Continuous Improvement Specialist

Job Purpose

The Continuous Improvement Specialist (CIS) role is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement (CI).  The CIS is a subject matter expert in methodologies/activities (Lean, Six Sigma, ALPS) across all areas of the site (Plan/Make/Deliver). Facilitate VSM / Waste and Loss analysis to coach, execute and deliver projects that drive business results. Responsible for training, coaching and supporting CI Project Practitioners and Sponsors. Train and develop Site Leaders in the CI Curriculum and in the use of Lean Tools, Process Confirmation, Gemba Walks, Coaching and Root Cause Analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Build Organizational Capabilities:
•    Develop and expand local capabilities in applying continuous improvement tools and methods (Lean, Six Sigma) and promote a structured problem-solving approach. Inject passion for this activity by providing a vision and direction for the future development and performance of the site.
•    Deploy and sustain the ALPS manufacturing program including a coaching support structure to drive CI initiatives and ensure sustainability of improvements 
•    Coach Advanced and Lead Practitioners and local staff/MT on site and give reinforcement training on selected topics

Site Performance:
•    Support and challenge the workforce and local MT in direction setting, prioritization (timing, resources, and sequence of actions) and implementation of improvement activities to best achieve the targets for the key performance indicators of the yearly site improvement plan. This includes the organizational and strategic deployment throughout the site.
•    Review the ALPS operating framework (goals & targets, KPIs, operating processes, people) to ensure compliance with corporate and BA requirements and highlight to the site management team areas of concern to agree corrective actions.

Improvement Portfolio Management:
•    Identify, validate, initiate and drive new improvement opportunities and promote the passion for excellence and delivering on commitments values
•    Manage the improvement project funnel including scoping, project assignment, resource planning, tracking of progress and benefits and controlling sustainability of outcomes
•    Run own improvement projects delivering value to the organization
•    Will be responsible for various Digital project implementations, including capital project management.

ALPS Deployment:
•    Lead/ support the local ALPS implementation and build-up of required capabilities and ensure ALPS full and successful implementation and practical application on a daily basis
•    Network within the AkzoNobel CI community and share insights, problems and opportunities to promote improved performance and problem-solving across the company as well as encourage others to do the same

Job Requirements

•    5 years of relevant work experience (operations, production, supply chain, maintenance, logistics, process engineering, continuous improvement, etc.)  
•    Bachelor’s degree preferred (technical, business, engineering, or chemistry preferred).   
•    CI Practitioner with 4 years of experience in continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, TPM
•    Excellent communication, interpersonal and coaching skills, influencing, entrepreneurship, result oriented, negotiation, content experience.
•    Project management capabilities (Capital/DMAIC/Lean)
•    Experience in resin/chemical batch manufacturing preferred
•    Strong change agent at both management and shop floor levels
•    Prior line management or team leader experience; knows how to use the skills and knowledge of the team to design and implement solutions
•    Solid project and stakeholder management experience 
•    Strong analysis and problem-solving skills, able to identify and structure issues, run accurate (also statistical) analyses and synthesize recommendations
•    Strong computer skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, SharePoint, JMP); able to prepare various formats of documentation associated with CI programs

Rewards & Benefits

Base salary range for this role is: $80,000 to $90,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

• Benefits beginning Day 1
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Annual bonus
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits
• Generous vacation, personal and holiday pay
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career growth opportunities
• Active Diversity and Inclusion Networks

Competencies