MGR I CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Job Overview

This is a full-time on-site position reporting directly to the Plant Manager and will be based in the Fairview, NC facility, with additional responsibility for the Arden, NC facility.   

This role is responsible for directing lean initiatives for the site and developing/deploying TEOA to drive flawless execution with tools and methods that are flexible, reliable, responsive, and sustained.  The ideal candidate will be a Lean Manufacturing Specialist (+Certified Black Belt is preferred) and will be responsible for driving change to meet defined metrics and organization goals including implementation of (TEOA 15 tools) Lean Six Sigma principles and philosophies through hands-on training and teaching and applying appropriate Lean tools:  e.g., 5S, visual factory, Value Stream mapping, continuous improvement tools including Standard Work, SMED and Kaizen, material flow, etc.  The successful candidate will have a history of leading change and producing documented improvements in plant costs and quality. Additional knowledge and understanding preferred using the Theory of Constraints and Training within the Industry.   

The TEOA system ensures a safe work environment, drives quality improvements, provides premier customer service, develops a qualified workforce, and reduces operating costs, inventories, and lead times through continuous improvement in the site systems. Partners with the Site Leadership team to oversee day-to-day activities to meet daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual operational and financial expectations.  

TEOA (TE Operating Advantage) is a company-wide program aimed at improving our business performance by applying Lean Manufacturing best practice improvement tools to become more efficient and effective so that we can be more productive, satisfy our customers, and deliver more value to our shareholders. 

Job Responsibilities

• Develop site TEOA deployment plans consistent with business unit /plant strategic and operational plan. 
• Support and mentor site based TEOA Practitioners / Kaizen Facilitators to enable them to succeed in the TEOA deployment and sustaining. Train team members, management and staff in all TEOA tools. 
• Identify and organize resources required to achieve successful implementation in accordance with plan. 
• Manage and control individual project teams and deployment plans at both site and functional levels. 
• Monitor progress against plans, achievement of continuous improvement and progression to higher star assessment levels. 
• Monitor and report site level measurements and performance to star assessment levels. 
• Lead the Site TEOA project teams, develop value stream maps and execute the TEOA implementation plan for the site to achieve the plant level TEOA metrics and goals while ensuring alignment to the business unit strategy. 
• Create, plan, lead and follow-up of the TEOA implementation plan and ensure TEOA actions are visual to stakeholders and are driven to a sustainable closure. 
• Facilitate TEOA Kaizen events throughout the site. 
• Account for predicted savings and track, validate and post to financial/operational results. 
• Provide leadership on lean thinking, lean processing and lean production. 
• Replicate examples of excellence across site and communicate this to other TEOA Practitioners within business unit. 

What your background should look like

• 5-7 years of technical / operations experience with a focus on production, logistics, or industrial engineering and finance. 
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field, Master's Degree preferred. 
• 3-5 years of experience as a Lean practitioner with demonstrated evidence of sustained, successful lean activities within specific value streams. 
• Previous experience in leading continuous improvement activities at the value stream level is essential. 
• Formal Mentoring, Facilitating & Coaching Training 
• DMAIC Six Sigma experience is strongly preferred. 
• Experience in Process Improvement Management 
• Previous hands-on and practical experience in using value stream mapping and implementing improvement tools with proven results in at least the following areas:  5S+1, Visual Factory, Standard Work, Quick Changeover and TPM preferred. 
• Have the patience, perseverance, and passion to drive the TEOA culture across the plant. 
• Credibility and experience to work effectively and directly with the site management team. 
• Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills at all levels from the shop floor to top management. 
• Strong team leader 
• Demonstrated project management skills. 
• Analytically minded and data-driven. 
• The role may involve some travel to other sites within the business unit and will require overnight stays.

Please note: This position may involve working with technical data, technology, software/source code, hardware, or other items (collectively “items) subject to U.S. and non-U.S. export control laws and regulations.  Under these regulations, it may be necessary for TE to verify a candidate’s national origin and/or citizenship status to determine whether a U.S. or other government export license is required before releasing its technologies to the candidate.  If TE determines that TE will require a license or will be prohibited by applicable laws from providing the candidate with items necessary for the performance of this position, then TE expressly reserves the right to either a) make an offer of employment contingent upon TE receiving required export licenses from the appropriate government agency, b) consider the candidate for a different position that is not subject to such restrictions, on whatever terms and conditions TE shall establish in its sole discretion or c) decline to move forward with the candidate’s application. 

Competencies