Continuous Improvement Lead
Magna International
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Job summary
Magna is seeking a seasoned Lean/CI professional to strengthen our production excellence in South Carolina. You will lead safety, quality, and efficiency initiatives, coach cross-functional teams, and deploy the Magna Production System across plants.
Strong problem solving, data analysis, and leadership are essential for delivering measurable improvements. Responsibilities include Kaizen events, IATF 16949 alignment, 5S, and continuous development of processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Operational Excellence, or related roles.
- Demonstrated experience leading Kaizen events and process improvement initiatives.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Strong leadership, facilitation, coaching, and training skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams and influencing organizational change.
Responsibilities
- Ensure a Safe Work Environment and compliance with EHS policies.
- Report and resolve hazards; investigate incidents with root-cause reporting.
- Support Return to Work for injured employees.
- Participate in monthly EHS inspections.
- Champion 5S; conduct audits and drive improvements.
- Maintain conformance to IATF 16949; update procedures as needed.
- Lead, coach, and develop MPS team members to meet safety, quality, and performance goals.
- Staffing, attendance, payroll accuracy, and LOA management.
- Perform employee evaluations and provide coaching.
- Provide feedback and promote engagement for continuous improvement.
- Lead deployment of Magna Production System (MPS) using Lean tools.
- Develop and execute MPS objectives aligned with plant goals.
- Identify and lead continuous improvement opportunities via Kaizen events.
- Oversee data collection and analysis of performance metrics and report findings.
- Train and mentor teams on MPS, Lean, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, HR.
- Maintain positive work environment and communicate with stakeholders.
- Prepare and present reports to plant leadership.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.
Magna is an innovative leader in the development and manufacturing of high quality complete seating systems. Our solution includes seating structures, mechanisms and hardware, as well as foam and trim products for global automotive, heavy truck and bus industries. Our capabilities include market and consumer research; full concept development; design and engineering capabilities; testing, validation and world-class manufacturing. Our award-winning seating solutions are developed from consumer research, finding the ease of operation to be comfortable, convenient and connected.
- Compliance with all EHS policies and procedures is sustained.
- Report and resolve any identified hazards. Investigate workplace accidents/incidents of which you are aware and/or within the work area(s) under your responsibility, which may include but is not limited to conducting interviews with employees, investigating the incident scene, preparing incident investigation reports, and implementing corrective actions.
- In the event of a critical injury, ensure a worker representative of the Joint Health & Safety Committee is notified and assists with the investigation.
- Support employees impaired through injury or illness to safely return to work (Return to Work program).
- Participate in monthly EHS inspections.
- Champion plant 5S activity, ensure regular audits are conducted and issues corrected to ensure the operation meets 5S expectations.
Ensure conformance to IATF 16949 quality management standards is sustained. Maintain process procedures and documentation as applicable. Identify and suggest changes to procedures as appropriate.
Lead, coach, and develop MPS team members to achieve safety, quality, and performance expectations.
- Ensure conformance to all company policies or procedures and hold employees accountable for non-compliance.
- Lead by example.
- Ensure that interactions with employees are civil, respectful, and professional always.
- Conduct meetings and communicate safety, quality, goals, priorities, and performance results.
- Ensure proper staffing levels and maintain accurate and timely records related to timecards, schedules, attendance, etc. Ensure employees are paid correctly and accurately each payroll. Review Leave of Absence (LOA) requests.
- Perform employee performance evaluations (as applicable) and provide corrective coaching when necessary.
- Respond to employee issues, concerns, and suggestions as soon as possible.
- Provide feedback to employees (both positive and negative) on an ongoing basis.
- Promote employee engagement and a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Lead the deployment, integration, and sustainment of the Magna Production System (MPS) across all functional areas, ensuring the effective use of Lean manufacturing tools and continuous improvement methodologies, including time studies, cycle time analysis, job analysis, standardized work, value stream mapping, A3, PDCA, 5 Why, visual management, and structured problem-solving techniques.
Develop and execute annual and strategic MPS objectives aligned with plant performance goals, driving initiatives that eliminate waste, reduce costs, improve productivity, minimize scrap and downtime, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
Identify, prioritize, and lead continuous improvement opportunities through data analysis, process observations, workflow assessments, Kaizen events, and cross-functional problem-solving activities.
Oversee the collection and analysis of operational data and performance metrics to identify trends, determine root causes, develop corrective and preventive actions, and present findings and recommendations to management.
Lead and support the implementation, communication, and sustainment of process improvements and standardized work practices through training, coaching, audits, and follow-up activities to ensure long-term results.
Develop, implement, and maintain Job Element Sheets (JES), standardized work documentation, and other continuous improvement tools and standards.
Establish, monitor, and report plant-wide continuous improvement metrics to measure performance, track progress, and support business objectives.
Coach, mentor, and train team members, supervisors, and managers on MPS, Lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Human Resources to support operational excellence, business objectives, new product launches, and process changes.
Maintain a positive and collaborative work environment by communicating effectively and building productive relationships with customers, team members, leadership, and other stakeholders.
Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and recommendations to plant leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Operational Excellence, or related roles.
- Demonstrated experience leading Kaizen events and process improvement initiatives.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Strong leadership, facilitation, coaching, and training skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams and influencing organizational change.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience in automotive manufacturing or Tier 1 supplier environment.
- Knowledge of Magna Production System (MPS), Toyota Production System (TPS), or similar operating systems.
- Experience with value stream mapping, standardized work development, and visual management systems.
- Familiarity with Industry 4.0, automation, and manufacturing analytics tools.
- Knowledge of quality systems, APQP, PFMEA, SPC, and problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience leading plant-wide transformational improvement initiatives.
- Project management training or certification.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequently stand and/or sit.
- Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.
- Reach with hands and arms.
- Balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Talk, hear or smell.
- Lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the associate is exposed to an office atmosphere with substantial manufacturing floor exposure.
At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.
As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.
Regular / Permanent
Magna Seating
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