Plant Lean Technical Specialist

1040 Silent-Aire USA, Inc.; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Johnson Controls is seeking a Lean Technical Specialist to lead Lean transformation across manufacturing operations. You will facilitate Kaizen events, conduct value stream mapping, perform structured problem solving, and guide prototyping efforts to ensure Lean design intent and safety.

The role requires 3–7 years in Lean manufacturing, strong analytics, and the ability to coach cross-functional teams. A comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation accompany this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, industrial technology, or related field.
• 3–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean tools: VSM, Kaizen facilitation, SMED, 5S, standard work, takt time, flow, pull systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation activities and facilitate structured improvement processes across manufacturing.
• Drive Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and problem solving using Lean methodologies (A3, PDCA, root cause analysis).
• Provide technical direction to ensure Lean design intent, ergonomics, and safety in prototypes and processes.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and leadership to embed Lean into daily management systems.
• Support capital projects and new product/process introductions with Lean principles.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Industrial engineering

Value Stream Mapping

Kaizen facilitation

SMED

5S

Standard work

Takt time

Flow

A3 & PDCA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations/Industrial Technology

Job description

Lean Technical Specialist

About Us

Silent-Aire, a division of Johnson Controls, is a global leader in owner equipment manufacturing (OEM) dedicated to providing custom solutions for data center customers. Our product line includes large-scale equipment such as air handling units and modular data centers. We pride ourselves on innovation, quality, and delivering tailored solutions to meet our clients' unique needs.

What you will do

The Lean Technical Specialist is a subject‑matter expert responsible for leading Lean transformation activities, facilitating structured improvement processes, and providing technical guidance across manufacturing operations. This role leads Kaizen events, conducts value stream mapping, drives problem solving, and directs the moonshine prototyping function to ensure improvements are implemented effectively and sustainably.

How you will do it

• Support Lean events, including Kaizen workshops, SMED, 5S, standard work development, and flow creation.
• Participate and lead Value Stream Mapping and develop actionable future‑state implementation plans.
• Drive structured problem solving using A3, PDCA, root cause analysis, and other Lean methodologies.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and leadership to embed Lean principles into daily management systems.
• Provide technical direction to the Moonshiner, ensuring prototypes support Lean design intent, ergonomics, and safety.
• Support 3P (Production Preparation Process) activities, including concept development, layout optimization, and process simulation.
• Develop and maintain Lean standards, visual management systems, and performance metrics.
• Coach and mentor employees at all levels to build organizational Lean capability.
• Analyze operational data to identify improvement opportunities and track results.
• Support capital projects and new product/process introductions with Lean design principles.

What we look for

• Required Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean tools: VSM, Kaizen facilitation, SMED, 5S, standard work, takt time, flow, pull systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with experience using A3 or similar methodologies.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence without authority.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills.
• Experience working in a high‑mix, fast‑paced manufacturing environment is an asset.
• Green Belt Certified preferred.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

$60,000 - $80,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile.

Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law.

If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.

Company Culture

Johnson Controls: Enhancing the Intelligence of Buildings. Your buildings have a purpose. They are places for people to live or work. Facilities for learning or healing. Venues for entertainment and shopping. Sites for the specialized storage of tangible goods or mission‑critical data. Your buildings have a huge variety of functions; they are central to your mission. This is where Johnson Controls comes in, helping drive the outcomes that matter most. Through a full range of systems and digital solutions, we make your buildings smarter. A smarter building is safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and, ultimately, more sustainable. Most important, smarter buildings let you focus more intensely on your unique mission. Better for your people. Better for your bottom line. Better for the planet. At Johnson Controls, we’ve been making buildings smarter since 1885, and our capabilities, depth of innovation experience, and global reach have been growing ever since. Today, we offer the world’s largest portfolio of building products, technologies, software, and services; we put that portfolio to work to transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play.