Manufacturing Excellence Leader

IPEX • Lynchburg, VA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Harco Fittings is seeking a Manufacturing Excellence Leader for its Lynchburg, Virginia facility. The role reports to the Plant Manager and supports operational excellence initiatives across plants by driving divisional and plant KPIs and leading projects to improve staff, systems, equipment, machinery, and site operations. The leader provides guidance on implementing and sustaining corporate lean initiatives and 5S goals.

The position leads manufacturing excellence goals and execution across North America, supporting performance, financial, and staff-development objectives. It works with plant departments and leadership to develop performance management systems, improve operational processes, facilitate employee participation in continuous improvement, and share best practices across divisions. The role also supports day-to-day operations through problem solving and root-cause analysis, while promoting safety, quality, and compliance with organizational standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or another related technical field.
• At least 3 years of experience leading operational transformation projects, focused on continuous improvement, with demonstrated process-improvement success.
• Computer skills, including all Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Certificate.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Knowledge and experience in manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead 5S implementation according to IPEX standards by designing systems, planning implementation, and working with departments to achieve the plan.
• Develop KPIs and systems for communicating manufacturing performance across all levels of the plant.
• Collaborate with department managers to develop information sharing and reporting for shift handovers.
• Develop and lead daily management reviews and facilitate weekly and monthly management reviews.
• Develop and implement a Layered Process Audit system.
• Facilitate focused improvement programs, lead and administer cost-saving reporting, and communicate the impact of improvements.
• Lead a Kaizen system that encourages employees to raise improvement ideas and ensures selected ideas are implemented.
• Serve as the plant’s lean champion and lead training in lean and continuous improvement techniques.
• Ensure the plant meets global branding standards.
• Lead the plant’s new product introduction process, coordinating internal and external functions and tracking actions for product launches.
• Share and implement divisional best practices in collaboration with manufacturing centers of excellence.
• Support day-to-day plant operations through problem solving, root-cause analysis, and solutions to operational issues.
• Contribute to and support division-wide projects and initiatives through liaison with key stakeholders.
• Help improve the plant’s appearance and work environment for colleagues.
• Ensure adherence to group organizational standards for health and safety, quality, ISO 14001, corporate policy, customer excellence, and business values during project delivery.
• Execute manufacturing excellence goals and initiatives across North America to achieve performance, financial, and staff-development objectives.
• Facilitate, assist, and develop shop-floor excellence operations and remove barriers to employees meeting measurable objectives.
• Conduct and participate in Gemba walks and coach employees on 5S, standard work, visual management, M.D.I., continuous improvement, flow, problem solving, and other lean methods and processes.
• Help foster a culture of change leadership by addressing individual mindsets.
• Lead training and development of plant employees in lean tools.
• Track and report program progress and communicate with plant leadership.
• Promote a Safety-First culture and support deployment of Aliaxis divisional and global safety standards.
• Support implementation of the divisional health, safety, and environment strategy, ensure site accountability, and report progress, events, and initiatives to plant management and divisional leadership.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives with a quality assurance mindset.

What This Job Offers

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