Plant Lean Manager

Parker Hannifin • Manitowoc, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lean Practitioner II is a continuous improvement practitioner responsible for driving large site Lean transformation, coaching leadership and teams, and delivering measurable performance improvements across operations, supply chain, and customer-facing processes. This role leads complex, cross-functional initiatives using Lean principles and the Parker Lean System (PLS) (e.g., value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, visual management, problem-solving) to reduce waste, improve flow, and enhance quality, safety, and delivery. A trusted advisor to site leadership and mentors Lean Practitioner I and helps embed a culture of daily improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business or engineering is required
• 2+ years of progressive lean experience
• Demonstrated expertise in PLS and Lean enterprise methods across multiple value streams
• Proven kaizen leader and capable teacher
• Strong problem-solving capability with diversified scope
• Skilled in A3, root cause analysis, and practical implementation of preferred practices and tools
• Experience with daily management, leader standard work, VSM, standard work, SMED, TPM, 5S/6S, kanban/pull, visual management, and error proofing
• Ability to design and manage CI portfolios linked to strategy deployment and SQDCI performance
• Proficient in establishing and tracking KPIs
• Effective communicator and influencer across shop-floor, managerial, and leadership levels
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Proficiency with basic data analysis and presentation tools
• Familiarity with ERP/MES data sources supporting CI preferred
• Leads larger-scope projects and project teams
• May act as HPT lead and mentor to less experienced staff
• Occasional interaction with suppliers and customers on CI-related initiatives
• Limited travel may be required
• Intermittent travel is needed for the role with about 10-15% travel but can vary by location.

Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to Parker Lean System (PLS) methodologies and principles of PLS tools within the site.
• Drive development, documentation, and deployment of PLS fundamentals (e.g., standard work, 5S/6S, visual management, tiered daily management) to meet the varied value streams at the site.
• Partner with and coach site leadership to drive strategy deployment activities: data gathering, deciding on prioritization inputs, determine the goals that will align with strategy, and portfolio tracking; support kaizen chartering and preparation.
• Help standardize and scale best practices across site or multiple sites; contribute to sustainment checks and countermeasure follow-up.
• Prepare and provide advanced Lean expertise support in kaizen events; coordinate logistics, decide on appropriate baseline data to drive strong analysis, track action items, and ensure sustainment activities.
• Assess actions and use advanced judgment to determine the correct PLS tools for the project/events and to drive data collection (e.g., time observation, waste walks, spaghetti diagrams, SMED elements, flow/pull pilots) in a manner that supports and allows improvement for the value steam and/or site.
• Lead value stream, site or multisite continuous improvement projects within one or more value streams; manage timelines, stakeholders, and basic benefits validation.
• Coach team members how to determine and apply appropriate problem-solving tools and methods (5-Why, 10 step problem solving, PDCA; exposure to DMAIC), as needed, to issues of increasing complexity that span multiple PLS elements.
• Coach team member to gather and analyze continuous improvement data (e.g., cycle time, changeover, WIP, FPY) to identify waste, quantify improvements, and update Continuous Improvement boards.
• Oversee and assess data gathered for accuracy to drive root cause decisions around improvement projects or additional projects focuses for continued site or multisite improvement.
• Ensure control and sustainment plans, including standard work updates and visual controls are deployed and following in the value stream or site.
• Participate in, support and coach functional direction to High Performance Teams within the site.
• Using insights and judgments to build productive working relationships with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to implement process improvements and procedures across one or more value streams.
• Provide direct guidance and leadership on project teams to ensure correct lean processes/practices are being implemented; provide direction/ensure adherence to lean principles in occasional direction settings and prioritization 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; contribute to report-outs and project reviews.
• Lead training and coaching on PLS basics for operators and team leaders as directed.

Benefits

• Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
• Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees.
• Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
• U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.
• Drug-Free Workplace
• Drug testing as a condition of employment.

What This Job Offers

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