Continuous Improvement Analyst

AUTOKINITON; Belleville (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

AUTOKINITON is seeking a Lean/Continuous Improvement Specialist to support departmental goals and drive cost reductions within the Michigan plant. The role emphasizes applying lean methods, problem-solving, and cross-department collaboration to enhance competitiveness and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in business and 0–3 years in manufacturing, with strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills. Metal manufacturing experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field; manufacturing, engineering or quality preferred.
• 0–3 years of experience in manufacturing; metals environment preferred.
• Proven experience applying lean manufacturing concepts.
• Strong written and verbal communication and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing departmental strategic goals and track key measurable metrics.
• Assist in cost reduction plans to improve competitiveness and efficiency.
• Support process improvement initiatives to optimize plant operations.
• Review methods, technology, and workflows; apply lean concepts.
• Plan, execute, monitor and continuously improve plant objectives with teams.
• Provide guidance on applying lean manufacturing techniques.
• Monitor Tower Automotive Production System and implement corrective actions.
• Help verify training to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Track improvement activities related to business plan and goals.
• Drive problem solving methods for plant and customer issues.
• Assist with activities to achieve customer cost reductions.
• Support achieving customer awards and quality registrations.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Analytical skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

To help us drive excellence, you’ll get to:

• Assist in the development of departmental strategic goals and identify and track key measurable to support the department goals.

• Assist in the development and implementation of cost reduction plans to improve competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Assist in the development and implementation of process improvement initiatives and activities throughout the plant to improve competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Assist in the review and measurement of manufacturing methods, technology application and workflow processes and apply lean/continuous improvement application skills.
• Responsible for working with the various departments to plan, execute, monitor and continuously improve plant and corporate objectives.
• Provide support and guidance to all departments in the application of lean/continuous improvement manufacturing techniques.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the Tower Automotive Production System, anticipate problems, implement corrective action and develop adjustments to the system.
• Assist in the development, implementation and monitor of verification methods to ensure team members are gaining knowledge from the training and that the continuous improvement activities are sustainable long term.
• Track, monitor and implement required improvement activities related to business plan, goals, issues, etc.
• Direct and drive the utilization of problem solving methods for related plant and customer issues.
• Assist with plant activities to achieve customer cost reductions goals.
• Provide active leadership role in meeting / exceeding customer expectations in all related areas.
• Utilize teamwork to develop plant synergy.
• Support plant activities towards achieving customer awards and Quality registrations (ex. TS 16949, ISO 14001, Pentastar, etc.)

Required Experience

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in business related field, prefer manufacturing, engineering or quality.
• Zero (0) to three (3) years’ experience in a manufacturing environment with experience in a metals environment preferred, or a combination of degree and experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated experience in applying lean manufacturing concepts.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to read and write in English and perform mathematical calculations.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s Degree in business related field, prefer manufacturing, engineering or quality.
• Zero (0) to three (3) years’ experience in a manufacturing environment with experience in a metals environment preferred, or a combination of degree and experience.
• Possess knowledge of plant department functions and corresponding roles and interactions to facilitate overall plant synergy.
• Vision and ability to translate progressive operating techniques into applications and results.
• Knowledge and the ability to train and mentor others in formal problem solving techniques such as Kaizen, value stream mapping, JIT synchronous, SMED quick die change, etc.
• Proven leadership ability and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret financial and performance data.
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software.
• Experience in quality and environmental measurables such as TS 16949 and ISO 14001.