Manufacturing Excellence Coordinator

About the role

The Manufacturing Excellence Coordinator supports the day‑to‑day execution of HMFG’s Manufacturing Excellence program and Production & Process Excellence (P2X) initiatives. The Head of Program Execution establishes strategic direction, priorities, and program governance; this role coordinates assigned improvement work, maintains follow‑through, and helps move initiatives from problem identification through implementation, verification, standardization, and sustainment. The coordinator serves as a key coordinator for P2X execution, which aims to maximize manufacturing throughput and improve quality by engaging employees at all levels to remove barriers, streamline work process flows, and eliminate waste using Lean methodologies. Success is measured by disciplined coordination and completion of assigned OFIs, quality and timeliness of improvement documentation and follow‑through, adoption of standard work, reduction of recurring execution barriers, support of improved NPI execution discipline, and demonstrated contribution to measurable gains in safety, quality, delivery, cost, velocity, and customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Excellence & P2X Program Support
  • Model HOLT’s Values Based Leadership tools, models, and processes to ensure alignment with Vision, Values, and Mission.
  • Support tactical execution of HMFG’s Manufacturing Excellence program and P2X initiatives in line with priorities set by the Head of Program Execution.
  • Maintain visibility of assigned improvement initiatives, priorities, status, risks, action items, business impact, and sustainment requirements; escalate barriers requiring leadership support.
• OFI & Improvement Project Coordination
  • Identify and document recurring process constraints, waste, workflow issues, handoff failures, delays, rework, communication gaps, and other barriers affecting safety, quality, delivery, cost, velocity, or customer satisfaction.
  • Convert OFIs into structured improvement projects with clear problem statements, scope, owners, due dates, expected outcomes, business impact, verification methods, and sustainment requirements.
  • Coordinate and, when assigned, lead improvement projects from problem definition through implementation, verification, standardization, and closure, with guidance from the Head of Program Execution and functional leaders.
  • Track actions through completion, follow up with owners, and verify that countermeasures produce intended results and reduce recurrence.
• Lean & Structured Program Solving
  • Facilitate and document recurring process constraints, waste, workflow issues, handoff failures, delays, rework, communication gaps, and other barriers that negatively affect safety, quality, delivery, cost, velocity, or customer satisfaction.
  • Support conversion of OFIs into structured improvement projects and lead them through the full improvement lifecycle.
• NPI & Business Process Improvement
  • Support evaluation and improvement of business processes across the full New Project Introduction (NPI) lifecycle—from Sales through Project Closeout.
  • Identify and document improvement opportunities related to stage‑gate discipline, process clarity, execution readiness, Epicor accuracy, documentation, communication, quality planning, SOP development, kitting, procurement readiness, production launch, lessons learned, and Voice of Customer feedback.
  • Partner with Manufacturing Project Managers and Line Advisors to capture recurring execution issues and develop systemic improvements.
  • Coordinate with cross‑functional stakeholders (Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Operations, Quality, Finance, Logistics, Field Service, Project Management, PSD) to support improvements while preserving functional ownership.
• Business Systems, Data & Documentation
  • Support and coordinate business system improvements, including Epicor workflow, data, reporting, and visibility enhancements.
  • Develop and maintain process maps, standard work, SOP updates, OFI tracking, KPI reporting, lessons learned, dashboards, meeting records, action logs, and sustainment controls.
  • Use performance measures and process data to verify improvement effectiveness, identify trends, and surface additional opportunities.
• Change Management & Sustainment
  • Support organizational change management by ensuring improvements are understood, communicated, adopted, measured, and reinforced.
  • Coordinate sustainment checks and process audits for assigned improvements; follow up to verify adherence, effectiveness, and unresolved gaps.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Work safely at all times and adhere to all applicable safety policies.
  • Comply with all company policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of manufacturing operations, engineered‑to‑order or project‑based manufacturing, New Project Introduction, production readiness, material flow, quality planning, and cross‑functional execution.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, RCCA, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Gemba, KPI management, and business process improvement.
• Ability to recognize systemic issues, gather and organize facts, distinguish symptoms from root causes, translate OFIs into structured action plans, and support sustainment through documentation, measurement, coordination, and follow‑up.
• Strong communication, facilitation, relationship‑building, analytical, organizational, and project coordination skills.
• Great attention to detail and solid prioritization skills.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and influence action without direct authority while maintaining professionalism, collaboration, urgency, and accountability.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to work independently.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets, process mapping, dashboards, and business reporting tools.
• Ability to connect broader process objectives with hands‑on tactical execution in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and progressively take on more complex improvement assignments.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience in manufacturing operations, project execution, or business process improvement.
• Three or more years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, operational excellence, industrial engineering, business systems, project coordination, project management, or cross‑functional process improvement required.
• Experience in engineer‑to‑order, make‑to‑order, project‑based, or complex manufacturing environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience participating in or coordinating cross‑functional improvement projects from problem definition through implementation and follow‑up preferred.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing implementation, ERP‑driven business processes, Rapid Improvement Workshops, RCCA, Gemba, process mapping, or cross‑functional improvement initiatives preferred.
• Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, or related professional certification preferred but not required.

Travel

Up to 10% travel may be required between local sites, suppliers, customers, PSD stakeholders, and training events. Valid driver’s license required.

Physical Requirements

• Extended periods in a stationary position, standing, walking, and operating a forklift; occasional kneeling, crouching, and stooping.
• Occasionally move materials or equipment weighing up to 25 lb.
• Frequent communication with others; must exchange accurate information in a professional manner.
• React to visual, auditory, and other signals (including alarms and instructions) and perform visual inspections of work.
• Ability to safely maneuver throughout a manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

• Professional office environment with frequent interaction throughout manufacturing facilities and occasional outdoor job‑site conditions.
• Potential exposure to extreme weather (inclement weather, heat, cold, humidity) when working outdoors.
• Possible exposure to moving mechanical parts, manufacturing equipment, elevated noise levels, welding light, and temperature variations while supporting improvement activities across multiple functional areas.
• Fast‑paced work with unscheduled interruptions.
• Safety training and personal protective equipment required outside of office/parking‑lot areas.