Continuous Improvement Specialist

Overview

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing a plant-wide team system to develop a culture of improving key performance indicators such as manufacturing OEE, product quality, waste reduction, energy conservation, safety, and operating costs. The CI Specialist will utilize Lean, and 5S methodologies, techniques, and tools to facilitate the transfer of such learning in the plant and develop and support continuous improvement activities consistent with business goals.

Focus is on conducting these activities in conjunction with other organizational functional leaders and management to solicit support for implementing continuous improvements to all processes. Direction, guidance, and support will be given from the upper management team.

• Develop a Lean/Six Sigma strategy for the plant to include specific goals, objectives, timetables, action plans, and key leader (hourly and salaried) enlistment strategies
• Train and mentor the leadership team and engineering staff in the principles, methods, and applications of the Lean process such that continuous improvement efforts are integrated into change management processes
• Coordinate plant level Lean/Six Sigma initiatives with Element Resource's continuous improvement initiatives to ensure optimum use of resources and minimize redundancies
• Daily plant walk-through and inspections to assist coordination with functional leaders, supervisors, and hourly associates in identifying improvement opportunities within the plant and develop justifications to substantiate predetermined potential cost savings to the plant.
• Conduct time and motion studies and/or utilize value stream mapping and process charting establish and validate production standards and to troubleshoot and streamline workflows
• Participate in training and development programs including all areas of environmental, health and safety issues, especially those dealing with proper handling of hazardous materials and hazardous waste
• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions, work procedures, standard operating practices, and directions without immediate supervision
• Have independent problem‑solving and decision‑making skills
• Other duties as assigned

• Strong verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Four‑year degree preferred (Engineering or Project Management discipline preferred)
• Furnace experience a plus.
• Environmental Controls experience a plus.
• Allen Bradley controls experience a plus.
• High aptitude for manufacturing facility maintenance and engineering.
• Strong decision‑making skills, ability to look at current and future needs of business as directly related to capital spending.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to dynamic situations.
• Demonstrated ability in logical and efficient problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Products (Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook, and Word) and AutoCAD.
• Experience with Toyota Production Systems, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma Certification a plus.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor…