Continuous Improvement Manager

About the role

Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving two primary markets – passenger vehicle and commercial truck – Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.

Responsible for driving and overseeing initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall performance within an organization.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and proactively work to improve plant safety and maintain a safe work environment
• Support and deploy Dana Henderson’s Operating System system initiatives through various programs including Black Belt and EIM
• Maintain measurables on team performance and continuous improvement activities to supply customers with on-time deliveries
• Lead efforts to reduce cost and improve efficiency to meet Dana and customer objectives
• Learn and implement all elements of The Dana Operating System (DOS); lead Kaizen & Zero Defect Teams
• Implement DOS throughout the plant
• Support New Program Projects
• Coordinate Kaizen Projects and Implementations
• Design and implement poka-yoke solutions for customer expectations of less than 15 ppm
• Support, implement, and teach Dana Henderson’s Lean initiatives
• Take a proactive approach to unplanned downtime
• Perform cost estimating, cost control, and cost savings
• Maintain facility and production capacity
• Lead and support production activities
• Support production line improvements as needed
• Continuously support 5S program to achieve and maintain world-class housekeeping
• Track and improve in-process buffer quantities

Requirements

• Safety and Quality oriented
• Green Belt Certification preferred
• Experience with the Toyota Production System and the ability to implement it
• Experience in manufacturing, MIG welding, training, and team member involvement teams
• Experience in equipment and process set up
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office, frameworks, Lotus Notes)
• Ability to travel overnight for one or more weeks at a time
• Ability to effectively lead and direct teams
• Good communication skills, verbal and written
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Positive attitude
• Ability to establish and reach work goals
• Prior leadership experience
• Knowledge of prototype management
• Proven track record of continuous improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific field
• Several years of business experience in Supply Chain and/or Operations function
• 5 or more years of experience in manufacturing leadership/management
• Knowledge of Toyota Production System
• Self-starter, organized, and driven to deliver on key tasks and accountabilities
• Attentive to detail and results-oriented, capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong report-writing, technical presentation, and communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of working both independently and in a team environment