Manager, Operational Excellence

ABOUT THE POSITION : This position works closely with every aspect of the business to identify process improvement opportunities (remove waste, enhance agility, reduce costs) and help create a sustainable competitive advantage through the use of Continuous Improvement / Lean principles and methods. Also, develops, implements, and sustains a Quality Management System to enhance and ensure customer focused market success through process performance and reliability throughout the company. 

Location: This position supports the MS sites and will sit at one of the following sites - Yankton, SD , Stafford Tx, Raleigh, IL, or Belleville, IL

Key Deliverables

• Provide improved quality process for the organization’s operations.
• Provide individuals with the proper support to drive organization improvements.
• Develop and maintain company quality Manual to ensure compliance.
• Ensure the use of Lean and Quality principles and practices.
• Provide the organization with effective measurement and reporting systems. 

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Implement Continuous Improvement System via Lean and Quality to support the development and deployment of the future state design and sustainable enterprise-wide improvement processes.
• Develop and deploy an effective measurement and reporting system for strategic alignment and focus.
• Interact and communicate with all managers, associates, suppliers, and customers to help establish Lean values and a Complete Quality culture and assure the needed resources and commitment to drive improvements.
• Enhance and support the Sales & Operations Planning process by ensuring Value Stream clarity, effective VS metrics and defined demand takt times.
• Reduce Value Stream cycle times to continually enhance agility through waste elimination & process flow improvements throughout the organization.
• Lead the transition from MRP-based push manufacturing methodology to Lean-based pull manufacturing methodology with visual controls.
• Establish and maintain companywide process documentation system to promote standard work and process integrity.
• Ensure end-to-end application of Lean and Quality principles and practices, from New Product Development to Service and Support.
• Lead Kaizen Events, 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping, Theory of Constraints Projects, TPM, Set-Up Reduction, Defect Prevention, Leadership Development, and other CI efforts.
• Coordinate Lean training and development activities of all associates and grow Lean Champions and Kaizen Leaders.
• Coordinate Lean monthly management review meeting and participate in monthly/quarterly/annual corporate led Lean meetings.
• Develop, maintain, and further refine a Quality Management System that is focused on prevention and efficiency in all functions of the Company.
• Establish and maintain the Company Quality Manual to keep current with ongoing organizational needs, including ISO-9000 compliance where appropriate.
• Implement ‘built-in quality’ or ‘quality at the source’ - meet with suppliers, customers, quality representatives, and Company personnel to discuss and resolve issues as required.
• Prepare all necessary reports as required by any agencies, customers, and staff personnel.
• Executes internal Sarbanes-Oxley control responsibilities with diligence and integrity. These internal control responsibilities are communicated to the person fulfilling this position, and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to performance of internal control responsibilities.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or closely related degree.
• 5+ years’ experience in a Continuous Improvement role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experienced in leading a Lean transformation in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to travel up to 50%
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations.
• Demonstrated problem solving and project management skills.
• Conceptual Thinking - ability to think in terms of abstract ideas.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, ERP, and other applicable programs.
• Must have a win-win mentality & the ability to overcome obstacles, both technical & non-technical.
• Requires steady energy and focused planning and organizing skills.
• Strong facilitation & training skills needed to deliver Quality and Lean Manufacturing concepts, principles & practices.
• Ability to work well with others. Must have strong team-building skills and be successful in facilitating team-based initiatives.
• Requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, business process improvement knowledge, and ability to train others with diverse backgrounds and education levels.
• Ability to perform work in a heavy industrial setting, with exposure to fumes/smoke. 

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

None