Continuous improvement engineer

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.; Vadodara; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

HITACHI ENERGY INDIA LIMITED is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer to drive Lean, ITM, and Operational Excellence across the Savli plant. You will lead KPI reviews, daily management, and structured problem solving while advancing 5S, VSM, and S&OP processes.

The role requires hands-on experience with manufacturing performance, SAP/ERP planning, and Power BI-based tracking. Strong coaching and leadership skills are essential for developing CI culture across production and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering with relevant exposure to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Hands-on Lean manufacturing experience and ITM maturity assessments.
• Proficient in SAP/ERP planning and using BI tools for performance tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead ITM, KPI reviews and daily management improvements.
• Facilitate Gemba walks and structured problem solving (A3).
• Drive 5S, VSM, and S&OP maturation across the plant.
• Develop and deploy digital production systems and dashboards.
• Coach cross-functional teams to sustain CI culture.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and Hitachi Energy values.

Skills

Lean

ITM

5S

VSM

S&OP

Gemba

A3 problem solving

Leadership

Data interpretation

Digital reporting

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical/Industrial/Electrical

Tools

SAP

ERP-based planning

Power BI

Job description

Location: Savli, Gujarat, India Job ID: R0120645 Date Posted: 2026-02-27 Company Name: HITACHI ENERGY INDIA LIMITED Profession (Job Category): Quality Management Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No

Job Description

The Opportunity The Continuous Improvement Engineer will drive Lean, ITM, and Operational Excellence initiatives across the plant. The role requires hands-on experience in daily management, KPIs, problem solving, VSM, 5S, S&OP support, inventory & supply-in improvement, leadership standard work, and manufacturing performance enhancement.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead implementation and maturity progression of ITM Essentials across KPIs, Daily Management, Problem Solving, VSM, S&OP, 5S & Visual Management.
• Drive Tiered Accountability (Tier 1-3) ensuring SQDIC KPIs are reviewed, escalated, and improved systematically.
• Facilitate Gemba walks, root cause analysis, and structured problem solving (A3) for top operational issues.
• Support Strategy Deployment through X-Matrix, Bowling Charts, and Annual Improvement Planning.
• Implement 5S framework across assembly, fabrication, office, and shared service areas.
• Execute Value Stream Mapping for key product families and information flow; identify waste and drive actions.
• Improve S&OP maturity by supporting capacity visibility, constraint management, demand-supply alignment.
• Optimize Inventory & Supply-in processes - ABC/XYZ classification, stock accuracy, replenishment, supplier OTD & LT analysis.
• Develop and sustain Leadership Standard Work for functional leaders and supervisors.
• Coordinate CI governance, audits, follow-up mechanisms, and maturity assessments for ITM pillars.
• Drive manufacturing excellence with focus on Standard Work, Takt-Time, Line Balancing, Productivity, Leakages & Efficiency.
• Lead the implementation of Digital Production Systems, including digital work instructions, digital checklists, and mobile-enabled shopfloor reporting.
• Drive digitization of Quality processes, such as digital QMS, e-logbooks, real-time defect capture tools, and automated traceability dashboards.
• Champion Industry 4.0 pilots (machine data connectivity, IoT sensors, predictive maintenance dashboards, automated alerts).
• Develop and roll out Digital Skills Training for Production and Quality teams, including: Use of digital work instructions & e-forms; Power BI basics for supervisors and line leaders; Training on digital QMS & electronic checklists; Conduct structured capability-building programs on: Lean Basics for Production Teams; Quality Tools (8D, RCA, QC Tools) Digital daily management boards and digital SQDIC review cadence.
• Coach frontline leaders on adopting digital workflows, digital Gemba, and mobile-first reporting.
• Establish a structured Skill Certification Ladder for Production & Quality personnel (Basic - Advanced - Expert).
• Responsible to ensure compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines.
• Living Hitachi Energy’s core values of safety and integrity, which means taking responsibility for your own actions while caring for your colleagues and the business.

Your background

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in Continuous Improvement / Lean / Industrial Engineering roles.
• Hands-on experience with Lean manufacturing projects and ITM maturity assessments.
• Experience in SAP, ERP-based planning, and performance tracking tools (Power BI preferred).
• Lean six sigma Green belt preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Lean tools: 5S, Kaizen, SMED, VSM, Problem Solving (A3), Gemba, Daily Management.
• Experience in KPI deployment and performance management aligned with SQDIC framework.
• Familiarity with Strategy Deployment, X-Matrix, and Hoshin Kanri methods.
• Ability to interpret manufacturing data: Standard Time, Efficiency, Line Balancing, Routing.
• Understanding of S&OP, capacity planning, demand forecasting, inventory management principles.
• Ability to coach cross‑functional teams, conduct workshops, and build CI culture.
• Excellent analytical, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in both spoken & written English language is required.

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