Continuous Improvement Manager

Overview

About Wieland:

As the copper and copper alloy specialist at the top of the world league, we provide support for our customer’s success from many locations and continents – backed by a reliable, flexible supply network and the best services of unvarying quality. In response to the global challenges of our time such as climate change, digitization, and minimized draw on resources, we design our products, services, and technologies to provide sustainable and innovative solutions. Wieland Thermal Solutions develops and produces heat transfer solutions for an energy-efficient world. An extensive range of high-performance tubes and heat exchangers guarantees the best heat transfer with a minimum of material and thermal input, thus enabling significant increases in capacity and energy efficiency.

What you'll do:

The primary responsibility of this role is to drive the Continuous Improvement Program at the Wheeling, IL Facility with Energy and Enthusiasm by adopting Lean Production and Six Sigma methodology. The CI Lead will utilize coaching, training and influencing skills to develop and  deploy the Wieland Operating System throughout operations and achieve sustainable results across key SQDC metrics. 

Train, coach and facilitate CI concepts and principles such as Lean Production, SIX SIGMA, A3 Thinking based on PDCA, Problem Solving, Cultural transformation and leadership standard work to all levels of the organization.

• Be a thought partner, leader, and driver of improvement along with provision of CI expertise to the plant manager and department managers to develop business and departmental transformation plans based on value stream thinking and Waste (MUDA) elimination across the Processes.
• Facilitate projects and support the operations managers in the development and implementation of the Wieland Operating System based on tools like 5S, MDI, TPM, SQDC, Visual Management and Kaizen Events.
• Be an active participant in MDI Meetings at appropriate levels. Coach teams in identifying problems, developing effective countermeasures, and sustaining solutions.
• Partner is “Safety Excellence” by complying with all Safety rules/processes, supporting the Safety Elements, and driving the organization to utilize CI thinking to identify, solve and sustain problems within the Safety Pillar.
• Provide CI training and coaching to salaried and hourly employees on CI concepts, principles, tools such as Lean, Practical Problem Solving, MDI Boards, Visual Management, 5S, Standardized Work, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, TPM and other tools based on business needs.
• Actively identify barriers to CI Program success and develop strategies to overcome these and gain alignment.
• Work with department managers to effectively measure and document the impact of process improvements on business results

Responsibilities

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing/Operations, or an equivalent level of degree.
• 5 years’ experience in project management, facilitating continuous improvement using lean tools and methodology and driving cultural transformations in a manufacturing environment - required
• Lean Certification required, which includes both education and the hands-on ability to lead teams and implement improvements.
• The role includes some travels to join Corporate CI events
• The candidate should be self-motivated/driven and be able to spread enthusiasm for improvement initiatives.
• Leadership, influence, listening, communication, and the ability to teach problem-solving skills to all levels in the plant are essential.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal communication skills and organization skills. Must be able to prepare and deliver presentations regarding project results.
• High energy, data driven, and results oriented.
• Proven ability to lead and facilitate cross-functional teams and implement improvements within an established time and sustain process improvements.

Qualifications

Joining Wieland’s family gives you…

• • Competitive Wages
  • Medical, Dental & Vision
  • 401(k) contribution match
  • Disability & Life
  • Paid Vacation & Holidays
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Wellness Program
  • On the job training