Continuous Improvement Manager

LEAN Mission Statement:

At adidas we are committed to live the LEAN philosophy and to apply LEAN principles to our daily operation – maximizing customer value while minimizing waste and continuously improving our way of working.

Summary:

This position will facilitate the implementation of the LEAN Management philosophy at INDY in support of goals and objectives. This position will drive key initiatives and provide support to the site leadership team in the deployment of LEAN concepts. This position will help to identify improvement opportunities and the resources necessary to accomplish planned improvements. This position will lead, coach, and mentor multiple improvement teams within the DC to affect rapid change. With Labor Management (LM), the toolset of local DC management, will be enhanced in the area of labor planning and performance management to contribute to the one adidas initiative.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all LEAN topics across the DC
• Function as a change agent. Continuously challenge the way things are done. Promote creativity and out of the box thinking
• Regularly conduct internal Lean audits to monitor progress
• Responsible for the optimal use of the Labor Management tool within the DC including labor planning & performance management
• Maintenance of LM tool including process analyses & time studies
• Continuous support of IT teams to ensure that LM provides the optimal outputs & new business requirements are captured
• Reports to the Regional DC Excellence Sr Manager to align on standardized LEAN implementation (dotted line)
• Single point of contact (SPOC) for all LEAN related topics in area of responsibility
• Manage the implementation of LEAN Management methodology to help the business achieve its goals and objectives. Improvement projects are likely to focus on cost competitiveness, product availability, lead-time reduction and supply chain network optimization
• Support the DC process owners to optimize processes and to focus on key customer requirements
• Provide training, coaching and mentoring in LEAN concepts and techniques
• Employ leadership and project management skills to ensure projects are completed on time and meet the objectives in the charter.
• Develop and manage external as well as internal benchmarking partnerships to ensure a regular exchange of best practices in order to get additional ideas for improvements
• Partner with Industrial Engineers on site. Share and standardize best practices and processes by driving standard work
• Support of the project team during the implementation of Labor Management

Business Partner/Contacts:

• Director of DC Operations
• Director of Manufacturing Operations
• Regional DC Excellence Sr Manager
• Operations Leadership team
• Industrial Engineering
• Training
• Human Resources

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in applying LEAN concepts
• Demonstrated statistical and analytical problem-solving skills
• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills to all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Computer skills: MS Office suite, MS Project, MS Visio
• Fluent in English and local language, third language is a plus
• Analytical skills

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferred. Equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, and significant relevant experience in Continuous Improvement, Labor Management, Operations Excellence, Manufacturing, or Distribution Center Operations may be considered in lieu of a degree. Experience working in logistics or in manufacturing operations
• Education as a certified LEAN Ambassador or Six Sigma Green Belt preferred

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.

At adidas we offer a Hybrid work policy which requires attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week. For work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday. 

The working location of this position is Indianapolis, IN.

Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English. 

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.