Continuous Improvement Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitates Continuous Improvement projects, cost reductions, and process performance improvements
• Provides CI training and coaching at all levels of the plant
• Interfaces with plant engineering on projects addressing staffing, manpower, time and capacity analysis

• Maintains CI implementation schedules for assigned projects, progress updates as required, and provides documentation that demonstrates the direct link between the CI process implementation and Plant Operations improvements
• Participates in teams aimed at the resolution of quality issues and concerns
• Supports production control, material control, material planning departments in improvement projects relating to scheduling, inventory management and raw material flow and tracking
• Supports prototype and pilot runs to address design and process feasibility concerns
• Generates, provides and participates in department specific training needs
• Calculates cost reductions and determines the optimal problem-solving method
• Teams with the Plant Controller to document savings and profit results of continuous improvement activities
• Accountable for tracking all CI Projects and reporting progress to plant staff
• Completes time studies to develop production standards for products
• Assists in monitoring department equipment (OEE) and interface with Maintenance department to identify maintenance, repair and TPM
• Works with process owner to develop value stream maps for each process and each value stream family within the facility
• Utilizes the concepts of continuous improvement and cost reduction in the execution of the job function
• Other duties as assigned

• Must have a strong work ethic
• Must be well organized and a self-starter
• Must be able to follow detailed instructions
• Must have the ability to identify and solve problems and make logical decisions
• Must be able to work with precision and a high level of accuracy
• Detail oriented, professional attitude, reliable and able to focus on task at hand
• Possess strong time management skills
• Ability to understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings
• Working knowledge of gages such as dial calipers, micrometers, indicators, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to interact with employees in a professional manner
• Ability to speak and write English fluently
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness
• Ability to perform mathematical computations such as percentages, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division quickly and accurately
• 3+ years of experience in Operations/Engineering
• Experience in identifying areas of improvement
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement or Process Improvement
• Working towards Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Strong understanding of contemporary problem-solving tools and techniques
• Ability to think creatively and proactively propose solutions with an attention to detail
• Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database management software
• Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and drive change management across teams
• Ability to build effective working relationships throughout the organization
• Ability to operate independently within a tight deadline environment
• Serves as change agent and key mentor/improvement coach for Team Leaders
• High-energy self-starter with a resilient, can-do attitude
• Experience in teaching continuous improvement thinking, by both leading and coaching others to lead Kaizen events daily is a plus
• Experience in coordinating and assisting in Kaizen and problem-solving teams in the definition of continuous improvement or problem-solving project planning concerning scope, time, quality, budget, milestones, allocation of resources, etc. considered a plus

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

This position requires manual dexterity to properly and safely manipulate tools and controls. This position requires frequent walking and standing; occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.