Continuous Improvement Specialist

NPAA; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Inc. (NPAA) in Cleveland, OH is seeking a seasoned Manufacturing Process Improvement Lead to drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives.

You will lead cross-functional projects to redesign workflows and improve efficiency, quality, and cost across the plant. The role requires a technical bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years in manufacturing, with strong project management, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent working experience.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven success in project management and driving process improvements across departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPAA 5S initiative and cross-functional projects to design operation sequences.
• Conduct studies on cost control, reduction, inventory, and production records.
• Develop and implement plans for revisions to operating methods.
• Interface with departments to identify opportunities for high-quality, efficient processes.
• Facilitate Kaizen events to drive continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Track monthly customer scorecard and drive improvement activities across CI projects.
• Monitor and improve quality system areas like change control, feedback, investigations, deviations, and on-time delivery.

Skills

Project management

Lean leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field

Job description

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Inc. (NPAA) offers employees a generous earned bonus structure including monthly hourly attendance bonuses, merit increases and an annual bonus incentive plan. Employees receive 11 paid holidays per year, earn paid time off, can enroll in comprehensive health and welfare plans and a 401K plan with an exceptional company match. We provide employee recognition programs, tuition reimbursement and much more. When you join our team, you are part of our NPAA family. We hold several events throughout the year for our employees to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Come join a great team!

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads NPAA 5S initiative
• Leads cross-functional projects designed to analyze and design sequence of operations and workflows
• Conducts studies pertaining to cost control, cost reduction, inventory control, and production record systems
• Develop and implement plans and programs for revisions to operating methods
• Interfaces with other departments to identify improvement opportunities to drive high quality and efficient processes
• Facilitate Kaizen events to drive continuous improvement in all areas of the business
• Participate on multiple projects and apply continuous improvement techniques leveraging Six Sigma and Lean methodologies to solve problems and build new capabilities
• Tracks Monthly customer scorecard and implements improvement activity
• Trends, monitors, and improves the major areas of the quality system such as change control, customer feedback and complaints, investigations, deviations, and on-time delivery
• Share best practices from Nippon group companies and industry standards
• Document before and after CI process improvement conditions
• Maintain up to date documentation logs on all CI projects in process and completed projects

POSITION QUALIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field preferred or equivalent working experience
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in a manufacturing environment
• Working Knowledge of IATF16949 and/or ISO9001 standards
• Must have proven success in project management and ability to implement business process improvements affecting multiple departments.
• Strong planning and organization skills
• Capability to be flexible in a dynamic environment
• Successful leadership track record
• Excellent analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills
• A highly motivated self-starter that can work with minimal supervision
• Desirable: Training and certification in process improvement techniques, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.