Continuous Improvement Manager (Architecture)

This individual will lead, facilitate, manage, and support in the improvement and redesign of processes and procedures utilizing various improvement methods and tools. Responsible for the development, implementation, and on-going assessment of the process improvement program. The Continuous Improvement Manager focus is on process analysis and re-engineering with an understanding of technical problems and solutions relating to current and future business environments. The position will create process change by working with business leaders to help standardize and document business processes and to support continuous improvement throughout the enterprise using accepted frameworks, disciplines, and practices.

Here are some of the great benefits that we offer:

• Competitive salary 
• Company paid health and dental benefits
• Paid vacation 
• 401K Plan with company match
• Opportunity for career stability and growth
• Tuition reimbursement program 

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of continuous improvement kaizens & projects.
• Assist in the identification, selection, and prioritization of opportunities to minimize cost, provide recommendations and/or deliver corresponding strategic solutions to support cost effectiveness and to enhance the stakeholder experience. This may include participating in evaluation of tools and utilities that boost productivity or improve processes.
• Assist with cost savings project identification, selection and prioritization.
• Provide training and coaching to front line leaders and other designated personnel in the use of continuous improvement tools and methodologies.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to teams, process owners, sponsors, leaders, and individuals using defined tools and techniques that will help realize gains associated with process improvement.
• Lead, train, and coach employees at all levels on lean and extrusion processes
• Provides evaluation / analysis of current process state and existing business documentation.
• Conducts interviews to understand and document processes.
• Develops business process maps in conjunction with other supporting documentation and artifacts spanning multiple functional areas, including value stream maps, procedures, technical documentation, and training-based scenarios for both current state and future state processes.
• Documents business process flows using Visio-style diagramming and manages version control of changing process definitions.
• Creates process models, procedures, specifications, diagrams, and charts to provide direction to the business, and/or a project team.
• Identifies and presents process data, as well as workflow constraints, in a clear, concise manner to all levels of management.
• Performs detailed process analysis to drive the design, implementation, and management of optimized business processes.
• Participates in process improvement through stakeholder interviews and facilitated sessions with diverse groups to gather cross-functional issues and opportunities, recommending best practices as appropriate.
• Effectively manages change and conflict during process deployment.
• Research, reviews, and analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency of existing Business Processes
• Contribute to the development of manufacturing strategy.  Define the current condition of the facility to identify opportunities and create a target condition, with action plans to improve operational and financial results. 
• Follow projects through from conception to completion, with a focus on meeting stated objectives.
• Maintain, compile, analyze, and report metrics of improvement projects.
• Identify, assess, facilitate, design, and coach implementation of CI methods, techniques, and procedures, including daily management, problem solving, TPM/OEE, 5S and visual management.  Use these tools to lead and facilitate continuous improvement.
• Ensures a culture is in place that puts the safety and welfare of our employees ahead of all other goals.
• Facilitates successful kaizen, problem solving and rapid improvement process events with both internal and external consultants, customers, and suppliers, with a major emphasis on locally focused improvement.  Provides the support for all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements established during the events.
• Provide a plant-wide framework for CI implementation and facilitate the execution of this strategy.
• Lead and coach others in determining specific measures of performance and productivity improvements.  Provide training and consultative assistance for all levels of the organization.
• Ensure that all work activities are performed in accordance with established safety and environmental standards.
• Maintain full compliance with Company policies and procedures and conduct all activities in accordance with the Sierra Aluminum principals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education 

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, process management, or operations.
• A graduate degree in business or MBA would be beneficial.

Qualifications

• Analyzing company processes and procedures.
• Developing process enhancement strategies.
• Investigating shortfalls, issues, and complaints in current business processes.
• Establishing norms and standards of company performance.
• Monitoring staff performance and organizational processes.
• Collaborating with other stakeholders to enhance productivity and staff satisfaction.
• Communicating ideas and opinions to other members of management.
• Managing staff cohorts and teams of various sizes.
• Training, mentoring, and guiding team members in new processes.
• Staying up-to-date with developments in management and process optimization.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to both develop solutions and identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Teamwork – Job requires the ability to function as part of a small team, as well as the ability to work independently.
• Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Strong financial literacy — Job requires the ability to drive P&L change in standard costing system through well thought out projects with appropriate ROI.
• Disciplined Execution — Job requires holding the Operations team accountable through daily execution to the plan. When required, he/she will need to be able to dive into details to ensure operational success.
• Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Customer Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to develop lean and continuous improvement methods.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to technical and non-technical audiences of various levels in the organization, e.g., executive, management, individual contributors
• Excellent training/presentation skills to educate the organization on new or updated processes.
• Willingness to shares relevant technical, process, and/or industry knowledge and expertise to other resources.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, interpersonal, team building, negotiation, conflict management and time management skills
• Is resourceful and proactive in gathering information and sharing ideas.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in lean process improvement and kaizen performance.
• Five years' experience in process optimization, operations, or business management.
• A sharp eye for identifying weak points in processes and organizational structures.
• A strategic and analytical mindset.
• An excellent communicator with top-notch presentation skills.
• A thorough understanding of the latest process enhancement strategies.
• Dynamic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Leadership and mentoring skills.
• Confidence in your abilities to lead organizational change.
• Computer Skills - knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

The annual base salary range for this position is $111,040 - $152,680. If you are hired, your annual base pay will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base pay range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued wage growth.