Director, Value Stream Operation - Polymer Seals & Packing

The Director, Value Stream Operations is responsible for all aspects within the value stream, specifically but not limited to, planning, quality, customer care, IT, shipping, costing, quality, productivity and engineering. This position is responsible for developing the annual Value Stream “Plan-to-Win” operations strategy where all leading and lagging metrics are determined, process improvement priorities are identified and talent gaps characterized with structured resolution plans deployed. This position maintains ultimate responsibility for all Value Stream SQDIP performance results. In this role there is a purposeful intent on building a Customer First culture focused on Safety, Quality and Speed to market. Interactions with sales and customers is required to address performance gaps and to share service enhancements. This position is responsible for all management and supervisory staff level positions this responsibility includes consistent focus on performance, accountability and efficient problem solving effectiveness. This is an absolute execution results driven position where strategic planning and tactical execution are the necessary tools to ensure an exceptional customer experience is consistently delivered. There is a deliberate focused attention on waste elimination to effectively manage costs, realize consistent quality and activate all opportunities to gain speed. This role has mentoring and professional development responsibilities for all value stream employees.

Job Model:  On-Site

On-Site positions will require employees to work on-site for each of their scheduled shifts.

• Consistent, regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of this job.

• Support the Executive Committee in creating a company-wide culture of customer focus by engaging with customers, creating insights on how Chesterton can achieve better customer support and working closely with all functional areas to improve.

• Actively engage with our customer and partner base to both present the benefits of Chesterton and use excellent business acumen to gain insights on areas for improvement in customer experience process.

• Develop and deploy the annual value stream “Plan-to-Win” operational strategy.

• Oversee and ensure the effective implementation of the Chesterton Quality System.

• Utilize insights and key leading indicators to prioritize areas for improvement and engage with cross-functional leaders to ensure they take actions for improvement. Support the establishment of capable teams and work with functional and cross-functional leaders periodically to follow up on progress and report back to Senior Management on actions and improvements that have been made.

• Develop and coach stakeholders to build AWC’s capability to applying customer insights for the creation, implementation and sustainability of best in class service.

• Establish a culture focused on the elimination of waste and elevation of speed.

• Identify, motivate, inspire and influence employees to become customer focused with the intent of driving towards sustainable solutions in order to realize growth targets.

• Recommend processes, technology / tools, education and best practices to increase adoption of lean manufacturing concepts and principles.

• Drive sales and production planning to the development of a formal forecasting process to ensure enhancements to lead-times are achieved.

• Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve and enhance productivity through formal and informal voice of customer feedback, defect identification and elimination, and process monitoring and control enhancements.

• Use business analytics and intelligence to provide insight to all relevant stakeholders to create and drive change to improve Value Stream performance in a measurable and sustainable manner.

• Provide performance management leadership and support to ensure all employees effectively contribute to overall success of the Value Stream.

• Identify talent needs and establish developmental plans to address these needs and enhance the depth of talent within the Value Stream.

• Work is highly independent, with minimum instruction or supervision.

• Special instructions given by manager for new assignments.

• Contacts are with all levels of personnel including executive and senior management, across organizations, and internal and external customers in various organizations.

• Continuous customer contact which will require global travel.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong communication skills.

• Global business understanding with sensitivity to cultural norms and practices.

• Business Excellence and Total Quality Management knowledge and experience.

• Knowledge of process control design and improvement including process mapping and improvement tools e.g. Kaizen , six sigma analytical and conceptual skills.

• Team building and project management skills in a global environment.

• Effective leadership skills. Ability to inspire individuals to take pride in their work, perform in a team environment and achieve daily production goals.

• Strong management skills including the ability to make quick decisions with minimal supervision, goal setting, delegation, coaching, and motivating.

• Advanced written, and verbal communication Strong ability to manage conflict, both interpersonal and situational.

• Advanced problem-solving, decision-making and planning abilities.

• Flexible, open minded, and able to think creatively to solve complex operational issues while maintaining open communications and a cooperative work environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration or other equivalent discipline.

• 6-10 years’ experience in Operations Management with a global customer expectation environment.

• Six Sigma Black Belt a plus.

• Verbal and written communication skills at all levels of the organization.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Ability to identify areas for improvement and solutions for preventative and corrective actions.

• Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing in English and other major languages as appropriate (e.g. French, German, Italian, Spanish etc.).

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

• Knowledge of effective measurement tools e.g. Balanced Scorecard.

• Computer literary skills.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position will require both domestic and international travel. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Moderate noise (i.e.: computer printers, traffic) exists daily in the work environment.

A.W. CHESTERTON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Targeted pay range: $165,000 - $175,000/annually depending on experience.

Chesterton is committed to paying all its employees in a fair and equitable manner. The pay range associated with this position ($165,000 - $175,000/annually DOE) is Chesterton's good-faith salary estimate for the presently available position. Several roles at Chesterton are considered “leveled” positions and as such, the company reserves the right to advertise and or hire for this position at appropriate level depending on applicant’s skillset/experience. If the salary range to be offered for a “leveled” based position (I, II, III, etc.) is different than what was advertised on any posting, that range will be discussed with the candidate before they are formally invited to interview.

Hired applicants may be eligible for additional incentive compensation depending on the level and or function of the position which will be discussed with the candidate prior to formal interview. Payments under these programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

Please note that the final salary offered for any position will be based on many factors, including but not limited to: candidate qualifications such as education and experience, internal equity, geographical location, and budget. Please note, it is not the company's usual practice to hire near or at the top of a pay range for any position that is available.

Chesterton anticipates the application window closing approximately 45 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require Chesterton to shorten or extend the application window.

All of A.W. Chesterton Company employment is contingent upon successfully passing a background check and the respective medical surveillance requirements. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Chesterton is an equal opportunity employer M/F/V/D

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