Assistant Manager

Toyota Boshoku America; Lawrenceville (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Toyota Boshoku America is seeking a seasoned Manufacturing Senior Leader to direct department group leaders, team leaders, and teams across shifts in applying the Toyota Production System. You will drive safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction while sustaining a positive, collaborative work environment.

Responsibilities include leading audits, developing leaders, implementing 5S and JIT processes, and guiding continuous improvement with KPI monitoring and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years in manufacturing, preferably automotive.
• Minimum 3 years of functional leadership in manufacturing.
• Strong TPS knowledge and problem-solving ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage manufacturing activities for assigned areas/shift to meet customer requirements.
• Ensure safety, quality, efficiency, and morale targets are met.
• Develop Group Leaders in applying TB Way and TBBP.
• Lead continuous improvement and waste reduction initiatives.
• Monitor KPI, downtime, and production efficiency; drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate budgeting, headcount planning, and training matrices.

Skills

TPS principles

Leadership

Manufacturing processes

Kanban

5S

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Budgeting

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Related field or equivalent experience

Tools

TPS/Kaizen tools

5S auditing

Quality management systems

Job description

General Summary

Manage and lead Manufacturing department group leaders, team leaders, and team members for assigned areas/shift to ensure safety, quality, positive work environment, customer requirements, and manufacturing needs are met through the Toyota Production System (TPS) philosophy. Provide leadership and motivation to direct reports in manufacturing system that emphasizes safety, quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.

Essential Job Functions

• Leads and manages manufacturing activities and related functions for assigned areas/shift to meet customer requirements.
• Ensure manufacturing operations are running effectively in the areas of safety, quality, efficiency/productivity, cost, and team member morale.
• Provide direction and motivation to group leaders focusing on safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and morale.
• Conduct daily manufacturing production area audits to ensure procedures for safety, quality, equipment, and training are being followed and all aspects of manufacturing are effective including correcting sub-standards.
• Lead development of Group Leaders in the consistent application of the TB Way and Toyota Boshoku Business Practices (TBBP).
• Implement short and long term corrective actions for manufacturing problems.
• Ensure all departmental procedures are complaint with quality and environmental management systems and programs.
• Monitor daily build sheets and analyze efficiency rates and downtime to ensure customer requirements are being met.
• Lead Manufacturing supervision for assigned areas/shift in utilizing TPS techniques.
• Learn, embrace, implement, and teach TPS techniques to Manufacturing team members.
• Coordinate and maintain standardization of processes/methods and one piece flow in Just in Time (JIT) production system.
• Lead identification of manufacturing problems and eliminate waste.
• Develops, leads, monitors, and participates in a Manufacturing continuous improvement system.
• Kaizen and develop processes that lower operating costs and increase efficiency.
• Implement, monitor, and maintain a clean, organized department through 5S activity.
• Support development and management of annual plan, budget, and Key Performance Indicators (KPI), operating efficiency, and cost control.
• Ensure Manufacturing hoshin goals are met and kept on track.
• Assists Production Manager in developing, planning, and maintaining the budget including making adjustments to achieve targets.
• Assist in the review and planning of headcount monthly for labor cost control and production efficiency (PEFF).
• Review and track Manufacturing Key Performance Indicators (KPI) including leading problem solving for negative trends or goals not met.
• Assist with generation and report out of weekly/monthly reports with targets.
• Participates in management discussions and planning sessions to help formulate cost reduction, product improvement, and problem solving activities, and supports presentation of operational performance daily/weekly.
• Develops and maintains positive team member relations centered on mutual trust, dignity, respect, fairness, consistency, two-way communication, teamwork, and harmony.
• Provides direction and motivation to team members emphasizing quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, safety and health, and morale.
• Ensures further development of group leaders, team leaders, and team members through performance evaluation, development of training plans, feedback, coaching, corrective action, and cascade training. Update team member training matrix and schedule any needed training.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in a manufacturing environment required, preferably automotive.
• Minimum 3 years of functional leadership experience as supervisor in a manufacturing environment.

Personal/Technical Skills

• Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes including material controls, work flow, scheduling, kanban, and equipment and machine operation.
• Working knowledge of automotive industry equipment and production systems.
• General understanding and practical work experience with manufacturing systems and processes.
• Practical experience applying Toyota Production System (TPS) principles in an automotive environment.
• Versed in statistical data entry and utilization of trend analysis.
• Advanced math skills.
• Strong leadership skills and ability.
• Excellent problem solving and people skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Ability to effectively facilitate problem solving and resolution.
• Ability work with a dynamic team and demanding customer(s).
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to read instruction manuals, blue prints, and specifications.
• Ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas.
• Ability to maintain on call flexibility to control abnormal conditions.
• Ability to be flexible in a constantly changing production environment.
• Ability to communicate and work well with others in a team environment.
• Ability to speak to groups of people and make presentations to executive groups.
• Ability to multi-task, handle diversity, and provide leadership through problem resolution.
• Must be able to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend