Director Continuous Improvement

Position Purpose

Acting on own initiative, the Director Continuous Improvement will proactively guide key stakeholders in identifying business opportunities where Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies will deliver increased efficiency and cost reduction throughout the organization. This continuous improvement and collaborative leader is responsible for facilitating and managing projects which identify, analyze, and solve business challenges, enhance processes, improve systems, eliminate waste, increase efficiency, and identify cost savings across the organization. They will foster a culture of continuous improvement and coach/train within all levels of the organization. This includes the development of lean practitioners who will assist in building upon our continuous improvement culture.

Functional Responsibility

• Oversees, directs, and manages departmental activities and team performance
• Drives and models company culture and holds self, peers, and direct reports accountable for demonstrating a constructive company culture through influential, personal behavior and actions
• Develops and implements clearly defined operational and individual goals to develop employees, achieve productivity levels, and attain the company's strategic plan
• Researches best practices, stays abreast of industry trends, and maintains awareness of regulatory changes to ensure compliance and continually improve operations
• Executes departmental financial objectives by preparing budgets, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective action
• Achieves departmental results to ensure the effective delivery of the strategic plan
• Develops staffing needs; attracts, motivates, and retains a workforce with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve goals and objectives
• Promotes and ensures a safe and healthy work environment for all employees
• Leads the way and prepares departmental staff for success in a continually changing environment
• Fosters a work environment that encourages creative thinking, promotes flexibility, and drives innovation
• Addresses employee issues, concerns, and complaints in an objective and confidential manner; notifies HR Business Partner and keeps immediate manager informed as appropriate
• Ensures compliance and consistent application of company policies, initiatives, and decisions
• Coaches, guides, and develops direct reports; fully engages in the GPS (Performance Management) process; provides high-quality feedback, and ensures proper GPS documentation of employee performance, recognition, and deficiencies

Essential Duties

• Develops, implements, and leads cross functional lean projects to identify, analyze, and solve business challenges, reduce complexity, improve systems, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and achieve cost savings
• Using proven lean methodologies, leads teams to develop countermeasures and solutions which drive sustainable, measurable results
• Utilizes Six Sigma statistical analysis to help teams reduce variation and defects in their process
• Puts special emphasis and focus on incorporating AI technology and data analytics capability into improvement ideas and projects
• Facilitates team project reviews to track progress, provide appropriate steering, and escalation of issues. Organizes and guides final report out events to senior leadership and executives, as appropriate
• Collaborates and builds relationships with key stakeholders to gain support and priority for lean projects and address resource constraints. Builds lean project plans which support business needs while advancing continuous improvement momentum
• With senior leadership team guidance, develops a lean vision and continuous improvement roadmap to address business challenges and opportunities
• Supports teams to identify, collect, analyze, and present data so that actionable issues can be mapped and problems solved
• Develops lean project communications and change management plans to ensure collaboration. Leads a constructive environment for all parties involved during implementation of lean countermeasures which may include new assets, systems, processes, tools, and work processes.
• Leads the development and provides guidance, mentoring and training on lean continuous improvement methodologies to grow lean practitioners throughout the organization. Applies the concept learn, do, and teach to project execution
• Refines project approach by soliciting input from stakeholders and participants on needs and improvements 
• Provides lean continuous improvement project metrics and dashboard to ensure delivery of the desired benefit of the function. Ensures the creation of comprehensive project documentation and process standard work by the team to complete each project
• Assists people leaders in translating annual goals into lean projects and training opportunities

*Other duties may be assigned

Non-Essential Duties

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Business, or Supply Chain
• 10+ years in manufacturing, business or supply chain, or related field with a proven track record of business results
• 3-5 years of focused Lean, Six Sigma, Formal continuous improvement, and change management projects, Toyota Production system, preferred

Certificates and Licenses

• Formal training certificates e.g., Univ. Michigan, Ariz. State, etc.
• AME, Lean Enterprise Institute, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent vebal and written communication skills inclusive of change management methodology
• Must have ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Must have a proven collaborative approach and a team player
• Must have excellent interpersonal, time management, decision making and conflict management skills
• Passion for driving business improvement and leading changes in a complex environment
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills
• Detailed knowledge of quality theory/6 sigma, TPS Lean methodology and tools
• Advanced technology application skills in Microsoft project including project management

Working Conditions

• General office
• Occasional travel
• Required to drive automotive vehicle or equipment occasionally
• Extended hours

Work Standards

• Acts in a manner reflective of the Company culture of High Moral Standards, Innovation and Continuous Evolution, Trust in Team, Continuous Improvement, and Sustainable Relationships
• Communicates, interacts, and works effectively with others; receptive to feedback and coaching; voices concerns in a constructive manner
• Demonstrates commitment to safety first; communicates safety concerns; promotes a safe work environment based on established safety standards and training
• Follows all Company policies and procedures

Additional Comments

Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.