Operational Excellence Lean Specialist

Creating Peace of Mind by Pioneering Safety and Security

At Allegion, we help keep the people you know and love safe and secure where they live, work and visit. With more than 40 brands, 14,000+ employees globally and products sold in 130 countries, we specialize in security around the doorway and beyond. 

Additionally, Allegion is proud to be recognized with the 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for the third consecutive year, earning distinction in both the employee engagement and strengths categories. This year, Allegion also received Gallup’s With Distinction honor — a designation reserved for a select group of organizations that go above and beyond in building exceptional workplace cultures.

Operational Excellence Lean Specialist - Blue Ash, Ohio

Under the direction of the Operational Excellence Manager, this position is responsible for supporting the Lean transformation and daily management initiatives by ensuring strategies are implemented and principles/practices/tools are incorporated in the culture and processes under transformation. This position implements and supports actions that bring about improvements which may include, but are not limited to safety, customer value proposition, quality, delivery, cycle, growth, margin expansion, and inventory.

Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. The company does not intend to provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, etc.) for this employment position.

What You Will Do:  

Support the Operational Excellence Manager and Value Stream in implementing lean transformation and daily management across the value stream including:

• Gathers data for key performance indicators for functions being reviewed, evaluates current state, and proposes future state goals and objectives.

• Implementing tactical strategies to achieve the desired vision

• Executing against long and short-term objectives to support the value stream’s goals

• Working with necessary site personnel to identify, address, and eliminate process related obstacles

• Assisting in the change of systems/processes as required in support of the Lean initiatives

• Utilize value stream mapping techniques to design optimal information, material, and production flow methods

To act as a change agent to bring about improvements in the manufacturing process through the active support, participation and leadership of rapid improvement events or projects, that includes:

• Owning pre and post standard work.

• Lead or facilitate continuous improvement projects and events.

• Participating in Gemba walks and coaching employees on continuous improvement, standard work. development/modification/adherence, flow, takt time attainment, and problem-solving abnormalities.

• Providing necessary training specific to Lean Transformation tools and methodology.

• Helping update and maintain visual performance tools, including mission control and MDI boards

• Following up on action plans

• Assisting all teams as needed to ensure improvements are made and sustained

Executing key activities as part of Lean Transformation and daily management including tasks such as:

• Support value stream analyses events.

• Conducting cycle time analyses, time studies, line balance improvements, workplace analysis improvement.

• Creating and implementing standard work and teaching/coaching line leaders to do the same.

• Implementing / coaching the use of cell control boards and other visual management tools

• Lead, coach and assist teams in problem solving activities.

• Resolving issues after continuous improvement events to achieve desired state.

To support the launch of all activities needed to incorporate Lean Transformation and daily management into the Value Stream culture; includes:

• Assisting in identifying on-going training needs

• Supporting communication of the direction of Lean Transformation and daily management initiatives to employees

• Utilize change management model.

• Ensure high levels of engagement for continuous improvement events participants.

• Drive change through coaching of employees and leaders to drive lean behaviors, principles and practices.

Track all changes/improvements made to provide assurance that changes are effective and lasting, includes:

• Examining and evaluating the areas after improvements are implemented

• Posting/updating results to the Mission Control boards

• Reviewing new procedures/controls and appraising the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, and working with the Operational Excellence Manager, Site Leader, Department Managers and Supervisors to resolve any issues that might arise during implementation and/or maintenance phases

• Monitor and report on key metrics

• Supports and meets Departmental, Plant and Corporate EH&S goals. Works in a safe and efficient manner.

• Other duties as identified by the Value Stream Coach to further the site’s Lean Manufacturing initiative

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in a related discipline, preferably an engineering or supply chain degree

• Minimum of 4 years of documented world class lean manufacturing/transactional/functional experience.

• Experience with distribution, warehousing and/or logistics facilities a plus.

• You would ideally have some level of understanding of WMS, TMS and ERP systems

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to speak and communicate effectively with various audiences at the site level.

• Strong interpersonal and high-performance team building skills, with ability to develop collaborative relationships, influencing up, down and across organizational lines.

• Ability to effectively facilitate a group’s activities and discussions using a defined process.

• Must be viewed credibly as either an informal leader or a positive influencer of change

• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced and changing work environment.

• Able to influence, persuade, convince and facilitate lean culture change in an environment with varying acceptance.

• Knowledge of personal computer applications required (Excel, Word, Visio, and PP). Excellent Team Facilitation Skills.

We Celebrate Who We Are! 

Allegion is committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.  Together, we embrace all differences and similarities among colleagues, as well as the differences and similarities within the relationships that we foster with customers, suppliers and the communities where we live and work. Whatever your background, experience, race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, we will make sure that you have every opportunity to impress us in your application and the opportunity to give your best at work, not because we’re required to, but because it’s the right thing to do.   We are also committed to providing accommodations for persons with disabilities. If for any reason you cannot apply through our career site and require an accommodation or assistance, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team.

© Allegion plc, 2023 | Block D, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland

REGISTERED IN IRELAND WITH LIMITED LIABILITY REGISTERED NUMBER 527370

Allegion is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer

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