Operations Improvement Engineer

Job Purpose

The Operations Improvement Engineer will monitor and improves processes in a daily basis to enhance productivity utilizing loss data (Asset Utilization-AU/Performance Portal-PP) to provide deep insight in efficiency of the operations and to identify most meaningful bad actors to work on and select appropriate approach to solve (Root Cause Analysis Problem Solving, L6S,..). Provide facilitative leadership to the Operators in problem resolution using Root Cause Problem Solving (RCPS) and statistical tools. Providing data evidence for adjusting equipment parameters to achieve best performance. 

Key Responsibilities

•    Monitors the process performance through metrics such as Right First Time (RFT), Asset Utilization (AU), Over Equipment Efficiency (OEE), Cost Productivity, Customer Complaints, Waste and Energy efficiencies indices and takes action as required to correct adverse trends, performing plant-based process investigations
•    Evaluates AU/PP data and generates specific reports that identify operations performance improvement opportunities to be pursues by other work processes.
•    Requires access to production data and be capable of interpreting this data in order to assign opportunity gaps
•    Provides data evidence and proposals for adjusting process and equipment parameters and run rates
•    Evaluates improves production variance performance and material efficiencies through the processes 
•    Supports identification of bottlenecks in AU process and optimize the use of the constrained resource increasing bottleneck efficiency and capacity 
•    Owner of the Capacity Model process for Reading keeping updated and in line with current processes and rates
•    Promotes a structured problem-solving approach, supports and challenges the workforce and local MT in direction setting, prioritization and implementation of improvement activities.
•    Drives and sustains the Industrial Excellence (IE) productivity initiatives (OEE, Material Efficiency, Direct Labor productivity) to increase plant efficiency 
•    Manages the improvement project funnel including scoping, project assignment, resource planning, tracking of progress and benefits and controlling sustainability of outcomes.
•    Runs own improvement projects delivering value to the organization.
•    Networks within the AkzoNobel Powder Sites and shares insights, good practices, problems and opportunities to promote improved performance and problem-solving across the company as well as encourages others to do the same.
•    Develops plans to improve the above performance through focused improvement activities (in conjunction with the operations group) along with IE initiatives.
•    Provides expertise for on site operations group during process related troubleshooting issues- hands on with production operators/quality techs.
•    Stays informed about, amongst others, relevant technology, company news and current quality and SHE standards, and takes action if necessary. Identifies what the pertinent information is to use.
•    Develops process standardization (where applicable) and contributes to reduce variability on the different site processes. 
•    Promotes the quality system through adhering to the elements of and being familiar with the philosophy, quality statement, quality manual, and procedures.
•    Attend and participate in Powder Plant Programs/Committees/Training as required, such as Department Safety, Plant Safety, Behavioral Safety, Housekeeping Audit Teams, ISO, Life Saving Rules or any other safety programs.
•    Participate in the Powder Safety Journey. Adhere to the Golden Principle which is   Simply to intervene to stop work if conditions or behavior are unsafe. 
•    Promotes health, safety and environmental regulations by ensuring that standards, policies, and procedures are adhered to in compliance with corporate, federal, state, and local requirements.
•    Performs other duties as required for the success of Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.

Level of Autonomy

High degree of autonomy. 
Needs to review data and be a self starter on troubleshooting and coordinating with managers. 
Know when to work with operators and when to escalate to next level.
Manage own workload and switch between projects from different departments.

Job Requirements

•    Bachelor’s degree in Chemist, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering discipline or relevant field with 2- 3 Years of experience in manufacturing support role in Chemical, Coatings Industry, ideally in Powder Coatings industry. 
•    Experience in the operation and maintenance of process equipment such as extruders, mills, mixers, utilities (air compressor, chiller, boiler, etc.).
•    ISO 9001 experience
•    Experience with coatings operations, and/or continuous manufacturing operation.
•    Six Sigma and Lean experience, Green Belt is a plus
•    Experience with safe work permit (PTW), management of change (MOC), and OSHA PSM requirements
•    Ability to sit, stand, walk, and climb in a manufacturing environment wearing appropriate PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed shoes)
•    Strong Microsoft Office, Power BI, and SharePoint skills.

Skills:
•    Teamwork and organizational skill
•    Decision making and leadership skill
•    Ability to motivate others to achieve result
•    Ability to handle multiple task and workload with competing priorities
•    Strong Analytical and problem-solving skill
•    Excellent communication skills in English, verbal and written, across multiple organizational levels
•    Ability to utilize usual IT tools and software e.g. SAP and MSOffice 
•    Ability to work independently, but as part of a team
•    Ability to manage projects, sometimes multiple projects
•    Ability to communicate to employees in different business units and different levels in same business unit
 

Compensation/Benefits/Rewards

The salary range for these skills is:  $75,000 to $85,000.  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:  Medical insurance with HSA • Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits • Annual bonus • 401K retirement savings with 6% company match • Generous vacation, personal and holiday pay • Paid Parental leave • Hybrid work for most exempt roles • Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks • Career growth opportunities on a regional and global scale • Tuition Reimbursement • Career growth opportunities • Employee referral bonus •