Continuous Improvement Lead

Position Summary:

The Continuous Improvement Lead is responsible for deploying, sustaining, and enhancing Continuous Improvement initiatives within the manufacturing plant. This role supports plant operations by driving efficiency improvements, ensuring quality standards, and fostering a culture of Operational Excellence. Through the implementation of structured improvement programs, the Continuous Improvement Lead plays a key role in optimizing processes and promoting a mindset of continuous growth and innovation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Deploys, sustains, and strengthens the implementation of Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives within the manufacturing plant and other functions, including the Bright Light Program, CI Forum, 5S Program, Improvement and Coaching Kata projects, and Lean and Six Sigma project implementation.
• Monitors the Continuous Improvement Group’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and initiates necessary interventions to ensure target achievement.
• Facilitates the identification of potential improvement projects and assigns them to project teams.
• Supervises project teams, tracks their progress against project plans and targets, and reports updates to the Site Leadership Team.
• Trains, mentors, and supports project teams in successfully completing Lean, Six Sigma, Improvement Kata, and other continual improvement projects.
• Leads and executes moderate to high-impact, complex continuous improvement projects within established cost, time, and efficiency objectives.
• Conducts training sessions on various Continuous Improvement methodologies and tools, including 5S, Lean principles, Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma (Yellow Belt, Green Belt), Improvement and Coaching Kata, and Problem-Solving Methodology.
• Co-facilitates lean/process improvement workshops to drive solutions focused on eliminating redundancies, automating processes, standardizing workflows, and defining best practices.
• Supports the Advantek Zero Defect Program and Quality Improvement Program for key customers by facilitating relevant improvement projects, preparing reports, and presenting updates to the Site Leadership Team or customers.
• Assists functional departments with data analysis and problem-solving activities as needed.
• Trains and mentors the Continuous Improvement Engineer in all aspects of the role, ensuring skill development and growth.
• Evaluates the Continuous Improvement Engineer’s performance quarterly through the MOPP process and develops necessary improvement plans.
• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures in job-related activities
• Participates in planning for policies, procedures, systems, problem-solving, and performance monitoring by serving on standing and ad hoc committees, task forces, and project teams.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities related to or implied by those listed above.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Proficient in applying various Continuous Improvement techniques and tools, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PDCA, 8D Methodology, 7 QC Tools, SPC, MSA, and FMEA.
• Knowledgeable in Advantek’s Quality Management System (QMS), Environmental Management System (EMS), and manufacturing processes and functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, leadership, planning, and organizational skills.
• Above-average written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, as well as statistical software such as SAS JMP and Minitab.
• Preferably holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Statistics.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification with at least three years of experience in leading and supervising Continuous Improvement projects.

People Manager Responsibility:

• Trains and mentors the Continuous Improvement Engineer in all aspects of the role.
• Evaluates the Continuous Improvement Engineer’s performance quarterly through the MOPP process and develops necessary improvement plans.
• Supervises project teams to ensure the timely completion of Continuous Improvement projects.
• Holds authority to:
• Qualify and approve submitted Bright Light improvement ideas before implementation, ensuring that the CI Engineer tracks implementation verification and effectiveness validation.
• Initiate necessary interventions to achieve the Continuous Improvement Group’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets.
• Identify and address non-conformance to implemented improvement actions from Lean Six Sigma projects, Kata, Bright Lights, and the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), escalating unresolved issues to the immediate superior or concerned department head.
• Conduct training on various Continuous Improvement techniques and tools, including 5S, Lean principles, Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma (Yellow Belt, Green Belt), Improvement and Coaching Kata, and Problem-Solving Methodology.
• Request hiring for a replacement Continuous Improvement Engineer, if necessary.
• Approve purchase requests for the Continuous Improvement Group’s regular supplies and operational needs.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Regularly required to talk and listen.
• Prolonged periods of working at a computer monitor.
• Exposure to varied working conditions in a manufacturing environment.