Continuous Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement Engineer

The Continuous Improvement Engineer works under the direction of the Director of Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement and collaborates with Operations Leadership across multiple sites. This role is responsible for identifying, coordinating, and executing improvement initiatives in quality, capacity, lead time, inventory, and safety using Lean and continuous improvement methodologies. The individual will help drive sustainable operational improvements, support change initiatives, and foster cross-functional collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and lead process improvement projects, identifying and monitoring opportunities related to quality, capacity, lead time, inventory, and safety using Lean problem-solving methodologies.
• Provide technical support to production teams to enhance safety, efficiency, capacity, and product quality.
• Partner with production and maintenance teams to drive continuous improvements in plant operations, supporting change management and teamwork.
• Develop and manage short- and long-term, sustainable visual action plans tied to key improvement initiatives.
• Lead the implementation of capital projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Track, measure, and report progress on improvement activities aligned with business plans, goals, and key performance indicators.
• Prepare reports and deliver presentations to management regarding initiative status, performance metrics, and challenges.
• Coach and mentor employees at all levels to promote Operational Excellence and continuous improvement practices.
• Lead and participate in special projects as required.
• Plan, analyze, and report measurable data, continuously monitoring and improving selected performance metrics.
• Consistent, reliable attendance and punctuality at assigned work locations.
• Complete and maintain Flow Diagrams, Change Controls, FMEAs, APQPs, and PPAPs.
• Support and maintain Quality Assurance programs, including specifications, procedures, and internal audits.
• Track, analyze, and report First Pass Yield (FPY), scrap, and rework performance, including trend analysis and corrective action plans.
• Lead corrective actions and ensure timely follow-up of A3s and other open issues.
• Participate in new product planning to ensure quality considerations are incorporated early in the product development process.
• Support the development of assembly equipment and production cells, including process mapping, value stream mapping, and work instruction development.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities or limitations related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions to perform the essential functions, unless the accommodation will cause an undue hardship.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, data analysis, and statistical software.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• Results-driven with exceptional organizational and computer skills.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Quality, Mechanical preferred), or 5-7 years of equivalent professional experience in lieu of a degree
• A minimum of 3 years of experience utilizing lean tools such as 5s, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, TPM, Andon, Standard Work, and SMED.
• 3-5 years of experience in business operations, plant manufacturing, or engineering environments.
• Lean Six Sigma Certification Green Belt level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across a large organization.
• ISO Lead Auditor certification.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and statistical analysis tools.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong knowledge of Continuous Improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook and Power Point.
• Proven project management skills.
• Ability to independently manage complex issues with minimal supervision while appropriately escalating when necessary.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams, cultures, and personality types

Physical Demands: The 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 will be made to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable state and federal law. Requires standing, sitting, climbing, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds, with specific PPE required.

Work Environment: Potential exposure to some airborne contaminants and machinery vibration in a non-climate-controlled factory environment; noise may require hearing protection.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-Time. Expected Work Schedule: 9/80 Schedule. Monday through Thursday, with every other Friday off.

Travel: Some travel is expected for this position.

Safety Sensitive Position: This position is a safety-sensitive position as defined in the Pelco Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy and 63 Okla. Stat. § 427.8(K)(1)