Continuous Improvement Analyst

Continuous Improvement Analyst

Location: Spring Lake, MI
Department: Demand Planning & Inventory Management
Reports To: Senior Manager, Demand Planning & Inventory Management

About the Role

EQI is seeking a motivated and innovative Continuous Improvement Analyst to help drive operational excellence across our Demand Planning, Inventory Management, and Customer Order Management functions.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology to make work easier and more efficient. You will work closely with business teams to identify inefficiencies, automate repetitive tasks, improve system utilization, and introduce AI-powered solutions that enhance productivity and decision-making. This role plays a key part in the department's digital transformation journey, combining Lean, continuous improvement, data analytics, and AI to deliver sustainable business results.

The successful candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, excellent technical skills, and a passion for continuous improvement and emerging technologies.

What You'll Do

Process Improvement

• Analyze business processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Document current-state and future-state processes.
• Lead and support Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives, including value stream mapping (VSM), Kaizen events, and process standardization projects.
• Assist with root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Help standardize and simplify business processes across departments.
• Coach, mentor, and train team members, and lead change management activities to drive adoption of Lean, digital, and AI solutions.

Automation & Digital Transformation

• Develop automation solutions to reduce manual effort and repetitive tasks.
• Create tools and workflows that improve productivity and data accuracy.
• Support implementation of workflow automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Help develop and execute the department's digitalization roadmap using tools such as Power BI, Power Apps, and automated workflows.
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify and prioritize automation opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects from concept through implementation, collaborating with stakeholders across sites and functions.

ERP & MRP Optimization

• Support continuous improvement of ERP and MRP business processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve data quality, reporting, and system utilization.
• Participate in testing and implementation of system enhancements and new functionality.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolving process-related system issues.

AI & Business Technology

• Leverage tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and other AI technologies to improve business processes.
• Develop AI prompts, templates, and best practices for business users.
• Research emerging technologies and identify opportunities for implementation.
• Identify bottlenecks in planning, inventory, and order management processes and apply AI and automation to improve productivity, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Support AI adoption and user training initiatives across the department.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Build and maintain reports, dashboards, and analytical tools.
• Collect, consolidate, and validate data from multiple sources to improve visibility across planning and inventory functions.
• Analyze operational performance data and identify trends and opportunities.
• Support KPI reporting and process performance measurement.
• Develop business insights that support data-driven decision making.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• College diploma or university degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in business analysis, supply chain, operations, process improvement, or a similar role.
• Experience working with ERP systems and business data.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Experience with Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT, or similar AI tools.
• Experience with Power BI, Power Query, Power Automate, or Power Apps, including dashboard development and data visualization.
• Experience with lean tools such as value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, one-piece flow, & Kanban.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills to execute CI and Lean plans using these and other methodologies.
• Basic knowledge of SQL, Python, or other data tools.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with NetSuite, Epicor or other ERP/MRP systems.
• Demand planning, purchasing, supply chain experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Key Competencies

• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Analytical Thinking
• Process Mapping and Documentation
• Technical Curiosity
• Innovation and Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Change Management and Stakeholder Engagement
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Adaptability and Learning Agility

Pay: $77,600.00 - $93,600.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Spring Lake, MI 49456