Lean Coordinator

Valmont Industries; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401k with company match

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Work Life Support

Job summary

Valmont Industries in Elkhart, IN is seeking a Lean Coordinator to drive continuous improvement across operations. You will coach and lead Lean events, coordinate activities across teams, and partner with Engineering to optimize processes and capacity.

The role emphasizes data-driven improvements and training across operations. The candidate should have a Lean mindset with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, and be able to travel domestically up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in a relevant field or Associates with 3+ years lean experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of Lean principles and methodology.
• Motivate, develop and direct people without direct authority.
• Strong leadership, problem solving, planning and attention to detail.
• Able to manage daily workload without supervision and travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and coach Lean events, coordinate Lean activities, act as liaison between teams and management.
• Support Lean metrics, develop visual boards, and communicate data to teams.
• Prepare and deliver weekly/monthly updates to Leadership on progress via data-driven improvements.
• Partner with Engineering to understand processes, machine requirements, and capacity.
• Lead Kaizen events and 5S activities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and performance.
• Provide Lean training to stakeholders in operations and management.
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities with site leadership.
• Help develop and sustain a Continuous Improvement Culture.

Skills

Lean principles

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

MS Office

Facilitate Lean events

Data analysis

Time management

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree or Associate degree

Lean Certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Visio

PowerPoint

Access

SharePoint

Job description

3403 Charlotte Ave Elkhart Indiana 46517-1150

Why Valmont

We’re Here to Move the World Forward. Valmont impacts millions of people around the world every day, yet they might not realize the many ways. Our technology is helping feed the growing population, supplying the world with more reliable energy and access to renewables, enhancing connectivity in remote and urban locations to create a sustainable future and so much more. Simply put, Valmont is advancing agricultural productivity and reimagining vital infrastructure to make life better. Join a Fortune 1000 company that respects hard work, honors diversity and invests in our employees as we focus on creating the world of tomorrow, today. We are the modern workforce. Are you ready to move the world forward?

Essential Functions:

• Facilitate and coach Lean events, coordinate Lean activities, act as a liaison between teams, support groups, management, and other functional areas, removing obstacles that may affect team performance
• Support Lean-related metrics and measures, help develop visual boards, and communicate data to relevant team members
• Prepare and deliver weekly/monthly updates to the Leadership team on progress made through data-driven improvements
• Partner with Engineering teams to understand processes, machine requirements, standard metrics and capacity capabilities
• Establish credibility as a knowledgeable resource to assist in driving continuous improvement through trusted and respectful changes
• Provide Lean training to all stakeholders in operations and management teams
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities with site leadership to develop event funnel
• Help develop and sustain a Continuous Improvement Culture
• This position reports into the Plant Manager Plan, coordinate, and lead Kaizen events and 5S activities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and overall operational performance.

Other Important Details about the Role:

Judgment and decision-making skills while comparing relative cost and benefit potential

Help identify employee / distribution center training needs

Facilitate discussions with the intent of reaching consensus

The ability to organize and manage multiple, simultaneous priorities and meet aggressive deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Knowledge of the material, costs, techniques and processes used within the manufacturing industry

Required Qualifications of Every Candidate (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

• Bachelors in relevant field or Associates Degree with 3+ years of experience or 5+ years of relevant lean experience
• A demonstrated understanding of Lean principles and methodology
• The ability to motivate, develop and direct people without having authority over them
• Strong leadership, problem solving, planning skills and attention to detail with accuracy
• Schedule daily workload without supervision or direction
• Excellent communication skills (written and presentation) to effectively communicate with all levels of the workforce and management
• Ability to travel domestically up to 25% on an annual basis
• A working knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Six Sigma Methodology
• Lean Certification
• A solid understanding of the Shingo Methodology
• Previous operations or engineering experience, in a manufacturing setting
• Proven facilitation/coaching skills of Improvement events, Standard Work events, SMED events, Root cause problem solving, manufacturing and administrative value stream improvement projects
• Demonstrated commitment to learning through Lean readings and available training and educational opportunities
• A working knowledge in advanced Microsoft applications such as Visio, PowerPoint, Access, and SharePoint

Working Environment and Physical Efforts:

The incumbent is exposed to hazards that may exist within manufacturing and shipping areas. Some hazards are chemical vapors, smoke, dust, frozen water, and noise over 80 decibels. Although some of the work can be performed in an office setting; most on the shift will be spent moving around different areas of the manufacturing plant. The incumbent must be able to work in and follow the safety rules of all areas of the facility, including the use of personal protective equipment where required. This equipment includes metatarsal safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection and safety vests. This position may require domestic travel as needed to other company facilities and offsite locations to support the Lean initiative. The incumbent needs to lift parts and inspect equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. The incumbent is required to move throughout the plant to various events and activities. There are areas of the plant that cannot be accessed by elevator and the Lean Coordinator needs to be able to access these areas by stairs. This position may require standing and moving around the site for up to 80% of the shift. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type. Reaching hands and arms above shoulder height while working in the office or distribution centers may be required. The Lean Coordinator needs to drive around the plant and to Lean events. Due to the visual requirements of this position, employee must demonstrate acceptable vision by passing the driver’s license eye test for either the state of Nebraska or the state of Iowa. If employee does not have a valid license from either of these states, the determination of acceptable vision will be made by the Safety Department on an individual basis.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you have a disability and require any assistance in filling out the application for employment email [e-mail].

Valmont is here to modernize vital infrastructure and increase agricultural productivity, sustainably and reliably. We galvanize steel to last a century with minimal environmental impact. We modernize irrigation to feed a growing population by utilizing the latest technology. We harden the electrical grid to enable the delivery of reliable power to millions of homes around the world. And we help make communities everywhere safer, cleaner and more connected through our smart infrastructure technology. Valmont serves two primary markets - agriculture and infrastructure - and seven diverse product lines: Utility, Lighting and Transportation, Telecom, Solar, Coatings, Irrigation and Ag Tech. We manufacture products in 85 facilities spread across six continents, and we do business in 100 different countries. That’s what Valmont does. We conserve resources and improve life, finding ways to make innovation and technology beneficial in the real world. + That’s the value we add.