Continuous Improvement Engineer II

A.O. Smith; Ashland City (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A.O. Smith is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer II to drive Lean initiatives across production operations in Ashland City, Tennessee. You will lead CI projects, analyze data, and deploy standardized work instructions to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

The role requires collaboration with IT and shop teams to apply AOSos and achieve measurable performance gains. Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's in engineering and 3+ years of CI experience, with strong change management,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of related work experience or training.
• Change Management - Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Excellent understanding of Lean Manufacturing processes and concepts

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects, utilizing basic and advanced CI tools to optimize workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance productivity across production processes.
• Monitor, collect and analyze production and process data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities. Recommend and implement solutions to reduce time, waste, and costs while improving efficiency.
• Develop and maintain process maps. Support front line teams in their development and deployment of standards including job instructions.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions, Kaizen events, and workshops to address operational challenges, applying root cause analysis (RCA) and Lean methodologies to eliminate waste and enhance processes.
• Design and implement measurement systems, including KPIs, to track and evaluate the effectiveness of process improvements and sustainability.
• Train and mentor team members on continuous improvement tools and methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and empowering staff in executing and leading improvement activities.
• Monitor and manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, collaborating with teams to resolve issues, ensure effective communication, and meet project objectives.
• Prepare and present detailed reports on project outcomes, recommendations, and progress to stakeholders and site leadership.
• Maintain comprehensive records of improvement activities, ensuring transparency and facilitating knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Collaborate with IT and systems teams to support appropriate technology solutions to adopt innovation in business processes.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Change Management

Strategic Thinking

Adaptability

Innovation

Cost Consciousness

Business Acumen

Team Leadership

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

The Continuous Improvement Engineer II is responsible for driving the development and execution of Continuous Improvement initiatives (AO Smith Operating Systems) aimed at optimizing business operations, and the advancement of a culture of continuous improvement by supporting the adoption and consistent application of AOSos throughout the organization. This role is key in identifying opportunities to enhance processes, improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost reduction, all in alignment with organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects, utilizing basic and advanced CItools to optimize workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance productivityacross production processes.
• Monitor, collect and analyze production and process data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities. Recommend and implement solutions to reduce time, waste, and costs while improving efficiency.
• Develop and maintain process maps. Support front line teams in their development and deployment of standards including job instructions.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions, Kaizen events, and workshops to address operational challenges, applying root cause analysis (RCA) and Lean methodologies to eliminate waste and enhance processes.
• Design and implement measurement systems, including KPIs, to track and evaluate the effectiveness of process improvements and sustainability.
• Train and mentor team members on continuous improvement tools and methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and empowering staff in executing and leading improvement activities.
• Monitor and manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, collaborating with teams to resolve issues, ensure effective communication, and meet project objectives.
• Prepare and present detailed reports on project outcomes, recommendations, and progress to stakeholders and site leadership.
• Maintain comprehensive records of improvement activities, ensuring transparency and facilitating knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Collaborate with IT and systems teams to support appropriate technology solutions to adopt innovation in business processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field
• 3+ years of related work experience or training
• Change Management - Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Excellent understanding of Lean Manufacturing processes and concepts

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.
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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status.

We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.