Business System Specialist

Job Description

Position Summary

The Business System Specialist (Value Added Improvement) leads the design, deployment, and sustainment of CMS Cooling, LLC’s business, the operating framework that drives how we run the plant. Reporting to the CFO, this role connects shop-floor performance to financial results by identifying waste, standardizing work, and building the metrics, routines, and problem-solving habits that turn improvement into measurable savings, quality, safety, and delivery gains.

This is a hands-on role. You will spend meaningful time on the plant floor coaching teams and validating results, and the rest of your time analyzing data, supporting projects, and reporting progress to leadership. The position follows a hybrid schedule, with in-plant presence required for “Gemba Walks,” events, and production support.

• Develop, document, and maintain the VAI Business System, Net Suite ERP/MRP, including standards, tools, playbooks, and training materials.
• Translate company strategy and financial goals into plant-level objectives, KPIs, and daily management routines.
• Establish tiered accountability processes, such as daily huddles, performance boards, and weekly and monthly operational reviews.
• Partner with plant leadership to embed the system into daily operations so it becomes how work gets done, not an add‑on.

• Identify and eliminate the eight wastes using lean tools such as value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, SMED, Kanban, and visual management.
• Plan and facilitate kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, and root cause problem‑solving (A3, 5 Why, Fishbone, PDCA/DMAIC).
• Lead and support cross‑functional improvement projects in production, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and engineering.
• Improve throughput, changeover performance, first‑pass yield, OEE, and on‑time delivery.

• Work directly with the CFO and finance team to quantify and validate the financial impact of improvement projects (cost avoidance, hard savings, working capital, labor and material efficiency).
• Build and maintain a project pipeline, with clear baselines and verified results.
• Develop dashboards and reports that give leadership a clear, accurate view of plant performance and improvement progress.

• Train and coach operators, supervisors, and managers in lean principles and VAI methods.
• Build employee engagement through suggestion programs, recognition, and visible results.
• Serve as a change agent, building trust with the workforce and encouraging a culture of ownership and respect for people.

• Integrate safety and quality into every improvement effort, and support OSHA‑aligned practices.
• Support quality management system activities, audits, and corrective and preventive actions as needed.
• Follow all plant safety rules and wear required PPE when working in production areas.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Industrial Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment with direct responsibility for continuous improvement, lean, or operational excellence.
• Demonstrated success leading kaizen events and delivering measurable, sustained improvements.
• Working knowledge of lean and Six Sigma tools and methods.
• Strong analytical skills, with proficiency in Excel and Net Suite and comfort building or interpreting dashboards and financial impact analysis.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels from…