Continuous Improvement Engineering Co-op

The Marmon Group LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Marmon Group LLC is seeking a Lean Continuous Improvement Engineering Co-op to support deployment and evaluation of Lean practices across Marmon Transportation. You will promote Lean tools, conduct root-cause analysis, and help reduce waste while working with teams at multiple levels and locations.

You will gain hands-on experience in Kaizen events, process mapping, and performance reporting, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and a cross-functional mindset within a Berkshire

Qualifications

• Energy and initiative to drive improvement programs.
• Ability to influence others without formal authority.
• Willingness to travel 20–50% and relocate for co-op terms.
• Independent, self-starter with relationship-building skills.
• Proficient with MS Office, especially Excel, Word, SharePoint and Smartsheets.
• CAD knowledge with SolidWorks or Fusion 360 is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with local team to identify process gaps and drive improvements.
• Support lean transformation activities and plant-level projects.
• Work with automation teams to justify and plan automation.
• Lead Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen events across phases.
• Coach teams in applying lean methods for sustained improvements.
• Develop performance measures and report progress to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Influence

Travel 20-50%

Prioritization

MS Office

Excel

SharePoint

Smartsheets

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Job description

The Marmon Group LLC As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Lean The Continuous Improvement Engineering Co-op will report to the Regional Lean Specialist and support the deployment, evaluation, and implementation of Lean at the Marmon Transportation Group. The individual will actively promote and facilitate the use of continuous improvement methods (e.g., LEAN tools, root cause analysis, waste reduction, etc.) to improve performance in safety, quality, performance, and cost every day. This position is responsible for working directly with and influencing all levels of employees within the plant.

Requirements

• Energy, enthusiasm, and initiative to create programs and drive outcomes, balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead and influence others without formal control to achieve desired results.
• Ability to travel 20-50% to other facilities/shops as well as relocation to different business units for different co-op terms.
• Independent, self-starter, ability to build relationships and earn trust.
• Ability to prioritize work based on factors such as potential impact, business, personal schedule, and coworkers’ schedules.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, SharePoint and Smartsheets.

Preferred Assets

• Previous experience with Lean/Automation – including jobs, internships, co-op assignments, class projects, and extracurricular groups.
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or other CAD packages.
• Preference to work multiple semesters as previous interns have completed.
• Desire/motivated to work 4-12 hours a week during the school year pre and post co-op with a multi-term commitment.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with local team to identify process gaps and implement process improvement activities to achieve dramatic improvement in the key business metrics of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee development.
• Management of the lean transformational activities and projects at a plant.
• Collaborate with automation team to optimize process before automating and help build the justification for automation projects.
• Effective facilitation and execution of Value Stream Maps and Kaizen/Impact Events through all stages (A3 charter ideation / creation, pre-work identification and completion, delivery of results in Kaizen/Impact week, regular follow up, and follow through on sustainment).
• Facilitate conversations with local team to ensure team stays focused and kept accountable on action items.
• Provide formal and informal training, coaching, and mentoring to employees: must be able to translate concepts to local situations and help individuals and teams progress in understanding and correct application for sustainable business improvements.
• Coach process owners how to use engineering and Lean methods to achieve operational excellence.
• Establish and implement performance measures.
• Provide regular reports of data and actions to measure progress against the plant objectives.
• Work with site leadership to conduct assessments of critical sites and business needs.
• Actively partnering with process owners to ensure results delivered / future state achieved and ability to connect the dots in the Operations function and ensure business priorities come first.
• Establish agenda and frequency and be an active participant in regular Management Review meetings.
• Manage personal business travel plans, prioritization of current projects, and communicate efforts to direct leadership.
• Develop personal and plant competency plans in the application of continuous improvement methods and Lean tools.

Additional Information

This role is a development role for individuals aspiring to grow their skills and leadership.

Location: Preferred Metropolitan Detroit, Chicagoland area. In addition, other Marmon locations-multi-city in the Carolinas, Midwest, Southeast & Virginia.

Pay Range: 20.70 - 25.30

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class.

If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [e-mail], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.

Welcome to the biggest small business you’ll ever find.

Part of Berkshire Hathaway, Marmon is a global industrial organization made of 11 industry groups with 30K employees and $12 billion in annual revenue.

As leaders in their respective industries, our 120+ companies thrive on an independent mindset and entrepreneurial spirit.

At the same time, they benefit from being part of our industry groups—where they’re able to tap into the expertise and insights of other Marmon companies.

While we’re all unique, we all share a common commitment to doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way.

Testimonials

Valerie Hebenstreit - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020;2022: "As an intern at Marmon, I had the opportunity to work with several incredibly knowledgeable business leaders. Marmon offers a unique experience, one that has allowed me to grow my skills exponentially in one summer and now as a full-time employee."

Hayley Bernson - University of Illinois Chicago, 2019: "My internship at Marmon was a rewarding experience. Having been provided with the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge surrounded by business professionals and leaders has helped me flourish into the tax professional I am today."

Sophia DiFatta - University of Iowa, 2018: "As an intern at Marmon, I had the opportunity to apply the skills I was learning in school. Since then, I've been able to continue learning through experiences across many industries and job functions."

Rosevette Toussaint - University of Central Florida, 2021: "When I began the internship, I knew continuing a career with Marmon would be the right decision. I enjoy being a part of Marmon because the company believes in developing, investing, and helping all its employees reach their highest potential."

Fernando Jose Aguilar Harrison - Valparaiso University, 2015: "As an engineering intern at Cornelius, I had the opportunity to work on an exciting new development project for Starbucks and other F500 customers. Marmon Foodservice Technologies allows me to explore different roles in and outside of engineering."

AWS Summit Series 2018 - Chicago: Jeff Garascia, Chief Innovation Officer at Marmon Holding Interview: Liz Nelson, VP of Human Resources Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Career Recruitment Video Marmon Foodservice Technologies- Making A Difference