Continuous Improvement Specialist I

We work hard for the people who work for us. We champion our teams and foster collaboration, inclusion, respect and excellence. Our teams have invented groundbreaking technologies, manufactured millions of products and earned a long list of awards. Year after year, we’re named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies.

About the role

As a member of the Continuous Improvement (CI) team, the Digitalization & Continuous Improvement Specialist will apply a combination of CI methods (Lean, Kaizen, structured problem solving) with digital tools to provide innovative solutions that reduce manual processes, enable real-time data tracking, and support the achievement of key performance indicators such as Safety, First Time Through (FTT), In-Process Parts per Million (IPPM), Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), Jobs Per Hour (JPH), and Overall Improvement Plan Deployment (OIP).

You will digitalize, standardize, and sustain CI processes and performance metrics to improve visibility, execution, and data-driven decision-making across the plant.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and support plant-wide CI initiatives and kaizen improvement events to achieve plant OIP goals.
• Create benchmark digital solutions such as Foundry pipelines, Ignition dashboards, and kaizen trackers.
• Champion the plant’s Continuous Improvement Suggestion System and action plan follow-ups.
• Identify opportunities for conversion of manual plant processes into streamlined digital workflows.
• Develop training materials and support end-users in the use of CI and digital tools.
• Build internal capabilities and expertise in foundational CI tools, including: Value Stream Mapping, 5S, 7 Wastes, Lean Factory Simulation, Poka Yoke, Andon System, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Skill Matrix, and Daily Team Meetings.
• Prepare to be the plant’s subject matter expert on artificial intelligence applications and cascade knowledge.
• Prepare performance metrics and reports (safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity) for plant leadership.
• Track improvement action savings and status while maintaining project documentation and audit readiness.
• Work with plant operations and IT teams to ensure rapid deployment of digital tools in a startup environment.
• Participate in the definition and maintenance of initial Visual Management standards for the plant during launch.
• Join Plant Operations Tours and GEMBA walks while supporting updates to Visual/Smart Factory standards.
• Collaborate with the EHS department on completion of Humantech Ergonomics assessments and improvements.
• Foster internal talent development programs through coaching of High-Performance Work Teams.
• Assist the industrial engineering department with line re-balancing projects and standard work updates.
• Support routine operations meetings, including Fast Response, Critical 8D, Orientations, and Town Halls.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with deployment of Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence concepts.
• Minimum 3 years in manufacturing or plant operations environment/industry.
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy of data and the ability to clearly explain it to all organizational levels.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with all teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications: Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.

Skills

• Experience with Power BI, Palantir Foundry, SQL, SAP, Ignition, or any Artificial Intelligence applications (preferred).
• Experience with implementing Industry 4.0 solutions, such as digitalizing manual workflows (preferred).
• Exposure to Lean Six Sigma analytic methodologies and tools (preferred).