Summary
Under the general supervision of the VP of Operations, the Continuous Improvement Director for NA is responsible for driving the implementation and use of the company’s global continuous improvement program, “SOME” (Sungro Operations Model for Excellence), across all Sungro locations to drive out cost, improve efficiencies and achieve a mindset of business excellence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Builds and drives the implementation of the SOME program and initiatives that strive toward business excellence
- Builds a preventive Maintenance Program within the SOME model covering CMMS, stores standards, spare parts and defined PM plans for each piece of equipment.
- Builds Benchmark metrics and tracking systems for the operations function to drive continuous improvement
- Coach and facilitate improvement activities focused on transactional processes in alignment with corporate SOME strategy and deployment goals.
- Effectively coaches and supports local SOME team plant-based employees to instill a continuous Improvement mindset
- Leads SOME projects/Kaizen events for improvement results that can be leveraged globally across sites, functions, and product lines.
- Ensures that SOME training, tools, assessments, and resources are available to employees at all levels and are being utilized appropriately and effectively.
- Collaborates and executes communication plans to support the rollout and education on continuous improvements and best practices across plants and functions.
- Provide progress reporting on improvements. Track results to strategic plans and KPI’s.
- Be proficient in guiding root-cause analysis (A3 Problem Solving). Lead or coach focused improvement activities and teams to improve results like safety, quality, delivery, cost and inventory.
- Focus areas: Visual Management for Transactional processes, standard work, SIOP or IBP, Material Pull systems and Inventory
- Utilize and facilitate Value Stream Mapping, process flow charts, Material Pull techniques, RACI and other SOME tools to recommend and facilitate modifications in workflow.
- Facilitate and co-facilitate various CI related workshops and training events.
- Work across business practices to remove barriers and streamline processes by understanding internal and external customer requirements.
- Works with the NA Operations Directors, in analyzing key performance indicators to ensure improvement efforts are strategically aligned and adding value to the bottom line.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations or equivalent education and experience as determined by management.
- Previous multi-site experience preferred
- Bilingual English and French preferred
- Previous experience working within an in structured corporate continuous improvement model
- Demonstrated experience as a cultural change agent
- Hands-on experience using modern Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methods (LEAN, TPM, Kanban, TPI, A3,5S Six Sigma etc.).
- Certified Lean Manager preferred. Six Sigma Green Belt or higher preferred.
- At least three (3) to fivyearsyears’ experience leading Lean Transformations, educating others on Lean principles and deployment planning.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Transactional processes: Quote to cash, Sales generation, product development, marketing, finance/accounting, procurement/supply chain process improvement techniques.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking to processes to develop, recommend and implement strategies and programs that address company objectives.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills up and down the organization
- hierarchy to include corporate offices.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with direct reports and influence on those with whom there is not a reporting relationship.
- Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office and applicable SunGro software applications.
- Demonstrated ability to work efficiently under conditions of multiple deadlines and changing priorities.
- Ability to travel 50% as SUNGRO is a global company.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
This position will oversee all aspects of operations, sales, human resources and financial efforts. Responsible for the overall day-to-day management of a production plant to produce products and direct shipping activities to ensure quality products. Oversee the direction of all personnel in the production and shipping departments. Drive production facility to achieve all safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency goals. Fill in for Plant/Production Manager during absences.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Ensure production process meets or exceeds company expectations in a safe, efficient to maximize the plant’s profitability
- Work closely with the finance department regarding budgeting and reporting
- Along with Safety Specialist, develop, monitor and implement safety programs, protocol and guidelines for plant.
- Work with Procurement department with the specifications of raw materials and supplies necessary for production of desired finished goods.
- Responsible for the production process, load, storing and transporting product to the customer.
- Provide clear guidance to workforce with the safety and productivity of the plant.
- Develop short and long range operating strategies in conjunction with Operations Director, Plant/Production Manager to align with company goals.
- Develop and train employees with the knowledge of how they influence the company’s profitability.
- Must be hands on and accessible
- Assists Plant Manager in developing and formulating long and short term range planning, policies, programs and objectives to meet strategic goals
- Establish and control plant operating budgets.
- Responsible for inventory control, cycle counts and asset management.
- Formulates and recommends manufacturing policies and programs to guide the organization in maintaining and improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation.
- Directs and coordinates various program essentials including training, safety, housekeeping, cost reductions, worker involvement and security.
- Ensure that production is in accordance with plan, meets quality standards and customer’s expectation.
- Understands sales forecast and can convert into a production plan to assure exemplary service to customers.
- Ensure cost effective utilization of workforce.
- Provide clear guidance to workforce with the safety and productivity of the plant.
- Develop short and long range operating strategies in conjunction with Operations Director, Plant/Production Manager to align with company goals.
- Develop and train employees with the knowledge of how they influence the company’s profitability.
- Must be hands on and accessible
- Establish and control plant-operating budgets and participate in monthly financial review.
- Responsible for inventory control, cycle counts and asset management.
- Formulates and recommends manufacturing policies and programs to guide the organization in maintaining and improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation.
- Directs and coordinates various program essentials including training, safety, housekeeping, cost reductions, worker involvement and security.
- Understands sales forecast and can convert into a production plan to assure exemplary service to customers.
- Ensure cost effective utilization of workforce.
- Works with Plant/Production Manager to assure development of staff. Takes necessary corrective action as needed in a timely basis and in accordance with company policy.
- Assures compliance of current federal, state and local regulations
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of standard operational and business practices
- Strong customer focus – includes the ability to balance the needs of the customer with the needs of the business as well as fostering a strong customer focus mindset.
- Strong Fact Based Decision Making skills – supports decisions with data and uses data to solve problems
- Fluent in English and French
- Experience with union environment would be an asset
- Ability to Establish Plans – set clear, measureable goals, anticipating roadblocks and adjusts for problems, can accurate assess the length and difficulty of tasks.
- Change Champion – able to communicate changes, remove obstacles and understand who needs to be involved in driving changes.
- Strong execution skills – can provide support without removing responsibility, monitors progress to ensure achievement of goals, coordinate with other work groups.
- Creates an environment that fosters process improvement and challenges status quo to eliminate non-value added work
- Understanding of Supply Chain function and interaction with other departments
- Strong coaching skills – ability to assess talent accurately, make tough calls when needed and work with employees on development to ensure their success as well as continued achievement of organizational goals.
- Able to Provide Direction – sets clear objectives and develops KPIs to monitor work. Clarifies roles and responsibilities and monitors progress and results.
- Motivates Others – Inspires people to excel by creating a work environment that allows people to do their best.
- Fosters Teamwork – values all employee’s contributions, involving team in decisions that affect them and discourages “we” vs. “them” attitude.
- Strong Business Process Orientation ensuring strategic process alignment across functions consistent with corporate strategies and goals
- Computer skills a must, specific proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Internet and email.
- Proficient with organizational skills
- Ability to plan, organizes, execute and monitor changes according to organizational goals.
- Ability to communicate with a diverse workforce and interdepartmental relation skills.
- Establish schedules, deadlines and production goals. Analyze impact of decisions on plant and other departments prior to executing them.
- Coordinate resources toward fulfillment of desired objectives.
- Organize work autonomously or as part of a team.
- Control and/or adapt to interruptions, changes, disorder, or repetition without losing efficiency or composure.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- 5+ years supervisory experience preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Typical of a standard office environment. Noise level is generally quiet.
- Must be comfortable in an industrial environment which may be hot/cold and dusty.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Sitting and using office equipment (computers, telephones, calculators, copiers) for prolonged periods of time.
- Lifting requirements generally under 25 lbs.
