Continuous Improvement Lead

About the role

The Site Operational Excellence Lead identifies, plans, and executes performance improvement activities across the facility in alignment with organizational strategic goals and objectives. Through the implementation of lean methodology and other best practices, you will champion a culture of continuous improvement by empowering others to seek better ways of working. This role works closely with the Site leadership team to enhance production capabilities, improve quality, reduce costs, and achieve customer service goals.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and prioritizes business process improvements and critical initiatives required to achieve both short-term and longer-term organizational goals (Annual Objectives and Break Through Objectives).
• Leads and supports a culture of Continuous Improvement across the site and provides training and mentorship as needed in support of Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Provides and implements a Site Continuous Improvement program in coordination with global organizational support, inclusive of training and execution around Lean, 5S, VSM/PFMs, Root Cause Analysis, and other “best practices” CI tools and methodologies.
• Analyzes existing operational performance metrics such as run-rates, waste, capacity, and yields and provides recommendations for improvement opportunities.
• Develops and drives Site action plans pertaining to performance improvements and establishes Manufacturing Tier Meetings with Site leadership team members.
• Participates in global Operational Excellence and network team meetings to collaborate and ensure standardization of best practices and alignment on organizational activities.
• Meets with key stakeholders as required to ensure proper resourcing alignment, prioritization, and constraints identification on departmental activities.
• Establishes Site Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with local leadership to ensure performance targets are communicated and transparent throughout the facility.
• Identifies top opportunities for Cost Savings and helps prioritize best allocation of resources to execute and realize these savings for leadership review.
• Leads Continuous Improvement events such as Kaizens, Tiger Teams, and/or CI Projects as necessary to elevate business productivity and provide team members with structured support and tools to resolve issues/opportunities.
• Conducts operational reviews and audits.
• Identifies staffing requirements, participates in the selection and hiring process, interviews applicants, and makes hire recommendations.

Requirements

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience.
• Experience with medical or biopharmaceutical industry required.
• Proficient computer skills using MS Office, Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a cross-functional team member.
• Results-oriented: persistent and persevering in achieving concrete and tangible results; proactive in overcoming obstacles or resistance.
• Experience with ISO 13485 and FDA guidelines.
• Six-sigma training a plus (Green Belt and/or Black Belt).
• Ability to effectively communicate with coworkers and management in English.
• Familiarity with an ERP system and Quality Management System (eQMS) preferred.