Rapid Improvement Leader

Kimberly-Clark • Chester, PA

135d • $140,320 - $173,360

About The Position

You're not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we're out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you'll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you'll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. This individual will drive operational transformation across NA Manufacturing sites through execution of Rapid Improvement projects. They will utilize Six Sigma problem solving methods and LEAN tools to identify gaps, develop improvement plans, and execute solutions that deliver significant impact to MFG processes, organizational capability, and high-performance culture. They will provide overall ownership to execute Rapid Improvement projects, typically within a 3-5-month timeframe, ensuring rigorous and consistent application of standards. They will lead and coordinate a cross-functional team including plant operations, engineering, maintenance, Value Stream, logistics, quality, finance, digital and Enterprise Supply Chain to drive delivery of project goals. Additionally, they will be accountable to build capability within the plant teams to ensure sustainability of improved results. This role possesses the ability to influence others and drive collaboration across businesses and functions with minimum supervision. They will also be expected to drive effective stakeholder management across the organization through various forums and methods. Incumbent reports to the NA Manufacturing Senior Transformation Leader. Position will provide onsite support at NA manufacturing sites during execution of the Rapid Improvement projects with an expectation of ~75% onsite travel throughout the project to ensure on-time completion. They will lead a cross-functional onsite team to ensure project goals are delivered, including support from 1-2 Staff Transformation Leaders. They will typically be assigned to 2-3 Rapid Improvements per year.

Requirements

• Position requires knowledge and experience typically associated with a bachelor's degree or advanced degree in supply chain, engineering or related and 10+ years of related experience.
• Possess or working towards LSS Black Belt certification.
• Have a desire to progress into future leadership roles within the regional supply chain team.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a high-speed industrial manufacturing environment/plant experience is preferred.
• Must have direct or indirect manufacturing/operations, supply chain and/or finance experience, as well as knowledge of organizational structure.
• Significant experience in Engineering, Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Reliability and be very familiar with the application of Lean, CI, OPEX, LSS tools and theory.
• Strong stakeholder management skills are required to effectively articulate project status and influence leaders throughout the organization up to the VP level.
• Possesses strong understanding of the broader business/organization and can relate and connect the CI and Capabilities organization to it.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and lead multi-functional teams and foster a proactive team environment.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to motivate, empower, train, and coach a diverse group of team members.
• Willing to challenge the status quo and facilitate different perspectives to drive solutions.
• Experience with developing vision and strategy, demonstrated problem-solving mindset, strong project management skills, and proficiency with MS Suite are highly desired.
• Experience in multiple mills, product systems and staff experience, leadership of both exempt and non-exempt workforces are highly desired.
• Strong understanding of Adult Learning processes, Lean, CI and LSS thinking, systems and tools is highly desired.
• Experience in change management in large, complex organizations in addition to coaching and mentoring at all levels to drive collaboration across teams and functions is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of multiple Rapid Improvement projects within NA MFG sites that deliver exceptional value (>$2MM annual impact) and drive overall operational transformation including aspirational targets.
• Utilize Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques with extreme rigor and discipline to deliver project goals in a 3-5-month timeframe following Enterprise standards.
• Lead and coordinate a cross-functional team including plant operations, engineering, maintenance, Value Stream, logistics, quality, finance, digital and Enterprise Supply Chain to drive delivery of project goals.
• Utilize effective project management tools and skills to document progress, activity plans, resources and overall status.
• Lead stakeholder management meetings throughout the duration of the projects including steering team and executive team communications, with ability to effectively articulate and influence up to the VP level across Supply Chain functions.
• Build capability within members of the Plant and Value Stream teams to ensure sustainability of results after the project is completed.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to mill operations, including development of visual management tools, tiered scorecards, and Leader Standard Work.
• Collaborate with the digital capabilities team to identify and drive technology improvement solutions that enable operation efficiency and improved asset performance.
• Encourage and facilitate knowledge and best practice sharing across facilities/functions, including documentation of solutions within P2030.

Benefits

• Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions.
• Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.
• Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.
• Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.
• Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Paper Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree