Manufacturing Excellence Area Leader

PURPOSE

The Manufacturing Excellence Area leader will report to the Manufacturing Excellence  Manager, and be responsible for ensuring results through the Manufacturing Excellence (ME) process and deliberate improvement projects. Work with Cedar River Mill Core Team to integrate and prioritize Manufacturing Excellence (ME) initiatives for the facility utilizing Lean/Six Sigma tools. Help develop, demonstrate and support an organizational culture based upon values of empowerment, high involvement, and participative work force in a customer-and quality-focused organization.Champions the IP Way and the one-to-one process via a role of influence. Demonstrate leadership in the area of safety as a core value and support broad-based participation in the mill’s safety processes. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The key accountabilities listed below are not to be considered all-inclusive; a team member may be required to perform additional tasks, as directed, and based on changing business needs of the company.

• Responsible for leading Manufacturing Excellence opportunities by managing process improvement within Cedar River Mill from identification to implementation of finding 3% YOY cost opportunities in the areas of strategic projects, energy, reliability, productivity, engagement and customers.
• Responsible for identifying and closing apparent gaps, realizable gaps, and identified gaps through X-Matrix and A3 generation and implementation.
• Identify and close apparent gaps utilizing Lean/Six Sigma tools.
• Champions safety efforts resulting in superior performance by modeling and maintaining an environment of safe work practices and proactive approach to safety management.
• Provides leadership and resources to support engagement and a high performance work team. Work with the Core Team to integrate and prioritize Manufacturing Excellence (ME) initiatives.
• Clearly communicate and demonstrate quality principles and processes.
• Assist in leading a total quality management process to assure meeting high quality production and customer standards, as well as environmental requirements.
• Build stakeholder engagement through proactive communication and deliberate involvement of CRM TM’s as well as resources outside the mill, including IP Technology and other SME’s.
• Develops, maintains, and uses sustainable methods for all processes and their improvements.
• Fullfill area specific 5S expectations(5 Minute 5S Checklists Replenishment of tools and supplies, 5S Audits,etc)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to wear all required safety equipment.
• Noise levels in excess of 90dB.
• Heat in excess of 100°F occasionally.
• Must be able to work in a 24/7 shift environment, nights and weekends as required.
• Occasionally transports tools and equipments weighing up to 5lbs
• Ability to walk/climb stairs up to 8 hours/day (50% of time)
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, ladders and into tanks
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 80% of shift time to perform deskwork-type activities, including computer work, up to 8 hours/day (50% of time).

KEY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum

• Minimum of 3 years experience in a manufacturing leadership position, preferably in a paper mill.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills; problem solving, negotiation, presentation and training delivery skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage project/process improvement and guide team(s) to successful completion of tasks and/or projects.
• Demonstrated ability to set expectations with stretch goals and measure work to determine degree of goal attainment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Successfully completed manufacturing leadership, area manager, or process engineering assignments.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or related field is preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing annual productivity plans.
• Green Belt Certification or training in Lean/Six Sigma is preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership skills combined with technical papermaking knowledge.
• Experience in strategic planning and budgeting process and High Performance Work Systems.

CAREER ARCHITECT COMPETENCIES