The Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist drives sustainable continuous improvements within designated site, delivering breakthrough results in continuous improvement and manufacturability, while adhering to high safety and quality standards. The CI Specialist works closely with plant leadership and department employees to achieve results. This position requires strong Lean Manufacturing and hands-on leadership skills, along with a passion for Operational Excellence, to be successful.
Responsibilities • Facilitate Kaizen events with cross-functional teams to achieve breakthrough improvements. • Utilize CI tools and methodologies (including 7 wastes, 5S, standard work, SMED, TPM, VSM, etc.) to drive sustainable operational improvements. • Track and analyze the CI process and manufacturing matrices in compliance with the site's SQDC (safety, quality, delivery, cost) metrics. • Coordinate and lead internal audits around Lean principles (5S, standard work, TPM, etc.). • Drive process and task standardization through process mapping, standard works, and work instructions. • Effectively facilitate team meetings; communicate issues within an area and across shifts, and follow-up on actions. • Develop tracking tools and measures to support CI initiatives. • Benchmark performance across the facilities and industry to identify areas of opportunity. • Challenge the status quo to find ways to optimize manufacturing performance to deliver superior results. • Follow cGMP guidelines and processes as established in department SOPs.
SKILLS: • Excellent, analytical, and organizational skills. • Ability to work collaboratively and proactively, while balancing a variety of priorities and workload. • Ability to handle complex challenges across all functions. • Ability to motivate and influence a broad, cross functional team. • Ability to identify problems. • Interested and capable in solving problems and driven to execute. • Very strong communication skills. • Demonstrated effective team player.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • Bachelor's degree or equivalent. • Two (2) plus years in a manufacturing environment. • Understanding of site waste reports including QFS costs, variance and floor scrap. • Demonstrated experience in standardized work creation and adherence, driving 5S, value stream mapping, line balancing and project coordination. • Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio).