Front-Line Lean Leader

About Us

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.

What you will do

The Front-Line Lean Leader is responsible for leading daily operations while embedding and sustaining Lean principles to drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development. This role goes beyond traditional supervision by acting as a coach, problem solver, and culture builder, ensuring Lean thinking becomes the standard way of working. 

The ideal candidate develops frontline team members, strengthens problem-solving capability, and continuously improves processes through structured Lean methodologies. 

How you will do it

1. Daily Operations & Performance Management

• Lead and manage daily production to meet SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) targets. 

• Conduct and sustain tiered daily management (TDM) / huddles.

• Monitor visual management boards and drive accountability to KPIs. 

• Escalate issues appropriately and ensure timely resolution. 

2. Lean Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Own and sustain Lean systems such as:  

• Standard Work 

• 5S and workplace organization 

• Visual management 

• Kanban / pull systems 

• Lead and facilitate:  

• Kaizen events 

• Daily continuous improvement (DCI) 

• Waste identification and elimination (8 wastes) 

• Ensure improvements are standardized, sustained, and audited

3. Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Coach team members in structured problem solving:  

• A3 thinking 

• PDCA cycles 

• 5 Whys and fishbone analysis 

• Personally lead resolution of complex or recurring problems 

• Build team capability to move from reactive firefighting to proactive prevention

4. People Development & Engagement

• Develop team members through:  

• Skills training and cross-training 

• Coaching on Lean behaviors and mindset 

• Conduct daily Gemba walks with a focus on:  

• Listening 

• Teaching 

• Removing barriers 

• Foster a culture of:  

• Respect for people 

• Accountability 

• Continuous learning 

5. Standard Work & Process Discipline

• Ensure all processes are defined, documented, and followed 

• Maintain and improve Leader Standard Work 

• Audit adherence to standards and drive gap closure 

• Promote stability before optimization 

6. Safety & Quality Ownership

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture

• Lead safety observations and corrective actions 

• Ensure quality at the source:  

• Stop and fix problems 

• Support mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) 

• Reinforce “do not pass defects forward” mindset 

7. Collaboration & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Work closely with:  

• Engineering 

• Maintenance 

• Supply Chain 

• Quality 

• Support implementation of new processes and improvements. 

• Drive alignment between frontline execution and strategic objectives. 

What we look for

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred or 3–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering. 

• Experience in a Lean environment (maturing or advanced preferred). 

• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Demonstrated expertise in Lean tools: VSM, Kaizen facilitation, SMED, 5S, standard work, takt time, flow, pull systems. 

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with experience using A3 or similar methodologies. 

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills. 

Leadership Competencies

• Coaching mindset (teaches rather than directs). 

• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to hold people accountable while maintaining trust. 

• Strong facilitation and communication skills. 

Behavioral Traits

• Bias for action with structured thinking. 

• Curious and continuously learning. 

• Resilient and adaptable in a changing environment. 

• Leads by example (“walks the talk”). 

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.