Our client is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer to support and promote the overall continuous improvement culture at their Benson, MN plant.  This role will be working with the Continuous Improvement Site Leader to be responsible for leading the implementation of Lean principles driving toward operational excellence.  This position will be responsible to lead, coach and develop production employees to a deep understanding of Lean tools and concepts.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively participates in kaizen events, workshops, problem solving and process mapping exercises to bring alignment and improve performance.
• Lead kaizen events after becoming certified in the various Lean toolsets.
• Works with department leaders to collaboratively identify process improvement opportunities through quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Assists with the implementation of Lean manufacturing goals and strategies for improving the operations and processes within the facility.
• Evaluates all continuous improvement activities and implements plans to optimize performance and processes.
• Provides project support to production employees as needed following kaizen events.
• Creates a visual workplace leveraging 5S, 5T and other visual controls.
• Promotes plant wide KPIs and integrates data in decision making.
• Coach all plant employees on proper application of Lean methods/standards.
• Trains Supervisors and Team Leads to create a culture which engages employees at all levels in the root-cause-problem-solving process.
• Performs work safely and has demonstrated the ability to help others improve safety performance in an organization.
• Participates in Daily Management walks as needed and coaches daily metrics tracking, pareto analysis, and root-cause-problem-solving.

Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or other technical degree with emphasis in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical field plus 2 or more years of experience in lean manufacturing environment.
In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, candidates with an Associates degree plus 5 or more years of lean manufacturing experience OR high school diploma/GED plus 7 or more years of lean manufacturing experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Multi-functional manufacturing project management leadership experience is a plus.
• Strong general Lean manufacturing background acquired working within a plant setting.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of change management principles with the ability to implement and drive change is preferred.
• Ability to become certified in kaizen toolsets to facilitate future kaizen events.
• Fundamental understanding of Lean manufacturing concepts including root-cause-problem-solving techniques and value stream mapping/analysis.
• Strong business communication and presentation skills in English.
• Ability to communicate across multiple organizational levels.
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and Power Point.
• Detail and task oriented with a bias for action.
• Data driven with the ability to acquire, analyze, and interpret the data to drive improvements and provide direction and focus.

• Actively participates in kaizen events, workshops, problem solving and process mapping exercises to bring alignment and improve performance.
• Lead kaizen events after becoming certified in the various Lean toolsets.
• Works with department leaders to collaboratively identify process improvement opportunities through quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Assists with the implementation of Lean manufacturing goals and strategies for improving the operations and processes within the facility.
• Evaluates all continuous improvement activities and implements plans to optimize performance and processes.
• Provides project support to production employees as needed following kaizen events.
• Creates a visual workplace leveraging 5S, 5T and other visual controls.
• Promotes plant wide KPIs and integrates data in decision making.
• Coach all plant employees on proper application of Lean methods/standards.
• Trains Supervisors and Team Leads to create a culture which engages employees at all levels in the root-cause-problem-solving process.
• Performs work safely and has demonstrated the ability to help others improve safety performance in an organization.
• Participates in Daily Management walks as needed and coaches daily metrics tracking, pareto analysis, and root-cause-problem-solving