Continuous Improvement Specialist

General Summary

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for ensuring daily production targets are met through effective leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving with a focus on continuous improvement and process engineering. Acting as a front-line manager, the Continuous Improvement Specialist will provide direct instruction and guidance to system operators while partnering with Maintenance, Onsite IT, and external partners to ensure system up-time. They will monitor and improve organizational processes with the aim of making them as efficient as possible.

Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze existing business processes, develop short- and long-term strategies for the company by incorporating Six Sigma, Agile and other practices.
• Coordinate and lead key projects for improvement across the organization
• Creating measurable project standards and comparing project results against them.
• Promote compliance with all relevant company policies and government regulations including OSHA
• Lead by example through results-focused, people-centered direction, feedback, and coaching
• Develop effective processes to maintain system performance through shift changes, high volume periods, and irregular operations in conjunction with other stakeholders
• Maintain open and transparent relationships with customer and other vendor contacts to ensure maximum system performance
• Ensure operational process consistency and employee development through the design and execution of uniform training and assessment programs
• Follow established escalation guidelines in the event of system downtime or irregular operations
• Analyze operational processes and equipment, complete root cause analysis and drive equipment reliability and process stability.
• Leverage detailed reporting to understand system performance and implement continuous improvement projects around employee performance and system operations
• Coordinate with Maintenance Team to ensure minimal system impact in the execution of preventive and ad hoc maintenance activities
• Participate and lead (as necessary) team, site, and customer meetings to ensure open, effective communications centered on collaborative efforts to meet production goals

Education & Experience

• Required: High school diploma with 1-3 years' experience in a supervisory in a fast-paced warehouse, light industry, or related environment
• Preferred: Associates degree in a relevant subject with 3-5 years' experience in a supervisory role in a fast-paced warehouse, light industry, or related environment
• Familiarity with automated material handling systems strongly preferred

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to coordinate and supervise a team of frontline system operators
• Knowledge and basic skills in Lean Manufacturing and Project Management.
• Strong understanding of automated material handling systems
• Familiarity with basic logistics and supply chain principles
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to prioritize multiple tasks and workload
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of OSHA Safety guidelines

Travel

• Occasional travel within North America may be required to undergo training and/or support sister sites; rare international travel may be necessary in support of company-wide initiatives

Scheduling & Availability

• Must be able to work all shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must be available by phone 24/7 in the event of irregular operations and/or escalation

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work at heights of 80-100 feet
• Ability to adapt to a warehouse environment with temperatures ranging from +34 degrees to -15 degrees
• Ability to walk/stand during a designated shift
• Lifting, pulling and pushing up to 50 pounds