Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist

Silfex, a Lam Research Company; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Silfex, a Lam Research Company, is seeking a Lean/Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive a culture of Lean management across all levels of the organization. The role involves facilitating Lean events, training employees, and supporting data-driven decision-making aimed at optimizing performance.

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of relevant experience or 3 years with a Master's degree, strong communication skills, and a proven ability to influence others without direct authority. This position supports a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience with a Bachelor's, or 3 years with a Master's.
• High energy and assertiveness in managing processes and projects.
• Strong skills in influencing without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates Lean and CI change management throughout the organization.
• Supports data collection and analysis for performance objectives.
• Executes training on Lean Core Criteria to cross-functional employees.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Data analysis

Verbal communication

Written communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Lean Six Sigma certification

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports Lean/CI change management culture to all levels (office and shop floor) of the organization through value stream mapping activity, lean events, and lean training.
• Supports data collection and data analysis activities to ensure performance objectives are achieved in the areas of waste reduction, profitability, quality, and safety.
• Supports, co‑facilitates, or facilitates Kaizen Events, CI Projects, Just‑Do‑It’s, and Wins of the Week; documents roadblocks for the escalation process.
• Executes training of Lean ‘Core Criteria’ to cross‑functional employees – including, but not limited to: Value‑Add/NVA, 8 wastes, 5S, Visual Management, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Problem‑Solving, Leader Standard Work, and Constraint Management.
• Promotes Theory of Constraints and lean transformation topics and helps make decisions that support the needs of the business.
• Promotes the use of time observation sheets and standard work combination sheets.
• Investigates employee suggestions for feasibility activities toward implementation as needed.
• Influences upward, across, and down with or without direct lines of authority to take charge.
• Completes tasks within defined procedures, seeking out new assignments.
• Is an effective change agent on matters that affect a department and organization.
• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.
• Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results, creating formal networks involving coordination amongst groups.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 3 years of experience with a Master’s degree.
• High energy and assertiveness to manage basic intermediate processes and projects, work under tight time constraints, and effectively work in a matrixed environment.
• High level of confidence in influencing people with no direct authority relationship.
• Ability to inspire and influence without authority and to challenge the status quo.
• Strong verbal communication skills, communicating roadblocks in a timely manner.
• Strong written communication skills delivering lean event report‑outs and training slides.
• Strong collaboration skills supporting peers, team leads, and managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or Business Management.
• Professional certification(s) in Lean / Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience in a fast‑paced and dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Experience in semiconductor fabrication or other high‑tech industry.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds; regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles.
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Noise level in the environment is moderate.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Silfex Inc., A Lam Research Company ('Silfex' or the 'Company'), is an equal opportunity employer. Silfex is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non‑discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.