Director Of Continuous Improvement

SUMMARY OF THIS POSITION

The Director of Continuous Improvement (CI) / Director of Operational Excellence has overall responsibility for helping to develop and drive the implementation of the company Business System across the enterprise. This includes direct application of the appropriate tools, including lean, and concepts to a variety of business work groups which include operations, sales, and engineering. The position will lead, train, coach, and mentor individuals at all levels of the company to ensure program growth and sustainability. This position will be asked to engage on a corporate and plant level, while overseeing activities related to CapEx and maintenance management, VMI, SIOP (customer service and master scheduling), continuous improvement, quality and process as well as product design and engineering. The role will be tasked with managing 4 direct reports: Customer Service Leader, Print Tech/Die Cutting Leader, Master Scheduler and Quality Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB TASKS

• Establish and mature the Lean Management System (tiered daily management systems, Gemba walks, and leader standard work – if applicable) across the business unit’s sites and other coaching tools to further develop the culture.
• Direct operation of the entire maintenance program, including proactively leading the preventative maintenance program to ensure assets longevity and functionality of equipment.
• May participate in evaluation of acquisition targets
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure the right end to end planning, scheduling and customer service strategies, processes, and overall SIOP are in place to support business and customer needs.
• Oversee the CapEx submission, consolidation, and overall management process related to the business unit.
• Lead the appropriate engineering and design functions tied to the business unit, including best practices and execution of initiatives coming from the NPD function.
• Lead implementation of the company Business System to ensure the business unit is achieving a roadmap that is aligned to business priorities, metrics, and results.
• Set the pace as the enterprise coach for Plant Managers in driving multi-site and multi-functional operational excellence transformation.
• Partner with business leaders to develop, promote, standardize, and drive operating mechanisms which provide key performance indicator visibility, accountability, and action planning to continually improve business performance.
• Act as the business unit’s change agent and systematically drive the use of tools for continuous improvement and change throughout the manufacturing sites to achieve targets in business growth, total quality management, customer experience, cash flow and productivity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

· A bachelor’s degree required with a master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred.

· A successful track record of achievement in related manufacturing businesses (Packaging and/or Print is a plus but not necessary) as a Manager/Director of Continuous Improvement, Operations / Performance Excellence / Transformation, with strong leadership acumen.

· Experience working in a private equity backed business is a plus.

· Experience working within a Business System-driven enterprise.

· Successful track record of achieving organic growth in a “strategy-driven” framework.

· A visible, “lead from the front and by example” mindset and capability.

· A philosophy and track record of winning in a high-performance, team-oriented culture.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS

• Prior experience as a Plant Manager or Director of Operations in an industrial manufacturing environment where lean manufacturing and operational transformation were at the core is always a plus.
• Must have a passion for teaching and leading employees through a lean journey of plant transformation across multi-site locations.
• Business Planning – enable “full potential” in the business
• 80/20 mindset based on – prioritization, simplification, and continuous improvement initiatives across a manufacturing environment