Area Continuous Improvement Manager

AREA CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER


WE ARE RECRUITING CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION FOR ONE OF OUR MAJOR CLIENTS (a major high volume manufacturer / logistics provider).


In order to further accelerate its lean transformation and performance improvement, our client is in the process of topgrading / adding several highly-capable, experienced continuous improvement individuals to its team to fill a number of highly visible multi-site and single-site Continuous Improvement Manager roles that will assist business unit teams with the lean tools, strategies, systems and metrics needed to drive improvements in operating performance. Our client is also targeting these positions as “talent feeders” to Single Site and Multi-Site operational leadership roles over time.

THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITY
Provide functional leadership for the company’s OperationalExcellence agenda at assigned site(s)
“Area” Continuous Improvement Managers have multi-site responsibility
“Unit” Continuous Improvement Managers have single site responsibility
Plan and guide unit management in productivity, material waste, safety and quality improvement initiatives
Analyze material and information flows
Perform diagnostics on major cost drivers (material, labor and OOC)
Identify improvement opportunities in productivity, material
consumption, other operation expenses, quality, safety and space utilization
Outline/establish quantifiable improvement targets
Plan, propose and execute value stream mapping and team-based continuous improvement events to execute process improvements
Support line management and associates in overall change
process
Train and build capability in all levels of organization regarding lean manufacturing
Knowledge leadership to rest of management team
Participate in Continuous Improvement events at other client sites/areas for purposes of cross-fertilization and best
practice sharing
Propose and stay current with best practice and bench mark initiatives
Actively participate in unit’s performance management system
and dialogue
On occasion, present progress and plans to company executives
Reinforce the company’s culture of continuous improvement that promotes (informally and formally) communication, shared learning, intelligent risk-taking, creative problem
solving, and an accountability for failures and successes
REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENTSChosen candidates will bring proven hands-on /continuous improvement experience including but not limited to:


Value Stream Mapping
Standard Work
Pull Systems/Kanban
SMED / Quick Change-over
Kaizen Management
Problem Solving; Six Sigma Variation Reduction


Additional traits / experience desired include:


Hands – on; roll-up your shirt sleeves; naturally involved
in execution, not just planning
A passion for continuous improvement
Credibility to lead change
Previous direct line management experience / responsibility
Able to set and agenda, stay on course, and develop
solutions with a high degree of independence
Analytical mind, drive, enthusiasm and creativity
The vision to apply productivity principles beyond manufacturing to the sales/marketing, and administrative
infrastructure
High standard of personal and professional integrity
The leadership competencies required to assume a Site or
Area Manager’s role
Area Managers - flexibility to travel 50-60% (major cities)
College/University degree (business economics/science,engineering)
Possibly 6-Sigma certified