Lean Continuous Improvement Specialist

Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooper Standard, a leading automotive supplier, seeks an Industrial Engineer to lead improvement projects, optimize layout and processes, and drive cost reductions across the plant. You will perform time studies, line balancing, and capacity analyses while engaging management and cross-functional teams to meet takt time and financial goals.

The role requires engineering education, problem-solving ability, and fluency in English, with knowledge of Lean techniques and SAP/AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required, with 1–4 years related experience preferably in manufacturing.
• Fluent English spoken and written.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct kaizen events using CI/IE methodologies to analyze workforce utilization and layout for maximum efficiency.
• Ensure processes meet takt time, customer expectations, standards and financial targets.
• Create and update capacity studies per customer requirements.
• Calculate cycle time, work content, staffing requirements and costs for manufacturing cells.
• Manage SAP to create and modify labeling processes across the plant.
• Develop CI initiatives to reduce inventory, WIP, and material costs without impacting delivery.
• Analyze plant margin and operational/financial efficiency; identify improvement actions.
• Support lean principles across the plant and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead projects from initiation to closing, engaging diverse stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

SAP

AutoCAD

Covisint

Job description

Cooper Standard, a leading automotive supplier, seeks an Industrial Engineer to lead improvement projects, optimize layout and processes, and drive cost reductions across the plant. You will perform time studies, line balancing, and capacity analyses while engaging management and cross-functional teams to meet takt time and financial goals.

The role requires engineering education, problem-solving ability, and fluency in English, with knowledge of Lean techniques and SAP/AutoCAD.