Continuous Improvement Engineer

Company / Location Information

A. O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

This position is fully on-site in McBee, South Carolina. For qualified candidates relocating from outside the area, A. O. Smith offers a generous relocation package to help support a smooth and successful transition.

Primary Function

The Continuous Improvement Engineer follows established engineering principles to determine the sequence of steps or processes required to fabricate and assemble products that meet the organization's standards of quality and cost. This person also analyzes product specifications, parts drawings, and other engineering data to develop new production processes, estimate time requirements for each step, and prepares operation sheets. 

Responsibilities

• Develop an annual Continuous Improvement Strategy for AOS McBee.
• Provides overall guidance of AOS McBee Continuous Improvement Program through matrix team consisting of all company functions
• Develop and maintain Process Maps to document current and future state workflows,
• Identify bottlenecks and improve process effectiveness.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives using 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Pull Systems, and DMAIC methodologies.
• Conduct Time Studies and Work Measurement Analysis to optimize labor utilization, improve productivity, and establish standard work requirements.
• Assists operations achieving measurable and sustainable improvement in key metrics such as efficiency, productivity and effectiveness of business and manufacturing processes.
• Tracks AOS McBee Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and Key Improvement Priorities (KIP’s).
• Facilitates CI Kaizen events and tracks progress of improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate learning opportunities regarding continuous improvement with other AOS facilities. Provide corporate leadership as requested.
• Supported production line labeling, process optimization, and workflow initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Process engineering or related field.
• 1+ year of related work experience in Continuous Improvement. 
• Lean Six Sigma Practitioner (Bronze, Green Belt, or Black Belt Certified) preferred. 
• Change Management - Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Strong communication, skills Ability to facilitate meetings.
• Ability to observe and document work performed by others.
• Ability to observe and document process steps in automated work environments.
• Excellent understanding of Lean Manufacturing processes and concepts.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel, Power BI, Visio, SAP, and Microsoft Project; working knowledge of AutoCAD.

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.
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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status.

We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.