Regional Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist - Indianapolis, IN
Our client is seeking a Regional Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive the sustainability and enhancement of their Performance System at the regional level, in coordination with global teams. This role involves auditing, developing, and supporting the implementation and improvement of their Performance System. Responsibilities include providing technical support, conducting process studies, solving problems, harmonizing processes, and managing routine implementations.
Core Responsibilities
- Serve as an organizational transformation agent for the implementation of the Performance System.
- Lead the implementation and sustainability of the management system and related activities, including routine dashboards, OEE measurement, and other indicators.
- Act as the regional point of contact for Performance System topics, such as deployment, OEE, SMED, process mapping, etc.
- Deliver training on the management system, including concepts, tools, and deliverables to facilitate adoption and cultural change.
- Establish a baseline of regional KPIs and support leadership teams in target setting according to regional, financial, and functional goals.
- Support the completion of RCA analysis and actions for safety, quality, service, cost reduction, etc.
- Lead gap analysis to recommend process improvements at the regional or plant level to achieve targets and organizational effectiveness.
- Drive and support cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and safety/quality workstreams and processes to achieve regional targets by prioritizing efforts (PDCA, LSS, Kaizen, etc.).
- Suggest improvements in the management system based on implementation and sustainability experience.
- Support plant teams in achieving sustainability goals using CI tools.
- Participate in regional and local manufacturing excellence and Performance System team meetings to identify new practices for plant success.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, ideation workshops, RCA studies, and other CI activities to support plant performance enhancement.
- Utilize analytical and problem-solving skills to support plant management in identifying key success drivers and executing improvement objectives.
- Lead or act as a change agent to achieve continuous improvement and a performance-focused culture through collaboration with all business and functional units in the region.
- Collaborate with plant leaders to implement Lean tools such as SMED, process, and value stream mapping.
- Coach and mentor plant teams and individuals to ensure the successful completion of Performance System implementation, CI activities, and troubleshooting.
- Support the preparation of skill matrix deployment as part of the management system.
Qualifications
- Proven change management skills with expert-level influencing capabilities.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering.
- Experience in Process/Industrial Engineering.
- Training in Lean Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing Practices, and SPC (Green Belt).
- Strong knowledge of digital systems, including OEE, integrated action tracking, and KPI reporting.
- Experience with Power BI, SQL, electronic paperwork, or other digital process improvement solutions.
- Experience implementing OEE.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience implementing lean management systems.
- Experience with corn processing and equipment.
- Black Belt certification (desired but not required).
- 3-5 years of continuous improvement experience (preferred).
Required Behaviors and Skills
- Self-starter with strong leadership skills and a high degree of integrity.
- Ability to use data and facts to articulate the need for change and build commitment from others.
- Strong organization, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
- Effective communication abilities.
- Strong ethics and alignment with corporate values.
- Result-driven with a sense of urgency.
- Proactive, innovative, and determined to succeed.
- High discipline in routine execution.
