Operational Excellence Specialist

All Jobs > Operational Excellence Specialist The Operational Excellence Specialist is a salaried (support) leader responsible for developing and sustaining a highly skilled, self-directed hourly workforce in an automotive seat manufacturing environment. This position bridges union hourly (Core) employees and plant leadership by providing hands‑on training, coaching, and continuous improvement support. Drawing on prior experience as a union hourly team member, this role ensures employees are trained to build high‑quality seats efficiently, fosters strong team ownership through self‑directed work teams, and drives engagement and visual management on the plant floor. Key Responsibilities 1. Hourly Workforce Training & Development Train new and existing hourly employees on: Standardized work instructions Quality requirements and defect prevention Safe and efficient seat assembly processes Certify employees on job tasks and maintain training records Identify skill gaps and coordinate targeted retraining 2. Onboarding Support Lead structured onboarding for new hires including: Safety protocols Plant processes and expectations Hands‑on production training Partner with HR and production leadership to accelerate time‑to‑productivity Train and coach hourly team leaders on: Leadership fundamentals (communication, accountability, conflict resolution) Production tracking and escalation processes Continuous improvement principles Serve as a mentor and resource for emerging leaders 4. Self-Directed Work Team (SDWT) Leadership Facilitate development of self-directed teams by: Teaching problem‑solving tools (root cause analysis, 5 Whys) Promoting ownership of quality, safety, and productivity Supporting team‑led decision making and accountability Lead implementation and sustainment of: Visual work instructions Production boards (SQDC: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) Andon systems and escalation processes Audit adherence to visual standards and drive improvements 6. Employee Engagement & Culture Strengthen engagement through: Daily interaction and coaching on the floor Recognition of employee contributions Support of team-based initiatives and feedback loops Act as a trusted liaison between hourly employees and leadership Participate in Kaizen events and process improvement initiatives Assist in reducing waste, rework, and inefficiencies Reinforce lean manufacturing principles Qualifications Required Previous experience as a union hourly employee in automotive or similar manufacturing Direct experience building automotive seats or similar assemblies Strong understanding of plant operations and production processes Demonstrated ability to train and mentor others Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Preferred Experience with lean manufacturing principles Experience leading or participating in self-directed work teams Knowledge of quality systems (e.g., error‑proofing, standardized work) Leadership without authority Coaching and facilitation Process discipline Problem‑solving Change management Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Training certification completion rate Time‑to‑productivity for new hires First‑Time Quality (FTQ) Scrap and rework rates Labor efficiency / throughput Employee engagement scores Internal promotion rate for team leaders Working Conditions / Physical Abilities Work performed in an office and manufacturing plant environments. Normal mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer. Continuously walks and stands. Frequently performs fine finger movements, grips/grasps, push/pulls, bends/stops, and lifts and carries parts up to thirty (30) lbs. Must be available to work any shift as well as weekends and holidays as needed. Training Requirements Orientation Sign-off LM Compliance Policies Safety Training Department Training Requirements Training Checklist This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential duties and responsibilities; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. #J-18808-Ljbffr Lm Mfg