Continuous Improvement Manager at Ashland Inc. in Hopewell, Virginia

Job Description:

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious? Are you always solving? Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Continuous Improvement Manager to join our Specialty Ingredients G.P. business at our Hopewell, VA location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the Manufacturing function. This position will report to the plant manager.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as subject matter expert for CI Methodology, CI Tools and implementing APS to drive operational improvements.


• Become a business partner with operations and functional management to identify opportunities. Utilize systematic problem-solving (including Root Cause Analysis, Kaizens, Loss Analysis, and DMAIC methodology) to eradicate losses while focusing on People, Processes, and Data to obtain measurable and sustainable results.


• Work with plant teams on problem-solving to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.


• Facilitate training and development to build continuous improvement toolkits (i.e., process mapping, root cause analysis, etc.) and drive consistent methodologies across the network.


• Implement, support and coach site production system (APS), including Tier meetings, KPI development and tracking and standard work.


• Utilize the appropriate process improvement methodologies or statistical methods to solve operational problems, improve process capability and efficiency, and enhance product quality.


• Manage Site Improvement Projects through project plan development, results tracking, and leading and coaching site leaders through the project execution process.


• Actively participate in the CI network to identify, translate, and promote best practices that can be applied in the plant.


• Promote the transformation from a reactive organizational culture to one that is more preventative and predictable, utilizing data-driven decision-making, sustainable actions, and Continuous Improvement tools.


• Align to Ashland's key initiatives, competitive priorities, and accountabilities and ensure the linkage of continuous improvement efforts with these goals.

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• A bachelor's degree in: Engineering, Science, Business, Statistics, Computers, or related fields and/or related experience plus education.


• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is required: Six Sigma Black Belt is highly preferred.


• 5+ years of Continuous Improvement experience within manufacturing.


• Working knowledge of multiple operations disciplines (i.e., operations, quality systems, EHS&S, Lean/Six Sigma tools, etc.) amongst products, including experience applying or implementing lean manufacturing, kaizen methodology, and production systems.


• Must be a change agent with accomplishments focused on driving transformational change.


• Demonstrate experience in gathering and analyzing business data and key performance indicators for senior-level leadership teams.


• Strong working knowledge of data analysis and performance metrics using business management software (ex: SAP, ERP, CRM).

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Ability to inspire and generate enthusiasm for culture-changing improvements


• Ability to coach others to improve their problem-solving skills.


• Sound negotiating and people skills.


• Ability to lead and achieve improvements without direct or formal authority.


• Results-oriented with strong collaborative people skills.


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively in a matrix organization.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills.


• High emotional intelligence with respect to organizational change.

PHYSICAL / MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Individuals must be able to respond appropriately during site emergencies as directed by the Site Emergency Manager. Must be capable of evacuating the manufacturing process areas in a timely manner should an emergency arise. The candidate must also be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment if required to work or visit within the manufacturing process area. This may include hard hat, safety glasses, respirators, ear plugs, steel-toed shoes, or other equipment as required by the work performed and location the work is being done.

Candidate must also be able to 1) identify critical issues and formulate action plans with all levels of management, including Corporate, 2) develop and foster a positive work environment at all levels, and 3) resolve conflicts through problem-resolution skills.

Must be authorized to work in the US.

Third party recruiters and agencies ("Agency") should not contact employees of Ashland or its subsidiaries directly. Any resumes sent by an Agency to a hiring manager, recruiter or submitted to Ashland's career portal are considered unsolicited and property of Ashland. Ashland will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume, unless the Agency has a signed contract with Ashland's Human Resources/Procurement department in advance of submitting a candidate for consideration. Verbal and written approvals will not be considered a valid contract for service.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.

At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.

Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.

Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.