Lean Operations Manager

Lean Operations Manager – Fort Wayne, IN

Primary Responsibility:

We are a fabrication company, our tagline being “Test Our Mettle.” This is a mantra that we live and breathe each day. Every day, these three words remind us that we’ve got something to prove and to challenge ourselves to keep improving, evolving, and steamrolling ahead. We believe our employees are our greatest business asset, and we work hard to help them develop to be their best, to recognize them for their talents, and to provide opportunities to advance their careers. The Lean Operations Leader will be responsible for executing and leading LEAN initiatives throughout the company, concentrating on process optimization, waste reduction, and overall operational efficiency. The ideal applicant should have a strong background in lean manufacturing principles and practices, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. The Lean Operations Leader will lead the company through a lean journey with a distinctive focus on Lean Tools: 5S, standard work, visual management, value stream mapping, kaizen, KPI, etc.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement & advance lean manufacturing best practices and strategic initiatives to deploy a continuous improvement culture to help enhance the company’s operational performance.
• Recognize and eliminate waste and inefficiency within the organization's processes.
• Lead cross-functional teams in LEAN projects, including value stream mapping, process standardization, 5S, Kaizen events, and other lean tools and techniques.
• Develop, observe, and evaluate KPI’s to pinpoint improvement opportunities and track progress.
• Work together with various departments, including sales, safety, fabrication, quality, and purchasing, to identify and implement lean solutions that improve overall performance and customer satisfaction.
• Perform recurring audits and assessments to ensure compliance with lean principles and standards.
• Stay updated on trends and best practices in lean manufacturing and process improvement methodologies.
• Prepare LEAN reports & presentations re: progress and outcomes for management and stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and support by inspiring conventional thinking, establishing and monitoring metrics and measurements, and building a team that applies and utilizes Lean tools and techniques.
• Evaluate and recommend projects/programs providing opportunities for improvements in key measurement areas (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and morale) in order to better meet the voice of our clients and manage multiple projects with dynamically shifting priorities and targets.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and problem-solving, train & facilitate solving of simple and complex problems. A3 reports using PDCA, DMAIC, 8D solving techniques.

Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, or another related field
• Preferred 5+ years of lean manufacturing experience and proven experience leading an operation through a lean transformation.
• Strong knowledge of lean Six Sigma methodologies: 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, KPI, etc.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams, driving change within an organization, and inspiring change.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Certifications highly desirable (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, Project Management)

Relationships:

• Direct Support: VP of Operations