Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement ManagerCompany: Norris Cylinder CompanyPrimary Location: 521 Green Cove Road SE, Huntsville, AL 35803 USAEmployment Type: Salaried | Full-TimeFunction: EngineeringEqual Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/DisabledMain Duties & ResponsibilitiesJob Summary: The Continuous Improvement Manager will be responsible for implementation of TOS/Lean manufacturing concepts & principles. This implementation must lead to continual improvements in quality, productivity, and safety.Job Duties and Responsibilities include the following:Identify, coach, train, and coordinate TOS/Lean activities, within the scope of TOS/Lean principles and concepts which include the following:Design, Training, and Implementation of Key Performance Indicators throughout the business, and setting up a daily review of KPI'sWork with all employees to continually improve processes & eliminate wastesImprove safety, quality, and productivity, in all departmentsDevelop & carry out TOS/Lean training for employeesIdentify, train and implement the Norris TOS/Lean toolbox to drive continual improvementDevelop visual methods to measure improvement and monitor processesLead Kaizen events across the organizationResponsible for the management and leadership of the productivity improvements (reduction of cost structures) and accountability awareness projects.Acts as a project leader or mentor to ensure successful completion of projectsProcess analysis to identify and eliminate non-value added activities.Layout and flow design to allow continuous improvement for productivity (cost, speed & quality).Establish baselines for manufacturing against which improvement can be measured.Use of benchmarking to seek better ways of workingTeach / Lead / Participate cross function teams for process analysis and improvements (Lean, Kaizen, 6 Sigma tools).Work with Engineering to improve processes.Work with Manufacturing to define work instructions, training aids, etc. to improve processes.Work with Purchasing to improve vendor practices / designs to improve our processes.Work with all groups to design "Error Free" processesDevelop ways to improve the company's Supply Chain Effectiveness.Possesses specialized knowledge and technical expertise in principles, practices, and implementation of the Continuous Improvement methodologyWorking knowledge of the tools needed in a successful transformation, statistical tools and techniques (Kaizen, 5S/6S, Value Stream Mapping).Thorough understanding of process mapping, analysis and design, including process control points, risk mitigation and documentation such as process charts, flow diagrams, Gantt Charts and other tracking toolsAbility to facilitate diverse groups through group learning and problem solving.Track record of leading or facilitating successful and significant improvement initiatives.Other duties may be assigned.QualificationsEducation and Work Experience: Bachelor's Degree (B.S. in Industrial Engineering preferred) from an accredited college or university; plus, practical lean experience and/or training with a minimum of 3 years of plant manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt required, Black Belt preferred, previous team leadership, and project management experience.LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read, analyzes, and interprets general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.REASONING ABILITYAbility to define problems collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIESExtensive knowledge of compressed gas cylinder technology, to include specifications, design and testing requirements/procedures, is preferred. Familiarity with Microsoft Word, spreadsheet, graphics and data base management applications required.PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.This position requires the mental ability to read and comprehend policies, procedures, instructions, etc., to write reports, to use logic and data to solve problems, to assess needs, to communicate effectively, and varying degrees of independence, judgment, and discretion. This position requires the physical ability to be mobile in an office and industrial environment, to finger and grasp materials, to speak effectively, and to listen with intent.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.