CI & Automation Specialist

Continuous Improvement & Automation Specialist

Location: Spring Lake, MI
Department: Demand Planning & Inventory Management
Reports To: Senior Manager, Demand Planning & Inventory Management

EQI is seeking a motivated and innovative Continuous Improvement & Automation Specialist to help drive operational excellence across our Demand Planning, Inventory Management, and Customer Order Management functions.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology to make work easier and more efficient. You will work closely with business teams to identify inefficiencies, automate repetitive tasks, improve system utilization, and introduce AI-powered solutions that enhance productivity and decision-making.

The successful candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, excellent technical skills, and a passion for continuous improvement and emerging technologies.

• Analyze business processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Document current-state and future-state processes.
• Support Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Assist with root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Help standardize and simplify business processes across departments.

• Coach/mentor/train team members to optimize and upskill.

• Develop automation solutions to reduce manual effort and repetitive tasks.
• Create tools and workflows that improve productivity and data accuracy.
• Support implementation of workflow automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify and prioritize automation opportunities.

• Support continuous improvement of ERP and MRP business processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve data quality, reporting, and system utilization.
• Participate in testing and implementation of system enhancements and new functionality.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolving process-related system issues.

• Leverage tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and other AI technologies to improve business processes.
• Develop AI prompts, templates, and best practices for business users.
• Research emerging technologies and identify opportunities for implementation.
• Support AI adoption and user training initiatives across the department.

• Build and maintain reports, dashboards, and analytical tools.
• Analyze operational performance data and identify trends and opportunities.
• Support KPI reporting and process performance measurement.
• Develop business insights that support data-driven decision making.

• College diploma or university degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in business analysis, supply chain, operations, process improvement, or a similar role.
• Experience working with ERP systems and business data.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Experience with Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT, or similar AI tools.
• Experience with Power BI, Power Query, or Power Automate.
• Experience with lean tools such as value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, one-piece flow, & Kanban.
• Project management skills to execute strategy CI, Lean plan utilizing and other methodologies.
• Basic knowledge of SQL, Python, or other data tools.

• Experience with Net Suite, Epicor or other ERP/MRP systems.

• Demand planning, purchasing, supply chain experience

• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Analytical Thinking
• Process Mapping and Documentation
• Technical Curiosity
• Innovation and Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Adaptability and Learning Agility