Lean Technician

Lean Technician

** Date:
** Jul 7, 2026

*
* Location:

** Newton, NC, US, 28658

** Company:
** Corning

Requisition Number: 76483

** The company built on breakthroughs. ​ *
* ** Join us.​ *
* Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible.  ​ 

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward. ​ 

​At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.​  

​Come break through with us. 

Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry.

This segment is classified into two main product groupings - carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

** Scope of Position:*
* Responsible for driving both foundational and transformational competencies within the Lean Organization and across the manufacturing plant. These competencies include but are not limited to Value Steam Mapping, Visual Management, Work Standardization, Gemba Engagement, Kanban, SMED, 5S, Pull Systems, etc. With these core competencies, this role will partner with Operations to improve plant performance in Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Morale, and Innovation.

The intent of this role is to decrease overall manufacturing cost, increase operational efficiencies, and drive waste from the production processes in conjunction with the strategy of the Lean Organization.

** Day to Day Responsibilities:*
* + Directly responsible for performing work in a safe manner and maintaining a safe work environment. This individual will be responsible for observing safe work practices and being proactive at reporting and fixing any unsafe conditions.

+ Continuously developing lean skills individually, as a part of the Lean Organization, and within the plant as a whole. This individual will work to become a trained lean facilitator, able to facilitate Kaizen events at the plant directly linked to both the foundational and transformational competencies.

+ Planning and facilitating 3-4 Kaizen events per year. This could include workshops focused on Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, SMED, 5S etc. with oversight and help from the Lean Organization. This individual will work it the Lean Supervisor and Operation for the follow-up after each event to ensure actions identified are being deployed across the site.

+ Tracking cost savings per each Kaizen event and working with the appropriate resources to quantify and ultimately realize lean cost savings. This will require partnership with both Engineering and Finance in order to complete.

+ Supporting the site's 5S program in conjunction with participation in routine Gemba performance audits with leadership.

+ Planning and implementing workplace flow/layout improvements in addition to analyzing new equipment installations, existing equipment movements, and equipment modifications in accordance with lean teachings and methodologies.

+ Being an active member of the ergonomics team in order to assist in assessments and provide lean feedback relative to workstation changes.

+ Identifying and deploying opportunities at the plant level and across the sister sites in partnership with the Lean Manufacturing Supervisor. Travel expected from this is less than 10% in order to facilitate best practice migration.

** Work Hours & Expectations:*
* + Typical work…