Engineering Associate

Job Description Responsible for supporting operations through completion of Engineering and Maintenance projects. Essential Functions: Education and Training Bachelor of Science degree in technical discipline required or in process. Position Purpose: This position is responsible for facilitating continuous improvement in all the plant's core processes, (Materials, Engineering, Operations, Quality and Maintenance) through the application of lean manufacturing principles, six-sigma, time studies, and other continuous improvement methodologies. Leading Continuous Improvement initiatives and representing the Lebanon, KY facility within the corporate Manufacturing Excellence steering committee. Essential Functions: Establish &/or develop systems which reinforce and encourage data-based decisions to drive value stream enhancement and continuous improvement. Works with various management staff to ensure consistent approach, format, data integrity, and decision processes are deployed and in use throughout the facility. Develop & implement through direct team leadership, improvement initiatives resulting in productivity improvements through deployment of methodologies such as SMED, POKE-A-YOKE, KAN BAN, KAIZEN, LINE OPERATIONS BALANCING, and others as appropriate. Create/measure/maintain processes for production business unit work centers on Lean Principles and link it to employee recognition program. Facilitate the implementation of Six Sigma methodologies within the assigned facility and coordinate within Truck to ensure consistent approach and implementation between all Truck facilities, by establishing and maintaining close working relationships with other continuous improvement coordinators within Truck and other [H] facilities. Work with all departments to assist in the continuous improvement processes. These efforts would include initiatives such as maintenance systems improvement, TS 16949 certification, ISO 14001 Environmental certification lead, inventory reduction efforts, and on-going operating systems development. Develop & facilitate improved shop floor relationships that encourage increased shop floor participation in the overall improvement process, to include round table discussions, improvement teams, individual impact, and other approaches as appropriate. Work with Executive Staff assisting in the development of strategic plans to further the performance of the business utilizing continuous improvement methods, data, and the AOP process. Ensures that all continuous improvement projects capture financial improvements that translate to bottom-line impact. Champion individual projects from CER (capital expenditure requisition) through to shop floor implementation. Work closely with core management group to ensure successful transition and implementation. Support operations with tools like; Shift Planning, Labor requirement, Labor vacation planning etc. on on-going basis. Oversee the site ergonomic program working closely with the Corporate Health and Safety Director. Lead role in Safety Programs (Safety Committee Meetings, Safety Audits, Safety Excellence initiatives) promoting safety awareness to create a positive safety culture. Assess the impact on current and new processes on employees assuring employee involvement in ergonomic and safety improvement activities. Education and Training Bachelor's Degree, six-sigma certification with extensive lean manufacturing implementation and facilitation experience Minimum Qualifications Demonstrated leadership experience by coordinating and or facilitating successful operational improvement teams, utilizing lean manufacturing techniques and principles. Manufacturing experience preferred in operations, quality, materials planning, &/or maintenance & engineering and safety. Well-versed in Theory of Constraints and Lean Manufacturing techniques. Strong team building & facilitation, written, verbal, and people skills. Strong computer and analytical skills; xcel, Statistical analys