Business System Practitioner

Johnson Controls, Inc.; Albany (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Controls is seeking a Front‑Line Lean Leader to guide daily production, embed Lean thinking, and develop frontline team members. You will coach problem solving, sustain Lean systems, and drive improvements that impact safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

You will lead standard work, 5S, visual management, and pull systems; conduct Gemba walks; facilitate Kaizen events; and collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and supply chain to align frontline execution with strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering.
• Experience in a Lean environment (maturing or advanced preferred).
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean tools: VSM, Kaizen facilitation, SMED, 5S, standard work, takt time, flow, pull systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily production to meet SQDCP targets.
• Coach team members in structured problem solving: A3 thinking, PDCA, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis.
• Develop frontline team members through training, coaching and Gemba walks.
• Promote Lean behaviors and ensure standard work is followed and audited.
• Drive safety & quality ownership and root-cause problem solving.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain and Quality to align objectives.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Industrial engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field

Job description

About Us

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission‑critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education. For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry‑leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real‑world results and help move society forward.

What you will do

The Front‑Line Lean Leader is responsible for leading daily operations while embedding and sustaining Lean principles to drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development. This role goes beyond traditional supervision by acting as a coach, problem solver, and culture builder, ensuring Lean thinking becomes the standard way of working. The ideal candidate develops frontline team members, strengthens problem‑solving capability, and continuously improves processes through structured Lean methodologies.

How you will do it

1. 1. Daily Operations & Performance Management

   Lead and manage daily production to meet SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) targets. Conduct and sustain tiered daily management (TDM) / huddles. Monitor visual management boards and drive accountability to KPIs. Escalate issues appropriately and ensure timely resolution.

2. 2. Lean Leadership & Continuous Improvement

   Own and sustain Lean systems such as: Standard Work 5S and workplace organization Visual management Kanban / pull systems Lead and facilitate: Kaizen events Daily continuous improvement (DCI) Waste identification and elimination (8 wastes) Ensure improvements are standardized, sustained, and audited.

3. 3. Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

   Coach team members in structured problem solving: A3 thinking PDCA cycles 5 Whys and fishbone analysis Personally lead resolution of complex or recurring problems Build team capability to move from reactive firefighting to proactive prevention.

4. 4. People Development & Engagement

   Develop team members through: Skills training and cross‑training Coaching on Lean behaviors and mindset Conduct daily Gemba walks with a focus on: Listening Teaching Removing barriers Foster a culture of: Respect for people Accountability Continuous learning.

5. 5. Standard Work & Process Discipline

   Ensure all processes are defined, documented, and followed Maintain and improve Leader Standard Work Audit adherence to standards and drive gap closure Promote stability before optimization.

6. 6. Safety & Quality Ownership

   Champion a zero‑incident safety culture Lead safety observations and corrective actions Ensure quality at the source: Stop and fix problems Support mistake‑proofing (poka‑yoke) Reinforce “do not pass defects forward” mindset.

7. 7. Collaboration & Cross‑Functional Alignment

   Work closely with: Engineering Maintenance Supply Chain Quality Support implementation of new processes and improvements. Drive alignment between frontline execution and strategic objectives.

What we look for

Experience & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred or 3–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering. Experience in a Lean environment (maturing or advanced preferred). Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement initiatives. Demonstrated expertise in Lean tools: VSM, Kaizen facilitation, SMED, 5S, standard work, takt time, flow, pull systems. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with experience using A3 or similar methodologies. Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills.

Leadership Competencies

Coaching mindset (teaches rather than directs). High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Ability to hold people accountable while maintaining trust. Strong facilitation and communication skills.

Behavioral Traits

Bias for action with structured thinking. Curious and continuously learning. Resilient and adaptable in a changing environment. Leads by example (“walks the talk”).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non‑discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.

Johnson Controls: Enhancing the Intelligence of Buildings

Your buildings have a purpose. They are places for people to live or work. Facilities for learning or healing. Venues for entertainment and shopping. Sites for the specialized storage of tangible goods or mission‑critical data. Your buildings have a huge variety of functions; they are central to your mission. This is where Johnson Controls comes in, helping drive the outcomes that matter most. Through a full range of systems and digital solutions, we make your buildings smarter. A smarter building is safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and, ultimately, more sustainable. Most important, smarter buildings let you focus more intensely on your unique mission. Better for your people. Better for your bottom line. Better for the planet. At Johnson Controls, we’ve been making buildings smarter since 1885, and our capabilities, depth of innovation experience, and global reach have been growing ever since. Today, we offer the world’s largest portfolio of building products, technologies, software, and services; we put that portfolio to work to transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play.