Continuous Improvement Manager

About the role

The Continuous Improvement Engineering Manager is responsible for developing and deploying continuous improvement (CI) goals and strategies for the site/function. They focus CI efforts on enhancing value for both internal and external customers. The role involves coordinating and overseeing CI activities, facilitating and mentoring lean and six sigma improvement activities, and working closely with business leaders to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy CI goals and strategies through the application of CI principles, systems, methods and tools
• Focus CI efforts to enhance value for both internal and external customers
• Coordinate and oversee CI activity for the site/function
• Facilitate/mentor lean and six sigma improvement activities to improve the flow within value streams
• Work closely with all business leaders to grow a culture of continuous improvement
• Lead or facilitate management gemba activities and promote gemba activities within the organization
• Co-lead the site/function CI Committee with the site/function leader to ensure alignment of CI resources, prioritization and execution of CI activities aligned to the site/function strategy deployment plans, monitoring of appropriate metrics, CI recognition and appropriate reflection on the site/function strategy deployment plans
• Lead and measure the adoption of the Systematic CI Framework Standards
• Deliver training and/or kaizen facilitation at external organizations outside Celestica + other sites in the Celestica network that need help + global support functions within Celestica
• Coordinate and facilitate improvement opportunities external to the site/function (as required)
• Collaborate with regional and corporate CI teams for the Continuous Improvement activities execution
• Coordinate and encourage the sharing and adoption of good practices between customers, departments, sites and functions
• Provide leadership and motivation to site/function personnel to implement CI
• Grow and develop CI resources at the site/function
• Facilitate and mentor improvement and/or transformation efforts. Provide subject matter expertise on an as needed basis. Coordinate training for CI for Employees, CI for Leadership, Lean Green Belt and Six Sigma Green Belt certifications

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience of identifying the need for and implementing process improvements that resulted in significant gains in operational efficiencies
• Demonstrated success in leading/facilitating a CI transformation
• Strong professional acumen and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Prominent project management and organizational skills and expertise
• Ability to handle multiple priority tasks in a manner that meets business requirements
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• The ability to apply the scientific method through PDCA to solve complex cross-functional and technical problems where the symptom(s) and/or root cause(s) are not understood
• The ability to analyze data with strong technical mathematical skills
• Experience in key facets of complex manufacturing and support function environments
• Proven ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization
• Management experience within a matrix organization
• People management and development experience
• Lean and Six-Sigma Black Belt

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in an Engineering field
• 5 plus years of related experience in electronic manufacturing
• Experience implementing Lean practices and developing lean culture from the ground up across a wide variety of products is essential
• Highly motivated individual that can work with minimal supervision
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to handle multiple and conflicting priorities
• Must be able to lead people and teams without direct authority
• In-depth knowledge of process analysis, standardization, continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, FMEA, DOE and operational excellence programs
• Knowledge of project management techniques and the ability to conduct benchmarking studies
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable with public speaking
• Green Belt or Black Belt Certification in LEAN Six Sigma (preferred but not required)