Continuous Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Location: Centerville, IA

Dover Food Retail (DFR) is a leading manufacturer of Display Cases, Specialty Products, Refrigeration Systems, Power Systems and Comprehensive Services; and leading our industry by Innovating What's Next in glass doors and intelligent merchandising technologies that keep food safe under brands such as HillPhoenix and Anthony.

DFR is built on creativity and customer-centric innovation delivered by people invigorated by a strong sense of responsibility to help our customers win in their marketplaces. The relationships we build with our customers are as important to our success as the products we manufacture. This collaborative environment delivers FRESH THINKING, reassuring our customers that they choose the best when they choose to work with the people of Dover Food Retail.

We are looking for a Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer to have responsibility for driving the organization to targeted, measurable and sustainable improvements across all operations and support functions. Expectations include co-owning strategy and tactical development and execution for site initiatives and coaching lean capabilities within the organization. The CI Engineer will work as an individual contributor, team facilitator and/or coach. Candidate will be expected to build & foster a business environment that embraces Kaizen / Continuous Improvement (CI) and structured problem solving as a key to the company's and individual's ongoing growth and success. The position is part of operations and will directly report to the factory CI Leader.

Responsibilities of this role:

• Formally and informally coaching others to identify and take action to reduce waste
• Forming, facilitating, leading & participating on cross-functional teams
• Using and coaching data-based decision making and problem-solving processes.
• Facilitating, Leading & participating in lean conversion actions.
• Formally and informally training in use of lean tools
• Developing Lean muscle across the organization
• Working cross-functionally as a problem-solver and team builder
• Organizing Kaizen events, workshops and associated logistics
• Projecting a positive, solution-seeking attitude in all business interactions
• Work well in team environments, both as individual contributor and leader
• Motivate others to engage, support, and share our vision
• Communicate effectively across various levels within the organization.
• Adapt and stay flexible within multiple business environments, audiences and priorities.
• Share best practice with local CI staff, leadership and Dover Enterprise teams.
• Documenting and developing process and system documentation as appropriate
• Writing business cases, capital expenditure requests and assessing financial impact of sustained CI action.
• Leading / Co-Leading facility and operations upgrades or enhancements
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ideally 2+ years of Continuous Improvement Experience; will consider all candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience that meet the expectations of the job.

Preferred qualifications:

• Able to speak the language of LEAN / Continuous Improvement
• 2+ years of experience with facilitating and leading methodology such as : Continuous process improvement, Lean, Personnel Qualification Standard, Tiger Teams, Daily Management/Management for Daily Improvement, Key Process Indicators, Flow, Job Safety Analysis, Training w/in Industry, Standard Work, Standard Operating Procedure, Point of Use, Pull Replenishment.
• Proven hands-on understanding and experience in use and coaching of TPS/Lean Fundamentals (5S, SW, PSP, Kaizen, DM, VSM, TPI, Poka-Yoke, etc...)
• Experienced leading / facilitating Kaizens through a Lean OPEX conversion
• Cross functional experience in any of Operations / Material Flow / Supply Chain Mgmt. / Customer Support / Accounting / Product Development
• Experience with Project and Change Management tools
• 2+ years Project Management experience
• Experience as a people leader and/or facilitator
• Strong Computer & MS Office Skills

To be a great fit for the role:

• All of the above
• Demonstrated success with team building / leading and facilitation skills
• Strong listening and coaching skillset.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate and influence across functions and at all levels within the organization
• Ability to manage projects independently with little to no supervision
• Recognize organization roadblocks and be able to use change management techniques to navigate towards solutions
• Experience developing Lean Muscle across Cross- Functional Departments

This position is eligible to earn commissions based on performance metrics and other criteria outlined in our applicable commissions plan.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.