Position Summary:
The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for developing and executing the Company's Continuous Improvement strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities. This position serves as an internal change agent, partnering with Operations, Engineering, Sales, Administration, Quality, Supply Chain, Safety, and Executive Leadership to improve productivity, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement through Lean Manufacturing principles.
The Continuous Improvement Manager leads enterprise-wide Operational Excellence initiatives, develops standardized Lean systems, facilitates strategic improvement projects, and builds a culture of continuous improvement through coaching, training, and collaboration. This position influences organizational performance through partnership rather than direct operational ownership and is responsible for developing the Continuous Improvement function as the organization grows.
Must embrace and support the Company's core values of Accountability, Commitment, and Teamwork.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership:
• Develop and execute the Company's multi-year Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Partner with Executive Leadership to identify strategic opportunities that improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Productivity.
• Build annual Continuous Improvement roadmaps, priorities, and project portfolios that support organizational growth.
• Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation while ensuring sustainable results.
• Establish key performance indicators and executive dashboards to measure Operational Excellence performance.
Lean Manufacturing & Operational Excellence:
• Lead the deployment and sustainment of the NWPX Lean Management System across all manufacturing locations.
• Facilitate Lean transformation through Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, Daily Management, Visual Management, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis, PDCA, Kanban, SMED, One Piece Flow, Error Proofing and other Lean methodologies.
• Develop standardized Lean processes, tools and best practices that can be implemented consistently across all facilities.
• Identify and eliminate waste throughout manufacturing, administrative and support functions.
• Conduct operational assessments and recommend improvements that increase productivity, quality, customer service and operational performance.
• Develop and maintain systems to ensure improvements are sustained through audits, leader standard work and performance reviews.
• Measure and report Continuous Improvement performance on an ongoing basis.
Continuous Improvement Leadership:
• Champion a culture of Continuous Improvement through coaching, mentoring and servant leadership.
• Develop Lean training programs and facilitate hands-on training for leaders and employees.
• Coach site leadership in structured problem solving utilizing ACT, PDCA and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
• Foster employee engagement by encouraging participation in Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Build organizational capability through development of standardized Continuous Improvement tools and training.
• Provide functional leadership and coaching to future Lean Coordinators as the Continuous Improvement organization expands.
Cross Functional Partnership:
• Partner with Operations leadership to improve manufacturing flow, labor productivity and process stability.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain to improve manufacturing processes, product quality and material flow.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives through Lean principles, Kanban systems and improved material management processes.
• Partner with Production Planning to improve scheduling, capacity utilization and on-time delivery through data-driven process improvements.
• Support capital improvement projects through process analysis, workflow optimization and return-on-investment evaluations.
• Partner with Safety leadership to integrate Lean principles into safety initiatives, standard work and visual management systems.
• Collect operational metrics, analyze data and recommend strategic improvement opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with Continuous Improvement, Operations and Engineering personnel throughout NWPX.
• Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position currently has no direct reports.
As the Continuous Improvement function expands, this position will provide leadership, coaching and functional direction to Lean Coordinators supporting manufacturing operations across the organization.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
· Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
· Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
· Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instruction in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
· Excellent communications, relationship-building, and facilitation skills.
· Strong computer skills necessary. Advanced MS office skills and statistical software packages (Minitab etc.).
· Thorough understanding of multiple business areas to include Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Safety and Quality Control.
· Advanced knowledge of Lean principles and applications.
· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
· Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
· Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of executives, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
· Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
· Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
· Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
· Strong project management, facilitation and change management skills.
· Proven ability to develop strategic improvement plans and execute complex Continuous Improvement initiatives.
· Advanced knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, Operational Excellence systems and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
· Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data, financial reports, legal documents and develop actionable business recommendations.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business or related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience leading Continuous Improvement or Lean Manufacturing initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success implementing enterprise-wide Lean Manufacturing systems and cultural transformation.
• Experience leading cross-functional strategic improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop leaders at all organizational levels.
• Experience utilizing Lean Manufacturing tools including Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, PDCA, Root Cause Analysis, Kanban and Daily Management Systems.
• Manufacturing leadership experience is highly preferred.
CERTIFICATES:
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred.
• Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) certification preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing certification preferred.
• OSHA 30 certification preferred.
Company DescriptionNorthwest Pipe Company is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of welded steel and precast water infrastructure products, employing over 900 skilled workers in locations across North America. With positions ranging from the manufacturing floor to sales, and from engineering to administration and management, Northwest Pipe offers rewarding work experiences and opportunities to grow your career. We know our success depends on the unique contributions of our diverse employees, and we're committed to promoting and valuing diversity and inclusion as we continue to grow our team.Company DescriptionNorthwest Pipe Company is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of welded steel and precast water infrastructure products, employing over 900 skilled workers in locations across North America. With positions ranging from the manufacturing floor to sales, and from engineering to administration and management, Northwest Pipe offers rewarding work experiences and opportunities to grow your career. We know our success depends on the unique contributions of our diverse employees, and we're committed to promoting and valuing diversity and inclusion as we continue to grow our team. Read Less
WHAT NWPX OFFERS YOU:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D InsurancePaid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time401k Retirement Savings Plan with Employer MatchBonus PotentialUp to $5,000 per year Tuition ReimbursementSafety Footwear and Eyewear Voucher (Day 1 of Employment)Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Opportunities for Career AdvancementValues-Driven Culture Committed to Equal Opportunities and Safety
ABOUT THE JOB:
Under supervision perform mechanical maintenance and preventative maintenance work. Diagnose and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and general plant equipment or other tasks as assigned. Coordinate with other maintenance personnel and production crews as needed. Work on special projects with Maintenance Mechanic and/or Plant Manager.
Essential Functions & Major Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Fabricate new equipment, modify existing equipment as needed. Welding and fabrication experience is preferred. Maintain Plant Equipment: Planetary Concrete Mixer, Aggregate Conveyor System, Combination Rebar Machines, Air Compressors, etc.Work with other mechanics repairing equipment as needed.Perform general maintenance duties throughout facility.Help maintain safety, environmental and other equipment and programs as needed.Troubleshoot, repair and maintain machinery. Troubleshooting and repair of 120V, 240V, and 480V electrical systems that power plant equipment. PLC troubleshooting experience. Maintain machinery.Perform preventative maintenance on machinery.Perform periodic inspections on overhead cranes. Design and build new equipment for various processes. Modify old equipment as processes change.Work with Plant Manager on projects.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and written, and have basic communication skills; interpersonal, written, and verbal, for dealing with all levels and associates, and reading instruction and parts manuals.Must have a basic knowledge of mechanics, hydraulics, or electronics.Must have experience working on industrial machinery and equipment.Must be able to read blue prints.Must have basic computer skills, and experience using CMMS systems.Must be able to operate the following tools and equipment:Hand toolsMobile and stationary equipment in plant.Drill pressPower toolsScissor Lift/Boom Lift/Forklift
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
High school diploma or equivalent required, additional technical education and/or training is preferred.3 - 5 years of Production Manufacturing maintenance support is highly regarded.
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Full list of anticipated physical demands for this position and detail on our work environment are below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Except where prohibited by state law, offers of employment may be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, drug test, and/or physical examination, as determined by the essential functions and physical requirements of the position.
NWPX Infrastructure is committed to equal employment opportunity. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
NWPX Infrastructure reserves the right to close the position, with or without notice, if a qualified candidate is identified prior to the close date.
Company DescriptionNorthwest Pipe Company is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of welded steel and precast water infrastructure products, employing over 900 skilled workers in locations across North America. With positions ranging from the manufacturing floor to sales, and from engineering to administration and management, Northwest Pipe offers rewarding work experiences and opportunities to grow your career. We know our success depends on the unique contributions of our diverse employees, and we're committed to promoting and valuing diversity and inclusion as we continue to grow our team.Company DescriptionNorthwest Pipe Company is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of welded steel and precast water infrastructure products, employing over 900 skilled workers in locations across North America. With positions ranging from the manufacturing floor to sales, and from engineering to administration and management, Northwest Pipe offers rewarding work experiences and opportunities to grow your career. We know our success depends on the unique contributions of our diverse employees, and we're committed to promoting and valuing diversity and inclusion as we continue to grow our team. Read Less
