Manufacturing Excellence Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Manufacturing Excellence Coordinator supports the day-to-day execution of HMFG's Manufacturing Excellence program and Production & Process Excellence (P2X) initiatives. The Head of Program Execution establishes strategic direction, priorities, and program governance; this role coordinates assigned improvement work, maintains follow-through, and helps move initiatives from problem identification through implementation, verification, standardization, and sustainment. 

This position serves as a key coordinator for P2X execution. P2X is intended to maximize manufacturing throughput and improve quality by engaging employees at all levels to remove barriers, streamline work process flows, and eliminate waste using Lean methodologies. The Manufacturing Excellence Coordinator is expected to work on the processes, not simply in the processes, while remaining close enough to daily execution to facilitate improvement activities, gather facts, coordinate actions, verify results, and help ensure improvements are sustained.  

Success in this role is measured by disciplined coordination and completion of assigned OFIs, quality and timeliness of improvement documentation and follow-through, adoption of standard work, reduction of recurring execution barriers, support of improved NPI execution discipline, and demonstrated contribution to measurable gains in safety, quality, delivery, cost, velocity, and customer experience. 

The incumbent in this position is expected to model the following practices daily: 

1. Demonstrate alignment with the company's mission and core business values; 
2. Collaborate with key internal/external resources; 
3. Participate in ongoing self-development.

Essential Functions

Manufacturing Excellence & P2X Program Support 

• Model, promote, reinforce, and recognize the consistent use of HOLT's Values Based Leadership (VBL) tools, models, and processes to ensure alignment with our Vision, Values, and Mission
• Supports the tactical execution of HMFG’s Manufacturing Excellence program and P2X initiatives across the organization in alignment with priorities established by the Head of Program Execution 
• Maintains visibility of assigned improvement initiatives, priorities, status, risks, action items, business impact, and sustainment requirements, and escalates barriers requiring leadership support

OFI & Improvement Project Coordination 

• Identifies and documents recurring process constraints, waste, workflow issues, handoff failures, delays, rework, communication gaps, and other barriers that negatively affect safety, quality, delivery, cost, velocity, or customer satisfaction
• Supports the conversion of OFIs into structured improvement projects with clear problem statements, scope, owners, due dates, expected outcomes, business impact, verification methods, and sustainment requirements
• Coordinates and, when assigned, leads improvement projects from problem definition through implementation, verification, standardization, and closure, with guidance from the Head of Program Execution and functional leaders as appropriate
• Tracks actions through completion, follows up with owners, and helps verify that implemented countermeasures are producing the intended results and reducing recurrence

Lean & Structured Program Solving 

• Facilitates and documents recurring process constraints, waste, workflow issues, handoff failures, delays, rework, communication gaps, and other barriers that negatively affect safety, quality, delivery, cost, velocity, or customer satisfaction
• Supports the conversion of OFIs into structured improvement projects with clear problem statements, scope, owners, due dates, expected outcomes, business impact, verification methods, and sustainment requirements
• Coordinates and, when assigned, leads improvement projects from problem definition through implementation, verification, standardization, and closure, with guidance from the Head of Program Execution and functional leaders as appropriate
• Tracks actions through completion, follows up with owners, and helps verify that implemented countermeasures are producing the intended results and reducing recurrence

NPI & Business Process Improvement

• Supports evaluation and improvement of the business processes across the full New Project Introduction (NPI) lifecycle from Sales, Quote, Award, Purchase Order, Kickoff, Engineering, Pre-Production, Production, Delivery, Field Assembly or Service, and Project Closeout
• Identifies and documents improvement opportunities related to stage-gate discipline, process clarity, execution readiness, Epicor accuracy, documentation, communication, quality planning, SOP development, kitting, procurement readiness, production launch, lessons learned, and Voice of Customer feedback
• Partners with Manufacturing Project Managers to capture recurring execution issues requiring systemic improvement and with Manufacturing Line Advisors to understand daily production barriers that may require process-level countermeasures
• Coordinates with Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Operations, Quality, Finance, Logistics, Field Service, Project Management, and PSD stakeholders to support cross-functional improvement while preserving ownership within each function

Business Systems, Data & Documentation 

• Supports and coordinates business system improvement, including Epicor workflow, data, reporting, and visibility improvements that strengthen accountability and execution reliability
• Develops and maintains process maps, standard work, SOP updates, OFI tracking, KPI reporting, lessons learned, dashboards, meeting records, action logs, and sustainment controls
• Uses performance measures and process data to help verify improvement effectiveness, identify trends, and surface additional opportunities for improvement

Change Management & Sustainment

• Supports organizational change management by helping ensure improvements are understood, communicated, adopted, measured and reinforced
• Coordinates sustainment checks and process audits appropriate to assigned improvements and follows up to verify adherence, effectiveness, and unresolved gaps 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Works safely always and adheres to all applicable safety policies; complies with all company policies, procedures, and standards
• Performs other duties assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of manufacturing operations, engineered-to-order or project-based manufacturing, New Project Introduction, production readiness, material flow, quality planning, and cross-functional execution
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, RCCA, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Gemba, KPI management, and business process improvement, with the ability to continue developing these capabilities through hands-on application
• Ability to recognize systemic issues, gather and organize facts, distinguish symptoms from root causes, translate OFIs into structured action plans, and support sustainment through documentation, measurement, coordination, and follow-up
• Strong communication, facilitation, relationship-building, analytical, organizational, and project coordination skills
• Great attention to detail and solid prioritization skills
• Ability to work effectively across departments and influence action without direct authority while maintaining professionalism, collaboration, urgency, and accountability
• Strategic thinker with the ability to work independently
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets, process mapping, dashboards, and business reporting tools
• Ability to connect broader process objectives with hands-on tactical execution in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and progressively take on more complex improvement assignments

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience in manufacturing operations, project execution, or business process improvement
• Three or more years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, operational excellence, industrial engineering, business systems, project coordination, project management, or cross-functional process improvement required
• Experience in engineer-to-order, make-to-order, project-based, or complex manufacturing environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience participating in or coordinating cross-functional improvement projects from problem definition through implementation and follow-up preferred
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing implementation, ERP-driven business processes, Rapid Improvement Workshops, RCCA, Gemba, process mapping, or cross-functional improvement initiatives preferred
• Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, or related professional certification preferred but not required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Travel: 

• Up to 10% travel may be required between local sites, suppliers, customers, PSD stakeholders, and training events 
• Valid driver’s license required

Physical Requirements:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform job duties and responsibilities
• This position involves extended periods in a stationary position, standing, walking, and operating a forklift; additionally, occasionally kneeling, crouching, and stooping
• This role frequently communicates with others, must be able to exchange accurate information in a professional manner
• Occasionally moves materials or equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Be able to safely maneuver throughout manufacturing environment 
• Routinely reacts to visual, auditory, and other signals, including alarms and instructions, and is required to visually inspect work

Work Environment:

• This job is generally performed in a professional office environment with frequent interaction throughout manufacturing facilities and occasional outdoor job site conditions; may be exposed to extreme weather conditions that include inclement weather, heat, cold, and humidity when working outdoors
• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts, manufacturing equipment, elevated noise levels, welding light, and temperature variations while supporting improvement activities across multiple functional areas 
• Frequently works at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions
• Safety training required; PPE required outside of office/parking lot area

Disclaimer:

Please note that the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the incumbents so classified. All incumbents may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.