Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence

Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence: PG (commensurate with experience)

Position Summary
Provides deep subject matter expertise in applying LEAN principles to manufacturing/business processes, specifically pulp and paper manufacturing, chemical recovery, and tissue/towel machine operations. Serves as the technical LEAN coach for improvement across all sites during the critical launch phase, ensuring that LEAN tools are adapted appropriately for process industries where traditional discrete-manufacturing Lean approaches (e.g., one-piece flow, takt time) require modification.

This newly designed role helps realize the Lean Transformation implementation strategy and accelerate implementation company wide over the next 12-18 months, supporting key aspects of the transformation including communication and change management efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Develop LEAN application guides specific to continuous processes: paper machines, pulp digesters, chemical recovery systems, and associated processes

Adapt traditional LEAN tools (Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, SMED) for continuous process environments where changeovers, grade changes, and startup/shutdown sequences are the primary improvement targets
Lead kaizen events focused on machine efficiency (OEE), grade change optimization, broke/waste reduction, energy consumption, and chemical usage optimization
Provide coaching across Lean methodologies to drive rapid improvement and rapidly upskill the existing base of Lean practitioners
Coach Site CI Managers on the technical nuances of applying LEAN in continuous process environments
Develop standard work documentation for critical continuous process operations (machine starts, grade changes, shutdown procedures)
Partner with other LEAN Specialists/Coaches to ensure seamless value stream integration between continuous (paper making) and discrete (converting) operations
Transfer knowledge to site CI teams through structured coaching, documented methodologies, and co-facilitation of kaizen events
Support integration of LEAN with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) for paper machines and converting equipment

Required Skills and Knowledge
Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
10+ years of experience in continuous process manufacturing, with a minimum of 5 years in LEAN/CI roles within process industries
Strong knowledge of Lean methodology across the entire value stream from forest to customer, with the ability to lead, listen, learn, empower others, act with urgency, and deliver results

Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with demonstrated expertise in process industry applications preferred
Deep knowledge of paper manufacturing processes: pulping, paper making, chemical recovery, tissue/towel, and converting

Experience with OEE improvement, SMED for grade changes, and statistical process control in continuous environments

Travel Requirements

Willingness to travel extensively (60-80%) during the 2-year assignment

Competency
Safe and Well
Courageous
Humble
Self-aware
Development-minded
Inclusive and Collaborative
Team-oriented
Business Savvy
Customer Focused
Operationally Excellent