Continuous Improvement Specialist

Description

As a Continuous Improvement Leader, you will utilize Lean Six Sigma tools and partner with our talented cross-functional teams to increase efficiencies and eliminate waste.  Together, your expert insights will develop solutions that impact business operations and budgets.   

This is a hybrid role based out of Holland, MI.

What You’ll Do: 

• Plan, develop and execute Continuous Improvement activities within the assigned Business Unit(s) utilizing Lean Six Sigma tools. 
• Assist in the prioritization of initiatives 
• Establish measurement criteria, quantify targeted results, and identify anticipated benefits 
• Improve processes by eliminating waste 
• Maintain JR’s database of continuous improvement activities 
• Manage cross-functional teams to successful completion of continuous improvement initiatives by: 
  • Generating clear problem statements/gap analyses 
  • Identifying actionable metrics and benchmarks to track improvements 
  • Training and empowering each team to lead projects and work to share best practices with other Business Units 
  • Providing motivation, a sense of urgency, focus, and direction to team members 
  • Preparing and presenting regular updates summarizing project results 
  • Evaluating and ensuring project effectiveness 

• Facilitate for targeted activities in support of the business including, but not limited to: 
  • Lessons learned documentation 
  • Value-stream mapping 
  • Rapid Improvement Kaizen event 
  • Identify and eliminate barriers to continuous improvement 

• Train others (managers and individual contributors) in Lean and Six Sigma tools and methodologies with emphasis on problem identification, establishing base lines, and root cause analysis. 
• Coach/mentor individuals at all levels of the company who are engaged in process improvement, problem identification and solution implementation. 
• Look for and anticipate the need for improvement and serve as a catalyst for change. 
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships across all business functions and all levels of the Organization. 

Note:  This list of responsibilities is by no means inclusive; however, it is intended to be a guideline for activities. 

What You’ll Bring: 

• Bachelor’s degree or 7+ years of experience deploying Lean Six Sigma, including experience in both direct and indirect (transactional) processes 
• Six Sigma Black Belt and/or SME Silver Lean certification required 
• Have led at least 10 continuous improvement projects and/or formal Kaizen events 
• 3+ years supervisory experience of at least 5 direct reports would be preferred OR demonstrated experience influencing others without direct authority

Skills You’ll Have: 

• Must have the ability to become proficient in company systems, processes, and tool 
• Experience in custom engineered solution businesses as well as factory automation is ideal 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and MiniTab. 

Company Overview: 

At JR Automation, our team of experts leverage the latest technologies, innovative thinking, and decades of experience to meet the automation needs of our customers all over the world.  Founded in 1980, JR Automation now has over 2,200 employees at 27 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.   

Come think, solve, and create with us!