Site Continuous Improvement Leader

About Us

JOB DESCRIPTION

GKN Automotive is the market leader in conventional, all-wheel and electrified drive systems and solutions. With a comprehensive global footprint, we design, develop, manufacture and integrate an extensive range of driveline technologies for over 90% of the world’s car manufacturers.

Role purpose

This role is a Lean Thinker with a very high level of expertise in Lean Transformation which will play a pivotal role in developing the site into a Lean enterprise based upon GKN Automotive’s Lean approach. They will lead, coach, engage and influence their site’s employees and Leadership Team, ensuring rigor and fidelity to the Lean roadmap of GKN Automotive. The role will develop functional systems and solutions with a focus on scalability, automation, reliability, security and quality. Perform root cause analysis of production errors, resolve issues, design procedures for system troubleshooting and maintenance, and build tools to reduce error occurrence.

Key Responsibilities

• Personal Capability Building Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Manufacturing Methods/Processes Development Identify shortcomings in existing manufacturing processes, systems, and procedures; deliver straightforward improvements to manufacturing processes and methods with guidance from a more senior colleague.
• Continuous Improvement Review existing operations in a major area of work and implement innovation processes to generate new ideas and ensure the required continuous improvement outcomes are delivered.
• Procedural Improvement Improve and develop procedures by giving feedback on what works and what doesn't, suggesting and implementing improvements to procedures and processes.
• Improvement/Innovation Identify shortcomings and suggest improvements to existing processes, systems, and procedures, then deliver a plan for a small element of a change management program with guidance from a project/program manager.
• Project Management Deliver small- or medium-scale projects while working within an established program management plan.
• Project Reporting and Review Draft project review reports and presentations, including key information, commentary, and recommendations, to support the review process and enable stakeholders to evaluate progress and agree on change.
• Network of Influence Demonstrate understanding of the value of networking by participating in and contributing to a network of people, technologies, and ideas both inside and outside the company.
  
  

Values & Behaviours

• Ingenious: Innovative thinking Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. For example, approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.
• Ingenious: Effective decision making Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, knows when to act independently and when to escalate issues. Integrates various inputs, decision criteria, and trade-offs to make effective decisions. Typically makes good independent decisions.
• Ingenious: Manages complexity Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, quickly determines the most critical data and focuses analysis there; recognizes even subtle symptoms that indicate problems; probes deeply for root causes; uses systematic problem-solving methods. well.
• Ingenious: Driving continuous improvement Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, uses metrics and benchmarks to monitor accuracy and quality. Takes steps to make methods productive and efficient. Promptly and effectively addresses process breakdowns.
• Collaborative: Builds relationships Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.
• Principled: Accountability Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.
• Principled: Manages challenging conversations Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. For example, shares own ideas and points of view openly, regardless of potential criticism or risk; shows conviction when faced with adversity and challenges; raises difficult topics to be sure they are addressed.
• Driven: Customer focus Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions. For example, keeps in contact with customers to ensure problems are resolved, or to improve customer service. Studies customer feedback and emerging customer needs and uses these to determine some creative new ideas.
  
  

Skills

• Action Planning Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on developing appropriate plans or performing necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements.
• Assessment Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on analyzing data from multiple sources to draw appropriate conclusions and make suitable recommendations.
• Data Collection and Analysis Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on analyzing data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making.
• Planning and Organizing Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on planning, organizing, prioritizing and overseeing activities to efficiently meet business objectives.
• Project Management Works without supervision while providing technical guidance when required on managing projects and/or programs within desired cost, time and quality parameters.
• Verbal Communication Uses clear and effective verbal communications skills without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on expressing ideas, requesting actions and formulating plans or policies.
• Project Tracking and Reporting Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on measuring and reporting progress toward intermediate targets to make sure a project stays on track to achieve its ultimate goals.
• Teamwork Works with full competence to work well with others during the execution of work, conversations, projects, meetings or other collaboration efforts. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.
  
  

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree Industrial Engineering or related.
• Experience: At least 5 years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, desirable Green Belt certification or Lean Expert.
• Experience in Manufacturing and/or Operations (Machining)
• Languages: Advanced English.
• Strong background in cost-saving projects (CIMS).
• Experience in Kaizen events
• Key Skills: Attention to detail, analysis, results-oriented, effective communication, and people management.
  
  

Competences requiered

• Training skills
• Results oriented
• Self Driven
• Resilience
• Decision Making
• Project Management
• Lean Expert
• Green Belt Knowledge