Continuous Improvement Specialist at Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. in NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio

Job Description:

Position Summary:

Accountable for implementation of Lean Manufacturing techniques throughout the plant. Foster a change in culture to continuous improvement of processes and capabilities of people and equipment. Schedules and facilitates Kaizen Events. Evaluates and performs time studies, administers cost reduction programs, helps define standard work practices, performs plant labor quoting and perform plant labor quoting, labor balancing, and material flow and manages inner projects. Must meet plant lean objectives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Facilitates Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing projects aimed at generating Lean/CI techniques, cost reductions, and process performance improvements


• Maintain Lean/CI implementation schedules for assigned projects, progress updates as required, and most importantly, provide documentation that demonstrates the direct link between Lean/CI implementation and direct process improvement and Plant Operations


• Provide Lean/CI training and coaching at all levels of the Plant


• Assists Managers and individual Lean/Continuous Improvement Initiatives


• Participate on and lead teams aimed at the resolution of quality issues and concerns


• Support production control, material control, material planning departments in improvement projects relating to scheduling inventory management and raw material flow and tracking


• Coordinate prototype and pilot runs to address design and process feasibility concerns from a departmental aspect


• Interface with plant engineering on projects addressing staffing, manpower, time and capacity issues


• Generate, provide and participate in department specific training issues


• Calculate cost reductions and/or various analyses to determine optimal method


• Team with the Plant Controller to document savings and profit results of continuous improvement activities


• Accountable for tracking all lean, CI Projects, and reporting progress out to plant staff


• Complete time studies to develop production standards for products


• Assist in monitoring department equipment (OEE) and interface with Maintenance department


• Identify maintenance, repair, PM needs and TPM


• Develops value stream map for each process and each value stream family within the facility


• Participates in training as required


• Ensures Housekeeping and Health & Safety Standard are maintained


• Complies with policies and procedures pertaining to facility or divisional adopted standards such as TS 16949 and ISO 14001


• Utilizes the concepts of continuous improvement and cost reduction in the execution of the job function


• May, on occasion, be required to perform duties other than those specified in this description

Education and Qualifications:

• Four-year degree from an accredited college or university in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or related field preferred


• Two to three years experience in a lean manufacturing environment with a record of proven accomplishments


• Candidate must have experience in identifying areas of improvement, planning for and leading Kaizen events


• Experience in SPC, SMED, design of experiments, KANBAN, and 6-Sigma implementation is a plus


• Experience in a high volume automotive manufacturing environment


• Experience working with all levels of management


• Willingness and ability to travel, as necessary

Work Environment/Work Conditions:

• Professional Office Environment


• Must wear proper personal protection equipment while on manufacturing floor


• Travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations when required


• Equipment used requires proper training on the potential for and avoidance of injury

Cooper Standard is proud of its diverse workforce and committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, age, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to creating an environment at work that not only values diversity but also encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. We firmly believe that a diverse workplace fosters an environment where our employees can flourish and provide superior service to our customers.

Because we recognize and value the range of ways in which people acquire experiences, whether via personal, professional, education, or volunteerism, we invite interested applicants to evaluate the key duties and requirements and apply for any opportunities that fit your experience and qualifications.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as certain state and/or local laws. If you believe you require such assistance to complete our online application or to participate in an interview, you (or someone on your behalf) may request assistance by emailing recruitment@cooperstandard.com with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.

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