Continuous Improvement Specialist

Position Summary

The Operations Continuous Improvement Specialist will be responsible for driving process improvements within the PSG Grand Rapids – Blackmer organization. The scope is a balance of detailed manufacturing continuous improvement initiatives, optimization of the interaction between Supply Chain and Production, as well as striving for enterprise-wide cross-functional synchronization that enables the organization to achieve year-over-year productivity and successful customer outcomes.

• Execute for the production team by driving the identification of improvement opportunities, mobilizing action plans to capitalize on opportunities, and implementing robust control plans to ensure complete and permanent realization of targeted savings.
• Provide leadership in identifying, planning, executing, and tracking labor productivity initiatives.
• Serve as a change agent across the leadership team by seeking, sharing, and implementing methods, tools, sustainable global systems, and best practices.
• Utilize lean management and continuous improvement techniques (like Value Stream Mapping) to establish a baseline understanding of current processes and create future state plans that eliminate waste while optimally balancing cost and service level factors.
• Facilitate the universal implementation of locally driven process improvement activities to enable business-wide process consistency and achieve maximum business benefits from productivity initiatives.
• Advise, counsel, and collaborate with each functional leader in solving issues that impact inventory, workflow, capacity, quality, and other operational indicators.
• Analyze data for trends and conclude to ensure efforts are focused on the highest-impact and lowest-effort solutions, while utilizing precise business data to measure the tangible impact of improvement efforts implemented.
• Train, coach, and develop Continuous Improvement champions, as well as other operational staff, to become process improvement practitioners and leaders. Train others to enhance their problem-solving skills using tools such as Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Actions, 5 Whys, and Fishbone Diagrams.
• Lean implementation and training of 5S across the value streams. Collaborate with teams to develop a visual management plan that ensures the value stream can sustain any progress made.
• Implement employee improvement ideas.
• Manage the production tool kanban.
• Recognize the “7 Deadly Wastes” and how to eliminate them from our daily work routines.
• Support activities in all areas of the plant, including safety, quality, and production.

• Results Driven
• Cross-functional leadership skills
• Ability to self-motivate and stay on task without direct supervision
• Strategic Mindset
• Good oral/written communication and interpersonal skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Three (3) years of hands-on experience in an OEM product operations organization (manufacturing, assembly, supply chain).
• In-depth practical knowledge of Kaizen and/or Lean methodologies, tools, and practices, including visual controls, standard work, performance metrics, work center metrics, and continuous improvement processes, with a demonstrated ability to instruct others in these areas.
• Ability to coach and assist participants in improvement activities
• Experience in project management, policy deployment, and digital metrics (e.g., benefits identification, reporting, and progress tracking).
• Experience in data analysis with strong computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, TPS, etc.) or equivalent dedicated process improvement expertise preferred.

We consider several job-related, non-discriminatory factors when determining the pay rate for a position, including, but not limited to, the position’s responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, a candidate’s education/training, the position’s location, and the key skills needed for the position. Pay is one of the Total Rewards that we provide to compensate and…