Lean Manager

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Onsite position based at our location in Gastonia, NC. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

• Supports plant management in setting up the roadmap for the plant in line with global/regional strategy and sets up the LEAN roadmap in line with plant strategy.
• Is accountable for the respect of deadlines and ensures the achievement of defined targets set in the LEAN roadmap.
• Leads target plant layout and value stream design process aiming at optimal space usage, improving material flow and reducing throughput time (focus: TOP product families in the location).
• Develops LEAN experts and a general LEAN mindset within the plant.
• Steers training and development needs in the plant linked to MANN+HUMMEL Production system (MHPS).
• Acts as methodological supervisor of all improvement activities aiming at the reduction of waste.
• Coordinates and facilitates workshops (Kaizen / Hoshin / VSM / 5S / SMED / Layout).
• Promotes autonomy by training the actors to workshop conduction.
• In source of proposals onto concepts aiming at improving production and logistics efficiency.
• Reports to the plant manager and regional management on progress (indicators / measurables).
• Ensures implementation of MHPS in the plant.
• Acts as Cross Assessor for MHPS assessment in other plants.
• Ensures implementation of group best practices related to LEAN.
• Works with managers in the plant to implement 5S on the plant / shop floor.
• Development of pull flow – delivery in Kanban, milk‑run, supermarkets, batch building box, and Heijunka where applicable.
• VSA / VSM (eVSM) and VSD to define target states on value streams in the plant.
• TPM.
• SMED.
  • Review / optimise SMED on a regular basis following latest MHPS guidance (training, principles, best practices).
  • Ensure SMED tracking is done by production following the SMED corner / dashboard / templates provided by the LEAN Manager as per MHPS defined.
• Support implementation of production planning and production control tools.
• Support implementation of logistics, quality, employee empowerment (e.g. idea management) practices.
• Ensures coherence of the local methodology with group expectations.
• Secures capitalization of the know‑how.
• In close cooperation with the MMS team, takes part in writing procedures linked to continuous improvement and ensures local implementation.
• Coaches managers in the field on the right implementation of group standards.
• Secures LEAN reporting to the group.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a similar field.

• 5+ years minimum experience within continuous improvement / LEAN management within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Previous team leadership experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Project management experience.

• Expert knowledge of LEAN tools (5S, Kanban, SMED …).
• Excellent English written, verbal, presentation skills.
• Skilled with Microsoft Office tools (especially Visio and Excel).
• Hands‑on knowledge / experience with SAP.
• Available to travel up to 20% (primarily local / domestic U.S.).

• Familiar with required production processes (e.g., pleating, plastic injection molding, plastic welding, assembly).
• Six Sigma training. Six Sigma Blackbelt strongly preferred.
• Previous experience as a LEAN Manager within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Working experience in a similar function within the automotive industry.
• German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Management and Manufacturing

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