Continuous Improvement Process Engineer

CREMER North America, LP; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Continuous Improvement Process Engineer to drive innovation and enhance productivity across multiple plants. This role is pivotal in fostering a culture of sustainable change through the implementation of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and Lean methodologies. You will lead initiatives that streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency while collaborating with diverse teams. If you are passionate about continuous improvement and have a strong background in manufacturing, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership and training experience in WCM and Lean methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across multiple production plants.
• Facilitate training on WCM methodology and continuous improvement tools.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Project Management

Lean Manufacturing

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

5+ years related experience in manufacturing

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Quality Management Systems (ISO)

Job description

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the continuous improvement process engineer is responsible for leading, developing, and maintaining (together with Production leadership), a work environment characterized by a commitment to continuous improvement. The Continuous Improvement Process Engineer also must lead, co-implement updated processes, procedures, and system improvements in the production facilities; these processes and procedures should generate long-term benefits that involve the entire workforce. The continuous improvement methods implemented should include programs such as World Class Manufacturing (WCM), 5S, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Quick Changeovers (SMED), Autonomous Maintenance, Problem Solving and Value Stream Analysis to drive out waste and improve productivity.

This role is a key position responsible for the delivery of process innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple plants within the complex. It will play an important role in helping to foster a culture of sustainable change through the creation and embedding of World Class Manufacturing (WCM)/LEAN methodology, and the supporting framework, to deliver business transformation.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education, Credentials, Licenses:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering required, or 5+ years related experience in a manufacturing environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Kind & Length of Experience:

• Minimum 6 years proven continuous improvement analytical experience from a similar role, including project management and business analysis.
• Previous experience with World Class Manufacturing strongly desired.
• Leadership/Trainer experience, in addition to industry experience, a plus.
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (ISO).
• Experience working in regulated industries and familiar with contract manufacturing highly preferred.
• Strong with Microsoft suite of products.
• Experience working in a global organization preferred.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND STANDARDS

• Manages efforts to identify root causes of issues negatively impacting production objectives.
• Partners with Operations to drive to Zero downtime and Zero Defects.
• Facilitates Root Cause and Corrective Actions using systematic problem-solving tools (e.g., PDCA / DMAIC).
• Performs time studies and workflow analysis for production.
• Provides work content data support to senior leadership for labor ROI.
• Implements and maintains processes that sustain continuous improvement gains.
• Leads or conducts studies in safety, cost, quality, productivity, flow, value stream mapping.
• Leads and coordinates a wide variety of identified and approved initiatives and projects designed to improve processes and performance in all production facilities.
• Establishes, leads, and maintains a local WCM/Continuous Improvement Steering Committee.
• Facilitates the selection, scope, and planning of specific improvement projects.
• Identifies goals for CI events and potential quantifiable savings.
• Identifies resource requirements and ROI estimates for improvement projects.
• Leads Kaizen events and maintains reporting on events, event outcomes and action plans, and follow-up measurement results.
• Participates actively to prove process concepts as well as implementation of improvement activities.
• Monitors and maintains event schedules.
• Follows up and audits event progress to ensure results are achieved and sustained.
• Resolves implementation issues and creates and manages implementation communication process.
• Participates in new product development and/or product change initiatives.
• Analyzes manufacturing processes to identify and realize efficiency gains during new product introduction and/or product changes.

Training:

• Trains production employees on World Class Manufacturing (WCM) methodology and other continuous improvement tools and processes.
• Trains “change agent” employees, in all aspects of WCM manufacturing, waste reduction, team effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Develops training materials and effectively delivers those materials in a team environment to ensure employees throughout the facilities are trained in CI concepts and philosophy.
• Facilitates and mentors CI events and teams.

Reporting:

• Establishes appropriate measurement systems to identify opportunities and to quantify implemented improvements.
• Leads teams to develop appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for their products, process, or function.
• Participates with the local and global engineering teams on changes to and evolution of the World Class Manufacturing System.
• Participates in Customer facing partnership meetings to improve reliability, quality and cost reductions.
• Leads and executes all Visual Factory (VF) related objectives. Drives continuous progression in VF.
• Creates project proposals for Manufacturing Engineering using GEMBA data.
• Verifies leadership standard work is up-to-date, executed and best practices are used.

Other duties:

• Provides leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; creates and promotes a positive and supportive work environment.
• Employee can be asked to perform other duties that are reasonable within the area of expertise.

Skills and Competencies:

• Must have a high level of self-motivation.
• At ease and engaging as a Trainer and agent of change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Highly results-oriented and focused on business priorities, with a successful record of accomplishments.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments concurrently, including ability to assess and manage priorities.
• Self-starter with analytical skills, able to identify problems and/or opportunities for improvement, assess viable solutions, and develop and execute complex projects and comprehensive action plans.

Travel Requirements:

• Some international travel and domestic travel less than 10%.

Peter Cremer Training Required:

• We will follow the company written training program for this position.

Customer Service, Teamwork & Code of Conduct:

• Maintain a safe, legal and environmentally protective operation.
• Listen to our customers, suppliers and employees.
• Respond quickly to customer concerns.
• Maintain training and follow set guidelines to meet customer or industry regulatory requirements for quality and safety applicable to GMP, quality and food safety requirements.
• Report any food safety, security, and/or quality issues to management or the HACCP team to initiate action.
• Provide flexible and innovative strategies to support new business opportunities.
• Be cost-effective in the utilization of our resources, thereby contributing to the profitability of Cremer North America, LP and our customers.