Continuous Improvement Leader

Lead Director, Continuous improvement

Remote (travel required)/Columbus, Ohio , 43219

Status:   Full Time
Job Category:   Operations: Continuous Improvement
Relevant Work Experience:   10-15 years   

JOB SUMMARY

OTC is seeking a Lead Director, Continuous Improvement to develop, drive, and lead the continuous improvement team and expand the lean capabilities of everyone on the one OTC team.

This position implements and supports continuous improvement initiatives that bring about improvements which may include, but are not limited to safety, customer value proposition, quality, productivity, delivery, cycle, growth, margin expansion, and inventory.  The Lead Director, Continuous Improvement is also responsible for building the lean capabilities and pushing innovative boundaries to ensure that we are giving our customers excellent service that is based on improved efficiencies and simplicity across the segments. Ultimate team player who will figure out how to create value in any situation.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

This position will provide leadership and oversight of the Continuous Improvement team to accomplish the following essential functions:

• Lead and empower the Continuous Improvement team and provide necessary guidance to ensure goals are accomplished;
• Collaborate with leadership to develop a C.I. Roadmap – optimize to drive progress, eliminate waste and focus on short & long term strategies;
• Support the Segments and Value Stream teams in implementing lean transformation and daily management across the organization in a standardized way;
• Analyzes efficiency data to identify opportunities for improvements;
• Supports leadership in annual goal setting, cost savings targets, and aligning department staffing to support future business growth;
• Works with senior leadership to set strategic initiatives to drive growth, performance, profitability, strategy, staff development, and opportunity development;
• Plans process changes designed to improve efficiency;
• Able to clearly link financial results to operational performance drivers, generate alternatives and drive positive change;
• Support operations leadership to ensure OTC's Operations Methodology is applied in a way that supports business performance and true alignment of business goals and objectives across all segments;
• Maintains key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive process control, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency;
• Standardize best practices across segments to drive efficiency;
• Participates in Gemba walks, continuous improvement initiatives, standard work development /modification /adherence, flow, takt time attainment, and problem-solving abnormalities causing takt misses;
• Provides necessary training specific to Lean Transformation tools and methodology;
• Execute key activities as part of Lean Transformation and daily management including tasks such as; value stream analyses, cycle time analyses, waste identification, variation reduction, time studies, line balance improvements, work place analysis and improvement, create and implement standard work, and teach/coach line leaders;
• Support the launch of all activities needed to incorporate Lean Transformation and daily management into the Value Stream culture, including:
  • Assisting in identifying on-going training needs
  • Supporting communication of the direction of Lean Transformation and daily management initiatives to employees
  • Utilizing a change management model to drive the lean culture transformation for the Value Stream;
  • Ensure high levels of engagement for Rapid Improvement Events and Value Stream(s)
  • Drive OpEx culture change through coaching of employees and leaders to drive lean behaviors, and follow the principles and practices of OpEx
  • Track all changes/improvements made to provide Value Stream Leadership/Management the assurance that changes are effective and lasting;
  • Review new procedures/controls and appraising the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, and working with the Value Stream Coach, Site Leader, Department Managers and Supervisors to resolve any issues that might arise during implementation and/or maintenance phases;
  • Execute other tasks and projects, as required;
  • Comply with the company's policies and procedures including those related to EHS and ISO;
  • Up to 50% travel required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 8 - 15 years of related experience in the manufacturing or distribution industry.
• 6 + years of leadership experience capable of driving organizational change
• Experience with cost out methodologies and targets.
• Experience in continuous improvement (e.g. Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.)
• Strong knowledge in computers (MS Office).
• Technical skills, manufacturing processes, distribution process and / or materials knowledge.
• APICS CPIM Certification or equivalent experience preferred.
• Coach high-level leaders throughout the value stream, including sales, CX, engineering, product management and operations, and ensure transformation priorities are aligned to the top overall business needs and Operational Excellence thinking is utilized in solution approaches.
• Coach all processes through lean execution and behavior changes. Develop a highly effective Daily Management process. Provide coaching on basic lean fundamentals of one-piece flow, on demand, zero defects and standardized work. Deployed techniques such as basic problem solving, Kaizen and A3 thinking and tools including Kanban, Value stream mapping, visual management, pull, TPM, SMED and 5S.
• Coached and develop the full time OpEx change leaders and grew their OpEx knowledge and execution capabilities. Mentored the team to be true agents of change.  Improved their change management capabilities (tools and behaviors) and ensured rigor around conducting rapid improvement events.
• Demonstrated Financial acumen that provides cost estimates and capital expenditure justification as necessary, and accurately projected and tracked savings.
• Ensured compliance with standard processes and tools, supported the value stream team to develop and follow their personal standard work (leaders and associates) that yielded a culture of system, process, and behavior discipline that provided results using lean principles.
• Extensive Lean transformation experience and understanding of lean principles with a proven track record of changing culture and getting results.  Successfully led 100+ events over multiple value streams.
• Coach high-level leaders throughout the value stream, including sales, CX, engineering, product management and operations, and ensure transformation priorities are aligned to the top overall business needs and Operational Excellence thinking is utilized in solution approaches.
• Coach all processes through lean execution and behavior changes. Develop a highly effective Daily Management process. Provide coaching on basic lean fundamentals of one-piece flow, on demand, zero defects and standardized work. Deployed techniques such as basic problem solving, Kaizen and A3 thinking and tools including Kanban, Value stream mapping, visual management, pull, TPM, SMED and 5S.
• Coached and develop the full time OpEx change leaders and grew their OpEx knowledge and execution capabilities. Mentored the team to be true agents of change.  Improved their change management capabilities (tools and behaviors) and ensured rigor around conducting rapid improvement events.
• Demonstrated Financial acumen that provides cost estimates and capital expenditure justification as necessary, and accurately projected and tracked savings.
• Ensured compliance with standard processes and tools, supported the value stream team to develop and follow their personal standard work (leaders and associates) that yielded a culture of system, process, and behavior discipline that provided results using lean principles.
• Extensive Lean transformation experience and understanding of lean principles with a proven track record of changing culture and getting results.  Successfully led 100+ events over multiple value streams.