Process Improvement Manager

Position Summary:The Process Improvement Manager is responsible for leading an effort to establish and cultivate a top-notch process control and quality culture, fostering problem-solving skills, providing technical guidance to all manufacturing departments, and implementing sustainable process enhancements on the production floor. This role emphasizes the integration of customer requirements (Nuclear, Military, Aerospace, NADCAP, AS9001) with the company's Manufacturing Culture. The Process Improvement Manager plays a crucial role in supporting manufacturing operations through intricate problems solving activities.Key Responsibilities:Collaborate with key stakeholders to create and uphold a superior quality culture.Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization, focusing on problem-solving and process control. Utilize teamwork and collaboration to advance quality and continuous improvement efforts.Support the company's Corrective Action Request (CAR) System by forming teams and gaining buy-in for improvement initiatives.Communicate the importance of process control to Employee Owners at all levels.Lead the charge in promoting the quality culture, engaging directly at all levels and stages of implementation and execution. This includes integrating quality cultural expectations into organizational development and training endeavors.Lead company-wide quality improvement campaigns and high-visibility problem-solving events, based on measurable data as available.Cultivate relationships with Employee Owners to achieve Best-in-Class performance.Engage sales and production leaders at a high level.Ensure proper technical support resources are accessible and utilized for quality improvement initiatives including facilitation, statistical analysis, and 6-sigma tools.Assist with internal and external Supplier Quality Audits, and layered process audits.Own specific processes such as non-conformance control, deviation system, and Corrective Action Systems.Develop and maintain company-wide quality metrics including Daily Collaboration Meetings.Address real-time in-process quality challenges with appropriate resources.Provide engineering support for quality techniques during the investigation and resolution of non-conformances or process issues.Contribute to Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and control plans, as well as Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess critical part features and manufacturability of design, making recommendations for modifications as needed.Analyze data using quantitative statistical methods to support process improvements.Respond promptly to customer needs and support continuous improvement initiatives on the shop floor.Coach, counsel, and monitor job results for direct reports or interns as needed.Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned, with some overnight travel as required.Qualifications:Education/Experience:Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Metallurgy (or equivalent). Certified Quality Engineer (ASQ) preferred.At least 7 years of quality leadership experience with demonstrated success in shop floor continuous improvement.Six Sigma Black Belt certification with multiple completed projects. Qualified Lead Auditor in quality systems such as ISO 9001:2008 or AS9100. Experience in metals industry or metallurgy preferred.Required Skills:Strategic orientation, strong communication skills, organizational skills, ability to work independently and in teams.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and working knowledge of Minitab.Technical skills in APQP, FMEA, 8-D problem solving, 6S and lean tools, VSM, TPM, root cause analysis, statistics, GD&T.Competencies Required:Functional/Technical skills, Problem solving, Time management, Process management, Managerial courage, Action oriented, Building effective teams, Managing through systems, Presentation skills, Approchability, Interpersonal savvy, Understanding others, Motivating others, Managing with vision and purpose, Making complex decisions, Communicating effectively, Driving for results, Acting with honor and character, Being open and receptive, Working both individually and in a team environment.