Continuous Improvement Director

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Continuous Improvement Director to join one of our largest Space & Defense clients in Irvine, CA. This ideal candidate will be responsible for driving continuous improvement efforts by developing and deploying best practice tools, methods and processes that reduce waste, increase throughput, improve productivity, promote data-driven decision making, and robust problem solving. This role will ensure we’re developing the Lean culture and building the capabilities of our people to support the evolution of our fast-growing business. This role will take a hands-on approach working directly with production employees on the floor driving process improvements that deliver improved operational and business results.

Responsibilities:

• Enable all levels of the organization through the process of leading, defining and developing continuous improvement culture and strategies that are designed to support key facility activities and drive operational and business results.
• Execute the company strategy to establish Lean awareness and build team member commitment to Lean principals across the organization that are implemented daily by the organization to reduce cost, improve yield, increase productivity and achieve targeted on-time delivery to the customer.
• Drive the use of Kaizen events (Rapid Improvement Events) that focus on substantially improving operational and business results that benefits the customer, employee and the shareholder.
• Drive project that substantially improve operational flow in both manufacturing and administrative processes leading to improved productivity, increased yields and lower transactional cost.
• Ensure operational and business result KPIs are directly tied to the expected and actual outcomes of all improvement initiatives.
• Educate all employees on Lean principles and methodologies to the level of proficiency necessary for employees and department leads are self-sufficient in their ability to drive process improvement.
• Manage complex projects spanning multiple functional departments while achieving all necessary operational and business results.
• Lead any necessary complex analysis to determine process improvement targets, evaluate alternatives and prioritize improvement and redesign efforts to deliver optimal business results.
• Design and develop dashboards and processes to enable leaders better manage their business and deliver specific KPI improvements as determined by the priorities of the business.
• Drive cross-functional teams to develop and deploy standard work, execute training programs and metrics to deliver business and system changes that yield improved business results.
• Provide expertise in problem solving efforts on key projects to improve quality, reduce cost and improve cycle time.
• Enact quality control procedures to resolve production problems to minimize scrap and rework and increase first past yield at or above target.
• Work collaboratively with the business unit HSE leadership to implement safety and ergonomic solutions as part of any process improvement project.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Must have a minimum of 10 years of experience with implementing and managing projects and process improvement (LEAN) initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing expertise through demonstrated experience and solid examples of delivering sustainable operational improvement and business results using Lean principles (Policy Deployment and Macro Planning (Hoshin Kanri), RCCA, Value stream mapping, 3P, Kaizen, facility layout, flow, production metrics, Six Sigma, TPM, TWI, etc.).
• This position requires someone who is a recognized expert and people focused leader that has exceptional program management and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced, technically focused, complex manufacturing environment is essential.
• Must be results-oriented and demonstrate analytical thinking, innovation, flexibility in dealing with changing and ambiguous situations and deliver sustainable, measurable and tangible results.
• Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative multi-function environment.
• Applies analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to effectively translate strategy into operating methodology, focused improvement projects and measurable operational and business results.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate self-motivation and the ability to work independently, while leading others and improving the overall skills of the organization through hands on, direct interaction and support.
• Preference for prior composite manufacturing experience or experience in the aerospace industry.
• Computer Skills: Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Project, Visio. MRP, Solid modeling computer-aided design, or Draftsight is preferred.

Competencies:

• Drive for Results - Makes decisions on time even when confronted with significant risks and uncertainty. Strong bias for action. Capitalizes on opportunities. Sets and holds others accountable to objectives required to deliver bottom line.
• Business Acumen - Knowledgeable about how the organization works. Understands the relationship between functional areas and delivering bottom line. Draws conclusions from strong understanding of standard financial reports. Understands the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices, and procedures.
• Continuous Improvement - Actively participates in lean manufacturing initiatives such as 5S, Kaizen Events and/or activities, RCCA, and Value Stream Analysis. Demonstrates enthusiasm and positivity for improving processes and their work environment. Initiates improvement without the need for constant supervision.
• Relationship Management - Strategically builds and fosters relationships. Politically savvy. Guides subordinates in strategic alliances. Recognizes, respects, and behaves accordingly with those of authority.
• Leadership - Ethical and honest. Lives by clear principles and standards of conduct. Develops both strong and weak direct reports with equal dedication and focus on performance and potential. Finds common ground and gets cooperation with minimum noise. Counted on to hold things together in tough times. Maintains composure. Demonstrates compassion. Encourages direct and tough debate but isn't afraid to end it and move on. Has the respect of subordinates.
• Strategic Agility - Understands internal and external factors driving the business. Takes long-term perspective on goals. Stays up to date on trends in the industry and larger economy. Anticipates future consequences and trends accurately. Creates competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans.

Salary: $180,000 - $200,000