Continuous Improvement Specialist

This role is a key position responsible for the delivery of process innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across our manufacturing departments and business processes. It will play an important role in helping to foster a culture of sustainable change through the creation and embedding of LEAN methodology, and the supporting framework, to deliver business transformation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Identify and deliver measurable improvement activity across the business through employing process improvement methodologies and the application of innovative thinking
• Collaborate with key business stakeholders to build a continuous improvement environment to support an ongoing program of change
• Lead and facilitate LEAN/process improvement-based workshops to drive ideas and solutions
• Support the delivery of better value and greater efficiency through the identification and elimination of waste within business processes and identification of better ways of working
• Identify trends and process variations as part of establishing a continuous improvement monitoring system
• Assist in the development and implementation of a ‘best-in-class’ continuous improvement strategy
• Own change initiatives from evolution/efficiency identification through to project delivery via internal governance and controls
• Elicit requirements and drive process change using staff interviews, document analysis, requirements workshops, surveys, site visits, business process descriptions, business analysis and workflow analysis
• Collaborate with team members and departments to devise new support material based on the revised processes, to include training, reporting and systems enhancements (QMS revisions)
• Actively monitor project risks to foresee/identify potential problems and proactively identify solutions to address in advance
• Ensure the business impact and project objectives/dependencies are identified, reported, and managed
• Execute post implementation reviews to ensure successful delivery has been achieved and to ensure that improvements can be made for future projects

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum accredited Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, preferably Black Belt
• Minimum 3-5 years proven continuous improvement analytical experience from a similar role, including project management and business analysis
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience using MRP/ERP systems, SAP preferred
• Excellent understanding of continuous improvement concepts including Six Sigma, Lean, value stream mapping
• Ability to set-up, facilitate and lead improvement sessions with a range of business stakeholders
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, including Project, Visio, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• A ‘completer-finisher’ taking accountability for ideas from inception to delivery, in an environment that requires robust metrics to confirm success
• Experience of designing or implementing a framework of continuous improvement
• Experience of hands-on implementation of continuous improvement programs and Lean solutions
• Experience of designing remediation plans to address productivity and efficiency issues, and track record of following through to ensure closure
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of Partners, senior managers, and subject matter experts
• Strong analytical, project and product management skills, including a thorough understanding of how to interpret business needs and translate them into operational requirements
• Experience of the whole project life cycle, able to operate in the initial conceptual design stage, in the depths of system testing, and at each stage in between