Business Improvement Manager

About the role

Support all aspects of distribution and fulfillment activities. Structure and lead the implementation of Kenco’s Operating System with specific emphasis on labor management and Kenco’s roadmap for success. Provide operational support at a strategic and/or tactical level as directed.

Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of Operational Excellence focused on safety and quality through training, mentorship, project management, and internal audits, while leveraging all available support service resources.
• Support and promote warehouse compliance with all corporate initiatives and programs including Kenco O/S, Quality (KQMS), LMS, 6-S, LEAN, GEMBA, Kaizen, A3s, Tier Boards, Takt Boards, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control), Behavior Based Safety, Employee Engagement Impact Plans, etc.
• Manage and facilitate cost reduction initiatives and project management efforts.
• Allocate and direct resources throughout all support services functions to ensure customer and corporate goals are met.
• Develop and present information professionally to internal and external management/customers.
• Work directly with the IT group to ensure operational reporting accurately reflects operational performance.
• Reconcile operational requirements in compliance with customer contractual agreements such as quarterly pain share/gain share payments, budget to actual forecasts, and budget re-forecasts based on actual spend, in conjunction with operational staffing needs.
• Coordinate seasonal Material Handling Equipment (MHE) and IT equipment needs.
• Ensure the highest level of efficiency, quality, and customer service.
• Coordinate facility maintenance activities.
• Build strong relationships and facilitate effective communication with operations teams and key customer contacts.
• Drive and promote synergies, cohesiveness, camaraderie, and consistency in execution of operational and cultural standards across the network of responsibility.
• Drive coaching and leadership development to promote organizational bench strength within assigned area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned by General Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required or equivalent years of experience (one year of professional experience for each year of college requested).
• 5–7 years of related experience and/or training in a distribution center or transportation environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and other Continuous Improvement (CI) tools.
• Working knowledge of DOT, OSHA, and FDA requirements preferred.
• Ability to train, motivate, and lead all levels of associates.
• Comprehensive understanding and ability to deploy labor management strategies that produce measurable cost-saving results.
• Ability to become fluent and a subject matter expert with Kenco’s Operating System and to structure and implement a compliance strategy that delivers superior attainment of KOS KPIs.
• Ability to objectively evaluate all associates and operational functions within the site.
• Detailed knowledge of financial planning, analysis tools, and execution preferred.
• Ability to perform and execute site optimization strategies.
• Highly proficient in the use of MS Office – Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, & Word.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and meet specific goals and deadlines.
• Experience using warehouse, inventory, financial, and transportation management systems preferred.
• Experience in FDA requirements and quality management systems preferred.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to act as a change agent and drive continual improvement.
• Transportation experience and an understanding of efficient transportation principles preferred.
• Strong analytical abilities, organizational skills, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and strong follow-up skills; ability to be organized is critical to success.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop trust among management, peers, and customers.
• Ability to read and write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Competencies

• Collaborative Leadership: Knows how to get things done through formal channels and the informal network while instilling a sense of purpose in others; sees connection to larger purposes.
• Communicate for Impact: Devotes the time and resources necessary to communicate the strategic vision, direction, priorities, and progress of the team.
• Customer Relationship Building: Has an intimate knowledge of the customer's changing needs and the ability to produce rapid results in all areas.
• Financial Acumen: Maintains and applies a broad understanding of financial management principles to ensure decisions are fiscally sound, responsible, and strategically aligned.
• Leading Change: Ability to develop and implement an organizational strategy and incorporate it into the organization’s long-term goals. Fosters a work environment that encourages creative thinking and maintains focus, intensity, and persistence, even under adversity.
• Leading People: Ability to develop and implement strategies to maximize employee performance and foster employee engagement in meeting the organization's strategy.
• Strategic Agility: Gains perspective and balances the pressure between daily tasks and strategic actions that impact the long-term viability of the organization.

Travel Requirements

This position is expected to travel approximately 25% or less.

Benefits

• Medical insurance including HSA, HRA, and FSA accounts
• Supplemental insurance including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accidental injury
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Basic Life and Supplemental Life
• Short Term and Long Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off (approximately 2 weeks, accrual begins on Day 1 of employment)
• Employer Paid Holidays (10 days)