Continuous Improvement Leader

axalta; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Axalta is seeking a Continuous Improvement Leader at our Front Royal, VA facility. You will lead lean initiatives, champion Six Sigma, and drive value through cross-functional teams to improve safety, quality, capacity and productivity.

The role requires a engineering/chemistry degree, 10 years of operations leadership, and strong financial analytics. The compensation is $120,000-$150,000 annually, with opportunities to shape world-class process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience in progressive operations leadership roles with a focus on operational excellence.
• Experience applying lean manufacturing, Kaizen methodology and production systems.
• Strong financial and analytical skills; ability to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive transformational change.

Responsibilities

• Leads improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and non-value-added work using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen.
• Supports development and validation of new capacity and processes.
• Develops ROI-based proposals for special projects.
• Facilitates cross-functional expert teams to drive performance in People, Quality, Material Flow, Inventory, and Cost.
• Provides basic Six Sigma training to project team members.
• Reports on project progress to leadership monthly.
• Prepares detailed plans to track project performance.
• Identifies barriers and escalates to champions.
• Demonstrates project management proficiency and milestones.
• Partners with leaders to identify areas of process improvement through lean thinking.
• Analyzes processes to improve safety, quality, capacity, productivity.
• Gemba observation.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Change agent

Financial analysis

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Lean/Six Sigma tools

Kaizen

Production systems

Job description

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers' products - whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals - and add dimension and beauty with colourful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.

We are currently looking for a Continuous Improvement Leader to join us at our facility in Front Royal, VA .

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We've recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and non-value-added work utilizing standard practices such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and logical problem solving.
• Supports the development and validation of new capacity and processes.
• Develops proposals that include return on investment (ROI), benefits and alternatives for special projects.
• Facilitate cross-functional expert teams to drive breakthrough or Best-in-Class performance in People, Quality, Material Flow, Inventory, and Cost
• Identifies key individuals for team membership and secures their approval to become team members to foster change.
• Provides basic Six Sigma training to project team members.
• Applies Six Sigma tools and techniques to measure, analyze, improve, and control project processes.
• Reports on project progress to Champion and other appropriate leadership levels at least on a monthly basis
• Prepares detailed plans to track project performance and assure timely completion and achievement of quality and savings goals.
• Identifies barriers to project success and solicits help from champions when needed.
• Demonstrates project management proficiency by defining project requirements and project milestones, tracking progress, resolving problems, communicating progress, and recommending / executing actions.
• Partners with organizational leaders and others to identify areas of process improvement and recommends solutions through the lens of lean thinking.
• Analyzes processes and procedures to identify and develop strategies to improve safety, quality, increase capacity and improve productivity.
• Willingness to directly observe and inquiry at the shop floor level, where value is created - Gemba.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry or related field; (Master's degree preferred)
• 10 years of experience in progressive operations leadership roles with a focus on operational excellence
• Working knowledge of multiple operations disciplines (i.e., operations, quality systems, EHS&S, Lean/Six Sigma tools, etc.) amongst products, including experience applying or implementing lean manufacturing, kaizen methodology and productions systems
• Ability to balance strategic and hands‑on requirements of the role with a flexible and collaborative management style
• Must be a change agent with a record of accomplishments focusing on driving transformational change
• Strong financial and analytical skills; must be able to develop and implement a strategy to maximize productivity and profitability
• Ability to work across the network with strong influencing skills to achieve desired results without direct reporting responsibilities
• Demonstrated experience in gathering and analyzing business data and key performance indicators for senior level leadership teams
• Flexible and adaptable to demanding and fast-paced work environment

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We've recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.

The expected compensation range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 USD annually.

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers' products - whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals - and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us