Continuous Improvement Specialist (Day Shift)

Responsibilities

• Coach and develop line operations leaders from the operators to the general managers through leadership culture and behavior changes, using our PENA HPL, HPC training methods and the deployment of our newly created production system.
• Coach and develop the full-time hourly CI coaches, *this will mean supporting them on other shifts from time to time and ensuring consistency across shifts*
• Coach all key contributors daily during Gemba walks on developing a highly effective Daily Management process focused on management through visual control, creation of flow, reduction of defects adherence to standard work, and solid implementation of rigorous problem solving.
• Work with the entire value stream organization (salary and hourly) to transform to a culture of significant focus on value for the customer, and rigorous continuous improvement.
• Work with the value stream organization to develop value stream maps that establish future state targets on elimination of non-value-added waste in product, material, and information flow.
• Works with the areas leadership and support team to define and educate the workforce on a lean transformation plan of A3’s and JDI’s which will lead to achievement of future state targets.
• Works with the site training department/HR to develop and deliver programs to teach the workforce on lean manufacturing tools and concepts such as problem solving, A3 management, leader as coach, Kaizen, Value Stream mapping, visual management, lean conversion and pull.
• Works with local team to ensure rigor around the pre-work, post work and conducting of the rapid improvement events.
• Ensure compliance within the area with standard processes and standard tools, helps the team develop and follow their personal leader standard work, and helps develop a culture of process discipline around operators following process standard work.
• Act as a change agent to bring about improvement in the processes through the formation and management of plant Rapid Improvement Events (RIEs).
• Identify and invite key participates who will work together to identify opportunities to eliminate waste and focus on improving processes.
• Facilitate the meetings so that the team has a clear understanding of the problem and the process to identify improvements.
• Provide necessary training specific to Lean Manufacturing tools and methodology.
• Follow up on RIE action plans to ensure that the improvements are being executed.
• Coach employees on use of lean tools.
• Become an expert on key lean tools, including mechanics and when to apply.
• Conduct regular GEMBA walks and coach for daily improvement and problem solving.
• Ensure A3/A4 thinking is utilized and understood by all levels of the organization.
• Serve as a proactive presence when groups stall or when there is an unwillingness to challenge the status quo through match-pace-lead approach.
• Support building and implementation of visual management systems and create strong hand-offs to area owners for ongoing success.
• Effectively communicate Lean progress to ensure understanding and implementation.
• Develop communication plan to inform organization of Lean progress made and upcoming Lean activities.
• Establish best practice sharing from shift to shift that have been successful in the implementation of HPC, Gemba walks, and Kaizens

Qualifications

• Basic/Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree and relevant experience
• Essential Qualifications:
• Must have 2+ years of continuous improvement manufacturing experience
• Must have strong technical background, including high volume manufacturing environment
• Solid background in Process Development & Process Improvement
• Able to work effectively at all levels of the organization
• Excellent communicator: Interpersonal and presentation skills
• Able to influence change without direct authority
• Must have been on PENA high performance culture training (if internal candidate)
• Dynamic and engaging facilitation/training skills.
• Able to convey and communicate complex concepts simply and clearly
• Experience in Did we win today and servant leadership style culture
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and project management skills
• Experience coaching and mentoring
• Training and coaching others experience
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)