Continuous Improvement Lean Engineer

PlayPower, Inc.; Monett (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

PlayPower, Inc. in Monett, MO is seeking a Continuous Improvement Lean Engineer to lead site-wide Lean initiatives, improve on-time delivery, and drive cost efficiencies. You will collaborate with plant staff and cross-functional leaders while coaching teams in Lean tools and problem-solving.

The role requires hands-on leadership, training, and the ability to develop and execute Kaizen events, value stream maps, and daily management routines to achieve tangible results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years applying Lean concepts in a manufacturing environment.
• Lean Certification (SME/AME) is a plus.
• Experience with Lean tools: VSM, Standard Work, Kanban, Daily Management, 5S/Visual Management, SMED, TPM, Kaizen.
• Ability to empower employees, drive change, and develop teams.
• High sense of urgency with results-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean deployment across site operations and train staff.
• Develop a Monett Action Plan and map current state processes.
• Implement Lean principles including takt, flow, pull, and level production.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and track improvements with metrics.
• Develop daily management, standardized work, and problem-solving routines.
• Coach Kaizen leaders and promote continuous improvement.
• Publish quarterly Lean metrics and financial impact to leadership.

Skills

Lean principles

Root cause analysis

Value stream mapping

Daily management

Standard work

5S/Visual management

Kanban

Kaizen

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering

Related field degree

Tools

Value Stream Mapping

Standard Work

Kanban

5S/Visual Management

SMED

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

Kaizen

Pull Systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Continuous Improvement Lean Engineer

Company Overview & Values

At PlayPower, we are not just a company; we’re a passionate family of brands dedicated to creating moments of joy and inspiration through play. As a global leader in crafting premier recreational equipment, our mission is to ignite imagination and fuel creativity in people of all ages. By joining our team of over 1600 employees across the world, you are joining a community that believes in the Power of Play! If you're ready to make a lasting impact and bring laughter and fun to the lives of children and adults, explore our exciting opportunities to help us create a world where play knows no limits.

Company Values:

• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect and Caring for Others
• Openness and Collaboration
• Individual and Team Accountability
• Passion and Purpose

The Lean Engineer consistently improves on-time delivery, lead-times, efficiencies, and operating financial performance. Key working relationships include plant staff, functional leaders across departments and operators in the west plant (metal manufacturing) in Monett, MO. The successful candidate will be a hands-on CI leader to assist manufacturing operations in understanding and improving processes.

EXPECTATIONS

• The Lean Engineer will inspire management thinking by challenging current practices and methods through the deployment of Lean methodology at all levels of the site operations. This will be accomplished by establishing internal business partnerships to effectively execute strategic planning, value stream mapping, creating gaps analyses, identifying/prioritizing kaizen events, implementing tracking methods to measure results, and leading root cause/countermeasure analysis for misses.
• An evaluation of the business through “current state” mapping and the development of a Monett Action Plan.
• Implementation of Lean System principles across the sites, focusing on the basics of takt, flow, pull and level production.
• Teaching Lean Concepts and tools including: Daily Management, disciplined problem-solving, standardized work, job instruction, material pull systems, value stream mapping, lean scheduling methods, Kaizen activities, variation reduction, 5S, and Six Sigma related initiatives
• Administer training materials to facilitate the understanding of Lean Manufacturing improvement concepts and techniques to all levels of associates.
• Train and develop Kaizen leaders across the business.
• Developing the daily management plan and Gemba, through dialogue and communication with peers, to establish protocols and cadences for next-level efficiency practices; highlighted and evidenced through standard operating reviews.
• Promote and facilitate diagnosis of workflow impediments and other wastes throughout the business and provide expert counsel on appropriate tools to eliminate them.
• Promote and facilitate associate development in various tools, lean production, and Kaizen leadership. Facilitate networking and best practice sharing.
• Develop, track and report on all metrics quarterly associated with Lean and Continuous Improvement activities, including financial impact to executive leadership; this is a “high visibility” role.

REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, or related field highly preferred.
• Three or more years of experience utilizing Lean improvement concepts in a manufacturing or production environment required.
• SME/AME Lean Certification is a plus.
• Experience with a variety of Lean tools including but not limited to: Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Pull Systems & Kanban, Daily Management, 5S/Visual Management, SMED, TPM, Kaizen is a plus.
• Experience creating Lean practices that empower employees, accelerate change, and enable personal and team development.
• Possesses a high sense of urgency.
• Driven by very high expectations and delivers results, not “activity”.
• Is highly autonomous and self-directed.
• Loyal and honest; integrity will be the essential characteristic of the successful finalist candidate.
• A team player who is comfortable with consensus building in a mid-sized company environment.

Company Information and Disclaimer

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment setting or may be exposed to noise if working in or around a production area. Schedule is Monday through Friday, normal business hours. Constantly required to sit, use hands, talk, and hear. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Position Location:

Position is onsite Monday through Friday (day shift) and is not remote eligible.

Compensation:

Compensation for this position will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications, aligning with industry standards. The salary range for Monett, MO, is also based upon geographical market standards for the industry and position in those areas.

There is a possibility of a bonus(es) based on individual performance and merit to be paid at the sole discretion of the company, but bonus(es) are not guaranteed unless outlined in writing in the offer letter extended to the candidate selected for the position.

PlayPower and its subsidiaries, PLAYPOWER, offers a competitive benefits package including, but not limited to, paid time off, health insurance, and 401(K) for full-time positions.

Reference checks and pre-employment drug testing will be conducted.

Disclaimer:

The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting but could be higher based on education, experience, and the location of the position. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual's education, training and experience, the position's work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires. Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the job description for accurate starting pay range information or feel free to discuss this with an HR professional if you are chosen to move forward with an interview. This position may be eligible for bonuses based on company discretion.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. PLAYPOWER reserves the right to change job duties, including essential job functions, according to business necessity.