9 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Lean Manufacturing Specialist
Skill definition-Aligning, executing, and managing JIT inventory system with raw materials in accordance with the production schedules to meet product demands.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Documents best practices on how to maintain JIT cycling inventory goals.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records and tracks inventory levels to ensure prompt production delivery and meet JIT requirements.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains optimum JIT inventory to reach turn cycle average and increase inventory turnover.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Integrates JIT standards in overseeing work-in-process and raw materials inventory to optimize manufacturing operations.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops best practices in JIT to drive manufacturing scalability and support customer needs.
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Skill definition-Applying the knowledge of Manufacturing industry's concepts, techniques, regulations and trends to diverse situations.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains how advancements in technology and software improve manufacturing efficiency.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Lists critical competitors for a specific type of product in the manufacturing industry.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains awareness of cGMPs (Current Good Manufacturing Practices), industry standards, and modern techniques.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors the organization's ability to meet industry and customer requirements.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes tailored standard operating procedures specific to the manufacturing process.
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4 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Lean Manufacturing Specialist
Skill definition-Creating continuous improvement productivity by engaging employees to eliminate waste and increase the profitability of our business.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the key principles of the Kaizen methodologies in eliminating waste.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies all forms of waste in the plant through Kaizen methodologies to improve productivity.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Provides toolsets and metrics through reports and system functionalities for Kaizen projects.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages Lean activities, including assisting in planning, performing, and sustaining Kaizen events.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops value stream maps utilized to support process owners in identifying and eliminating waste.
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Skill definition-Tracking the production and shipment of parts and materials through Kanban to improve manufacturing efficiency.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains how the Kanban inventory system works in tracking production processes.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers information from Kanban cards such as card assignments and attachments to maintain shipment orders.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Partners with related departments to identify necessary changes in different Kanban levels.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Facilitates the upgrade of the Kanban system to improve Inventory turns and eliminate part shortages.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates Kanban programs to reduce inventory and improve service levels.
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9 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Lean Manufacturing Specialist
Skill definition-Knowledge of and ability to apply a set of quantifiable measurements to determine how effectively an individual, team or organization is achieving a business objective.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the concepts and purposes of Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows up on regular action items related to KPI implementation.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Defines KPIs in terms of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART) goal criteria.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Develops and delivers training programs on KPI practices to employees and managers.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Defines and modifies strategic KPIs to drive organizational objectives and priorities.
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Skill definition-Ability to design a group process, elicit contributions from group members, stimulate a focused group discussion, and achieve a desired outcome.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes similarities and differences between the role of facilitator and role of meeting chairperson.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents different techniques in applying facilitation to help encourage thinking and participation.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains group's focus on established scope and goals.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Drafts programs that enable open dialogues for groups and teams in the workplace.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Deals effectively with ambiguity, resistance, and resignation in a group setting.
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Summary of Lean Manufacturing Specialist skills and competencies
There are 9 hard skills for Lean Manufacturing Specialist, Just-in-Time (JIT), Manufacturing Industry, Manufacturing Operations, etc.
4 general skills for Lean Manufacturing Specialist, KaiZen, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing, etc.
9 soft skills for Lean Manufacturing Specialist, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Facilitation, Process Improvement, etc.
While the list totals 22 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Lean Manufacturing Specialist, he or she needs to be proficient in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), be proficient in Facilitation, and be proficient in Process Improvement.