Continuous Improvement Manager

Job Description

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving improvement of processes and systems across multiple sites. This position will provide leadership, planning, process development, and Lean implementation coaching. to meet strategic goals and objectives as defined by site leadership. Responsible for leading overall activities executed in coordination with other site based Continuous Improvement Coordinators to collectively improve operational excellence and achieve our overall goals as an organization. 

Organize

• Confers with management teams across multiple sites to align all continuous improvement goals and objectives.
• Identify areas with other functional leaders, employees, and customers to develop significant lean opportunities for improvement throughout the organization.
• Network with internal/external resources to bring best practices to lean projects and the organization.
• Develop, communicate and deliver training materials for Lean processes and principles, as well as other training materials as necessary.
• Provide education and mentoring to employees on Lean principles and techniques.
• Facilitates and leads the continuous improvement process by identifying training needs and providing training in problem solving methodology, Kaizen, A3 Problem Solving, Value Stream Mapping, etc.
• Ensure open communication throughout the site by keeping management informed of Project status and ensuring coordination of Lean activities.
• Manage the development and maintenance of methods and systems for measuring to ensure that Project goals, objectives and metrics are being met and maintained.

Plan

• Engage, educate and inspire the site leadership teams to identify and document meaningful short and long term goals. Utilize Lean-Six Sigma methodologies to inspire action in order to meet those targets and overall performance expectations. This includes working with key leadership both functionally and strategically to drive overall improvements in specific areas.
• Create metrics, deployment goals, and objectives to drive accountability throughout the organization.
• Lead the implementation of Lean programs from inception to completion.
• Manage the planning, facilitation and completion of Lean projects to support cost reduction objectives.
• Provides input and feedback to key leadership positions about process improvement opportunities.

Direct

• Lead efforts to develop and deliver training.
• Evaluates the performance or ability of employees to understand and apply lean principles.

Maintain

• Monitor activity level of continuous improvement teams and team champions; alert management of additional support needed to achieve desired results.
• Maintains current knowledge of lean performance principles and practices and keeps the organization informed.
• Organizes, plans and delivers updates on the status of projects managed.
• Models and leads operational excellence by example, visibly demonstrating leadership/change management behaviors.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's or master’s degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university in logistics, industrial or project engineering disciplines. A graduate degree in business or MBA would be beneficial. A minimum 5 years’ field experience with 2-3 years in a management or leadership role. Strong knowledge and expertise in leading cross functional, multi-site change management initiatives. Experience in organizing, planning a facilitating improvement activities such as Kaizen and Value Stream Mapping events. Ability to coach, mentor and train a team or individuals in a hybrid/remote work environment.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.            
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of the basic Microsoft Office stack. Elevated capabilities in Excel are preferred. 
• Enthusiastic about Continuous Improvement with the ability to inspire and motivate others. A positive and forceful character, able to get and develop the best out of people through motivation and coaching. Very resilient, able to facilitate and support opposing views to provide a win-win for all parties. Well organized and self-motivated, practical, numerate and literate (good communication all round). Capable of handling a diverse range of initiatives and work with a diverse workforce
• Lean experience required. Fully versed in TQM techniques
• Demonstrated ability to coach individually or in small groups/teams, manage projects (multiple projects) and apply conflict management skills
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Ability to achieve results through other people and departments, with good presentation and communication skills
• Strong multi-tasking capabilities, able to prioritize and manage different projects
• Problem solving skills and the ability to apply them in a team context
• Ability to objectively observe, reflect and conclude
• Black Belt or Green Belt training preferred
• At least 1 year experience of working with companies in High-Tech
• Minimum of 1 year of SAP experience
• Working knowledge of warehousing, transportation and customer clearance fundamentals
• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Ability to work Monday- Friday, 8am- 5pm
• Ability to travel as needed
• Ability to commute or relocate to 2500 Export Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40219

Additional Information

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Disability Pay. 
• 401(k) with company matching up to 6%. 
• Paid Time Off, including paid holidays. 
• Flexible Spending Accounts. 
• Voluntary benefits such as legal and financial assistance, pet insurance, and more. 
• Employee Assistance Program. 
• Ongoing employee development opportunities including tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and training. 
• Commuter benefits. 
• Employee engagement activities.

Disclosure requirements pertaining to the collection of your personal data:

Responsible for processing the information provided in your application is the company specified in the job advertisement, with its registered office as indicated. The company processes your data for the purpose of establishing an employment relationship on the basis of Art. 6 (1) b GDPR / Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG.

The retention period for your data is determined by the statutory time limits applicable in the respective country, beginning upon completion of the recruitment process. You can find these here.

You can contact the company’s Data Protection Officer at the above-mentioned postal address. 

Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here.

We strive to be an equitable and inclusive workplace for our employees and value their diverse perspectives, which contribute to the diversity of our company. Therefore, we welcome applications from people who enrich our company with their identity, background and personal experience. We want to keep the application process as simple as possible for you: focus on a meaningful resume; we do not require an elaborate cover letter. Please know that we can only accept your application through our online application portal.

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