Manager, Continuous Improvement

Knauf Insulation, Inc.; Albion Township (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Virtual care

Fertility benefits

401(k) match

Parental leave

Family leave

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Tuition reimbursement

EAP

Job summary

Knauf Insulation North America is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead the plant's CI efforts, champion CI principles, and coach plant teams toward safer, higher quality, more productive operations.

You will own the annual CI plan, run workshops, manage training, and drive Lean Six Sigma, 5S and root cause analysis to deliver measurable improvements and sustain gains. We offer growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology or related field.
• Black or Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred.
• Minimum of five years' leadership or engineering experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Minimum two years' Continuous Improvement/Lean Six Sigma experience.
• Knowledge of CI tools, methodologies and practices; 5S activities and audits.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis and statistical data.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual CI plan. Work with plant leadership to develop and publish it. Track progress and update as required.
• Facilitate the plant CI Steering Committee to manage and improve the plant CI program.
• Lead regular improvement workshops and CI training.
• Establish and update a plant CI training plan and teach in classroom and shop floor.
• Cultivate CI culture with leader standard work, visual controls and accountability processes.
• Facilitate use of root cause analysis, lean six sigma, A3 problem solving and other tools.
• Visually track results and publicize them.
• Be an advocate for KI values and behaviors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

CI tools

5S

Root cause analysis

Statistics

Mechanics knowledge

SAP experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt

Tools

SAP

Job description

Knauf Insulation North America is the world's fastest-growing insulation manufacturer. We are wholly committed to the conservation of the environment while also sustainably developing and manufacturing a comprehensive line of acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, marine, OEM and metal building applications, using post-consumer recycled materials.

We welcome passionate and creative individuals who thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative and ever-changing environment.

Our benefits go beyond just providing coverage.

We’re committed to the whole you – your health, wealth, peace of mind, self and community.

Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision - starting on day one!
• Virtual Medical Services
• Fertility and adoption benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (earn 100% matching on your first 6% contribution and fully vested day one)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid Family Leave
• Company provided Salary Continuance (Short-term Disability)
• Company paid life insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Plus, more!

Growth opportunities are available!

About the Role:

The Continuous Improvement Specialist manages the plant's continuous improvement (CI) effort. (S)he is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement throughout the plant. The CI Specialist is a champion of CI principles, a practitioner of CI and related methodologies, and a coach and trainer to the plant leadership team, supervision, and all plant employees. Effective CI results in improved safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee morale.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual CI plan. Work with plant leadership to develop and publish it. Track progress and update as required.
• Facilitate the plant CI Steering Committee to manage and improve the plant CI program. Understand the Knauf CI Framework. Assess the plant CI maturity to the framework. Identify gaps and plan to improve. Facilitate improvement programs. Publish results. Sustain the improvements. Correct as necessary. Celebrate successes.
• Lead regular improvement workshops. Coordinate with plant leadership to identify areas for improvement, facilitate workshops, and involve everyone, improve systems, and effectively sustain the gains.Lead CI training.
• Establish, publish, maintain, and update a plant CI training plan. Facilitate teaching in both the classroom and shop floor environments. Serve as a role model for excellent instructional training and development of these capabilities in others.
• Understand, cultivate, and improve the plant CI culture. Using a process focus, facilitate the leadership team to establish/improve leader standard work, visual controls, and standard accountability processes. Ensure innovation programs are effective. Improve team problem solving. Involve everyone.
• Facilitate the use of advanced methodologies and tools, including root cause analysis, team problem solving, lean six sigma, A3 problem solving, and other applicable tools. Help the plant become more process and data driven.
• Visually Track results and publicize results.
• Be an advocate for and set an example of KI Values and Behaviors in all actions and duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Technology or related field
• Black or Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years' leadership or engineering experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
• Minimum two (2) years' Continuous Improvement/Lean Six Sigma experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of process/continuous improvement tools, methodologies and practices; knowledge of 5S activities and audits
• Knowledge of root cause analysis
• Knowledge of statistical data
• Technical knowledge of mechanics
• Working knowledge of SAP preferred

It is the policy of Knauf Insulation to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic prohibited by applicable law.