Continuous Improvement Manager

About Akzo Nobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life.

Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

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Job Purpose

The Continuous Improvement Manager II (CIM) role is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement (CI) and Subject Matter Expert in methodologies/activities (Lean, Six Sigman, ALPS) across all areas of multiple sites or large site with a strong focus on manufacturing and operations. The CI manager will direct the work and manage the process engineers, project engineers, CI Specialist, and trainer.

Define, prepare waste and loss analysis to coach and execute projects, in line with business needs and project (DMAIC/PDCA) and team management methods and techniques, in order to deliver projects according to objectives. Train, coach, support, Lead Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners, Practitioners and Sponsors. Train; develop Site Leaders in the CI Curriculum and in use/execution of Lean Tools, Process Confirmation, Gemba Walks, Coaching the coach, and Root Cause Analysis.

Key Respnsibilities

• Direct the work and manage the process engineers, project engineers, CI Specialist, and trainer

• Delivers projects (DMAIC) and products within the appropriate timeframe, budget, and defined project standards and objectives

• Measured on project team engagement, development, and enablement

• Handles all monthly T4 Reports (ALPS, CI Project status, etc.)

• Ensures high quality and easy accessibility of CIM network (relations management)

• Measured on number of trained Lead Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners, Practitioners, and Sponsors

• Manages the CI Specialist

• Responsible for deployment of key Lean philosophies like A3 and Hoshin

• Develops data driven projects utilizing tools like VSM, Ishikawa, SPC, Heijunka, SIPOC Diagram, boxplot and FMEA

• Perform Hazard Studies (PHAPro proficiency)

Key Activities

• Project Initiation (Improvement Projects) :
Identify and analyze movement needs in a strong relation with the Site Director, stakeholders, and linkages to other project scope and objectives with Sponsor.
o Project scope and objectives must be clear, attainable, and approved by the Sponsor.

• Project Plan :
Formulate the project plan, determine the budget and required resources, clarify role and involvement level of team members and acquire approval from Sponsor.
o Project plan, budget and required resources must be approved, clearly understood and direct project activities.

• Project Execution :
Coach and coordinate with project leads to monitor and drive project activities, toll gate reviews, manage project risks, issues, changes and resources and take corrective actions when necessary.
o Timely delivery of milestones

• Project Delivery & Closure :
Evaluate and close project, identify and analyze lessons learned, archive project documents and hand over project to process owner and/or line manager.
o Completion of project objectives, realization of…