Continuous Improvement Manager

Metromont LLC; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Metromont is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager to partner with plant CI engineers, drive lean initiatives, and identify automation opportunities across the organization. You will guide Value Stream Mapping, coach teams, and coordinate cross-functional projects for safety, quality, schedule and cost improvements.

The role requires a strong track record in manufacturing CI, TPS/Lean, and robotics exposure, with significant travel between plant sites and the corporate office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 7 years’ experience in a continuous improvement role within manufacturing.
• Experience with TPS Lean principles and related coaching abilities.
• Experience implementing robotics and automation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead VSM events to establish/update current state and identify future state targets.
• Mentor teams in lean principles and methodologies.
• Drive standard work procedures and process reviews.
• Provide technical support to plant management as needed.
• Own long-term roadmap/vision of automation opportunities and developments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Bias to action

Lead cross-functional teams

Project management

Lean tools

Analytical thinking

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field

Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt

TPS (Toyota Production System) knowledge

Toyota Kata experience (a plus)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE

The Continuous Improvement Manager works closely as a servient role with the Continuous Improvement Engineers at each plant to support, develop and implement lean initiatives and projects. They are also tasked with continually evaluating automation opportunities for both a use case and a business case. The CI Manager leads Value Stream Mapping updates and assists in planning prioritized actions to drive measurable improvement. They collaborate with leaders within the organization to promote and implement Metromont’s vision for continuous improvement at a company level, sharing wins, activities in process, and future planned activities. They interact at all levels within the organization to drive clarity on opportunities in safety, quality, schedule, and cost.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead VSM events to establish/update current state and identify future state targets.
• Actively lead or support process improvement teams based on VSM identified opportunities or Just Do It projects.
• Use lean techniques to perform process reviews and establish standardized work procedures.
• Mentor Metromont associates in lean principles and methodologies.
• Provide information and technical support to plant management as needed.
• Act as liaison where needed between Engineered Solution projects and Plant.
• Advocates changes in culture needed to drive continuous improvement; sometimes called upon to be a contrarian voice.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement and presents those opportunities to department heads for consideration and action.
• Works closely with Operations Management to determine global plant continuous improvement plans and support local sub projects that contribute to the global plan.
• Leads and supports continuous improvement projects for organizational units/transactional processes outside manufacturing/operations.
• Coordinates Metromont wide awareness of activities to drive standards.
• Publishes metrics around sustained improvements in safety, quality, schedule, and cost.
• Continually consider/evaluate automation opportunities to improve quality, reduce labor, improve profitability.
• Owns long-term roadmap/vision of automation opportunities/developments.
• Must adhere to all Metromont and OSHA safety rules and regulations.

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

• Reports to Senior VP of Operational Services
• Typically works unsupervised
• Interacts closely with all departments to develop continuous improvement plans

CHARACTERISTICS (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Bias to action and lead by example
• Ability to be flexible in applying Lean Tools and processes to achieve goals
• Ability to see and drive towards long term improvement goals
• Demonstrate strong personal organization practices
• Demonstrates proficiency in project management driving efficiency and waste elimination Kaizen with measurements
• Deadline-oriented and able to coordinate multiple projects
• Able to lead cross-functional teams
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical thinker with above average problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio
• Constant researcher of automation opportunities
• Comfortable selling concepts needing development to implement
• Able to adapt to changes in work schedules, tasks, or processes
• Values and demonstrates safe working behaviors

EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field
• 7 years’ experience in a continuous improvement role within a manufacturing organization with demonstrated increasing responsibility
• Experience in TPS (Toyota Production System) principles of Lean Manufacturing
• Experience in Toyota Kata is a plus
• Experience in teaching and coaching fundamental lean methodologies
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Certification a plus
• Experience in implementing and supporting robotics and other automation

WORK ENVIRONMENT / SCHEDULE

• Splits time between plant (approximately 75%) and office (approximately 25%)
• Some travel is required with overnight stays – up to 50% travel to other locations
• Monday – Friday

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)

• Safety glasses
• High-visibility vest
• Hard hat
• Steel-toed shoes
• Hearing protection

PPE only required with working in the plant

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position spends the majority of their time in the plant which requires standing, walking and climbing stairs. Office work requires long periods of sitting.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other duties as assigned may be required. All associates are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with Metromont’s core values and to actively participate in all company safety, training, and observation programs.