Vice President of Continuous Improvement

Wellman Dynamics Division•Creston, IA

About The Position

Responsible for leading operational excellence, process optimization, and change management. Will be responsible to align strategies with corporate goals to eliminate waste, increase efficiency, and build a culture of continuous problem solving across manufacturing areas. The position works to prepare and conduct process improvement events and projects. Will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Projects, and Plant Manager and act as a key driver of business process improvement and waste elimination, driving to improve quality, manufacturing and sustain change.

Requirements

Bachelor degree in Manufacturing Engineering or Business Operations Management
3+ years’ experience in coaching and leading cross-functional teams, including team building, understanding motivation and experience applying Lean Principals in a Foundry environment

Nice To Haves

Mapping out current processes using one or more process mapping tools.
Quantifying current process performance through measuring and/or developing KPIs, and then using the information to target improvement initiatives.
Supporting a culture that balances respect for the team with the implementation of new tools and processes.
Developing programs to lead high impact improvement projects (Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile, Value Stream Map, DMAIC, and FMEA) in alignment with strategic goals.
Championing Visual Management in many places where information is communicated by using visual signals instead of texts or other written instructions.
Building and maintaining the foundation for continuous improvement by ensuring the effective functioning of transformation activities aligned to our Lean Operating System.
Teaching Lean tools to all levels of the organization (Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, TPM, Set-up reduction, Standard Work, Visual Management, etc.).
Serving as the plant's internal 5S expert.
Working with the operating leaders to develop a plant-wide continuous improvement strategy.
Developing and preparing materials for use when conducting the events, coordinating with department management and participants, providing instruction on the use of process improvement tools, facilitating team decisions, managing team work, resolving team conflict, assisting in the development of implementation action plans, and conducting follow-up.

Responsibilities

Facilitating Lean and Six Sigma events, pre-planning and execution.
Summarizing close-out actions to ensure timely completion.
Working with the team to develop a lean culture that fosters employee development and training in support of continuous improvement and results.
Developing operational excellence program and metrics in support of the operations vision.
Collecting, reviewing and analyzing data to provide recommendations to the leadership team.
Sharing best practices throughout the organization from internal and external sources, aligning with project goals.
Utilizing tools and techniques (Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping) to extract, quantity, interpret, analyze, and summarize work.
Producing standardized work documentation, visual work instruction, templates and training material.
Driving cultural transformation through coaching and mentoring managers and first line supervisors and building problem solving capabilities through one-on-one interaction and materials for sustained implementation of best practices.
Serving as a focal point for LEAN initiatives.
Working with the team to quantify potential cost savings for report outs to senior management.
Assisting with the design and layout of equipment, workspace, and optimal material flow routes for maximum efficiency.
Evolving customer complaints and Value Stream constraints into events, initiatives or projects.
Promoting Continuous Improvement achievement and performance improvement throughout the organization.
Translating operational performance metrics into measurable cost reductions, bottom line growth, and higher customer satisfaction.
Performing monthly, quarterly, and annual audits, and associated reporting.
Developing and deploying long-term continuous improvement roadmaps, championing methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile.
Streamlining workflows, reducing operational bottlenecks, and improving throughput across supply chain, finance, IT, and frontline operations.