, High school graduate with some college.
• Extensive experience leading and facilitating formal Kaizen events
• Able to build successful teams and guide others in accomplishing work objectives
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Seeks and uses ‘customer' feedback to improve effectiveness of Lean group and deployment
• Encourages open discussion and dialogue within and between Functions
• Well-developed decision-making skills
• Excellent computer and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Lead and Manage by Influence
• Individual and Team Coaching
• Extremely Process Focused
• Excellent self-motivation and attitude toward their work
• High degree of maturity and professionalism

Responsibilities

• Lead Site Guiding Coalition
• Be the change agent - drive and accelerate change in culture, attitude, and capability
• Annual planning of Kaizen Event activities to support Site Strategy Deployment based on Value Stream Mapping and Waste Analysis
• Quarterly priority setting of Kaizen Events to deliver step change in results (60 - 90-day outlook) at the target pace for the site
• Approval of Kaizen events & close-out and sustainment plans
• Ensure Lean tool capability is developed across the site
• Drive employee engagement by ensuring a high percentage of new members on Kaizen Events
• Approval of standards, systems, and processes to support sustainable execution
• Approval of site standards as related to Lean methodologies and implementation
• Develop, modify, and improve standard processes to continuously improve efficiency of Coalition related to the above responsibilities
• Instill a standard, disciplined, rigorous, process focused approach to problem solving across the organization
• Actively participate in the CI Steering Committee to share, develop, and deploy Business Unit standards for Lean tools, principles, and methodologies as well as standard business processes
• Daily/Active Waste Elimination Coaching
• Participate in Accountability Meetings daily with Operations Manager or Production Managers to highlight opportunities for continuous improvement in Lean principles / tools and adherence to production system standards
• Participate in weekly (or periodic based on site) Production Department meetings to support development of corrective actions and coach problem solving methodology
• Participate in periodic Functional Department meetings to identify gaps / issues which need resolution, assist in the prioritization of work processes, and support in the development of corrective actions
• Outside of the Production Departments or Functional Department meetings (monthly minimum), coach structure and linkage of the Business Boards to ensure proper cascade of measures, targets, and actions from Leadership to shopfloor
• Identify and lead training in accordance with the needs defined by the Guiding Coalition, Site Strategy Deployment, and personal observation (daily coaching and walk throughs). Ensure proper understanding of these tools / techniques and ownership of deployment.
• Drive the site to model a Learn by Doing approach
• Organize / facilitate Kaizen Event-based and specific tool training for all monthly Kaizen Event teams
• Coordinate Preparation, Execution, and Follow-Up stages of the Kaizen Event process through weekly interaction with Leaders / Co-Leaders to ensure team is on pace with the guidelines / expectations of Kaizen Methodology.
• For Kaizen Teams that go beyond the desired 30-day close-out window, work with Team Leaders / Co-Leaders and Business Owner to close all open follow-up items and execute countermeasures to close gaps against desired deliverables / results
• Develop personal mastery in the Lean principles and tools to allow broad facilitation (Kaizen events, lean workshops, and daily coaching) in Production Departments and Functions.
• Coordinate Kaizen event Training process to ensure the site has broad base capability in all primary Lean tools to be self-sufficient for monthly and on-demand training requirements
• Lead training sessions and Kaizen Events within the site or within other CBB facilities as required.
• Develop and facilitate Lean Manufacturing Annual Plans within the site to ensure best practices are shared and reapplied efficiently to accelerate results
• Actively participate in the CBB CI Steering Committee meetings - share successful improvements with the network for potential reapplication to accelerate Company results and be open to learning from other site to reapply successful, sustained improvements
• Actively participate in Benchmarking visits and audits as required at CBB sites.
• Provide support to the CI Steering Committee in their implementation of actions, sharing his knowledge and practical experience in handling lean tools as required
• Ensure process confirmation through a relevant Go-Look-See process, to understand, support / coach, and challenge associates toward the achievement of expected business results
• In conjunction with the Plant Manager, lead the Site Leadership Team in the development of the Site Cost Take Out Roadmap linked to the Company Strategies and Objectives
• In conjunction with the Plant Manager, lead / coordinate the Site Leadership Team in development of annual plan Strategy Action Plans to achieve the Company goals
• Coordinate the monthly Strategy Deployment process including normal updates, gap analysis, and countermeasure development
• Conduct periodic reviews and audits of the Site, Production Department, and Functional Department WIT Boards to ensure ongoing alignment to the annual objectives, linked KPIs, site initiatives, and site standards
• Manage the preparation of daily reports.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision benefits starting day 1
• PTO
• paid holidays
• FSA
• life insurance
• LTD
• STD
• 401k
• EAP
• discount programs
• tuition reimbursement
• training
• professional development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree