Continuous Improvement Project Manager

General Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement Project Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional teams to establish, document, implement, maintain, and ensure the effectiveness of process improvement projects based on the disciplines of; Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean, etc., throughout the organization. The Project Manager will utilize proven process improvement methods and quality tools to drive data-based decisions when leading problem solving efforts and implementing process solutions as required by the organization or business unit. Responsibilities include but are not limited to; investigating shortfalls, business process issues, internal and external customer complaints as well as developing measurement methods to track all improvement initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Partners with functional leaders to develop lean future state visions and develop strategic deployment plans to achieve objectives.
• Trains all organization levels in the principles, tools, and practices of continuous improvement (Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean, etc.
• Establishes, maintains, and leads process improvement project teams, serving as a process improvement advocate within the organization.
• Defines project objectives, strategies, constraints, risks, and assumptions to structure process improvement projects.
• Leads, coordinates, facilitates, and motivates all associated team members to gain alignment on the project objectives and deliverables.
• Develop project plans, milestones, monitors, and reports progress to senior management.
• Plans project budget and monitors project costs.
• Identifies problems significant to project success and initiates actions to resolve them.
• Interacts closely with various departments to maintain awareness of internal/external customer requirements, and downstream processes/departments prior to solution implementation.
• Performs current state and future state analysis to illustrate project improvement benefits
• Actively participates and guides in process design decisions to complete the project.
• Establishes and maintains communication channels throughout the life of the project.
• Identifies and implements technological and managerial improvements e.g., daily Kaizen, Kata, etc., during solution development.
• Works closely with business unit management to determine trade-off decisions between key process features, process cost, and program schedules to best meet customer requirements.
• Motivates team members to take pride in their role in developing new processes.
• Leads and/or participates in meetings to guide conflict as needed to advance project deliverables
• Keeps senior management informed on project status by creating and maintaining written reports on projects, including costs, issues, and performance to established targets on a regular basis.

Quality / Business Systems Activities

• Ensures that the Quality / Business System is defined and deployed and actively seeks opportunities to continuously improve.
• Participates in quality system investigations, customer complaints, CAPA's, supplier audits as required by business units.
• Ensures that all process solutions identified during improvement projects meet the Quality System standards and procedures.
• Champions the Sakura Quality Policy.
• Plans sequential and concurrent activities and assigns tasks to all cross-functional team members performing action items and/or process improvement activities in support of the Leadership Review Team

Operations Activities

• Collaborates with Manufacturing in the development of process phase in and out plans, including obsolescence, and related activities to assure implementation success.
• Interacts with various business / manufacturing units to determine capacity and efficiencies.
• Interacts with Materials Management in coordinating analyses of supplier capabilities, capacities, and efficiencies.
• Recommends and implements techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, cut costs, and maintain excellent business practices
• Create process measurement methods for business / manufacturing units

Other Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills to effectively communicate and build relationships with a broad spectrum of audiences at all organizational levels.
• Capable of establishing and nurturing personal relationships not only with project team members but also with other departments who support and work on the same programs.
• Interacts in a professional and proactive manner with internal and external functions/customers.
• Must be a good judge of people and properly utilize and weigh the opinion of experts.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the momentum of a program and deal with diverse personalities
• Have sound technical aptitude and proven ability to grasp general knowledge of multiple disciplines and be able to orchestrate the technical expertise of all team members in answering customer requirements.
• Must be able to properly assess and coordinate the various requirements of broad areas of activities and make timely decisions and plan the work to meet project timelines.
• Must have superior computer skills.
• Strong competencies in planning, project management, and organization with the ability to lead multiple activities and resources while maintaining a focus on quality.
• Solid analytical and strategic capabilities and business acumen along with demonstrated work ethic, integrity, and professional conduct.
• Ability to produce and present clear, concise, and professionally written communications and presentations.

Essential Job Requirements

Education

• B.A. or B.S. degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing training/certificates a plus
• Project Management professional training/certificates a plus

Experience & Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of experience in one or more of the following: Business System Analysis, Project Management, Operations, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Quality System Auditing.
• Working knowledge of Kaizen methods, process improvement principles, and practices.
• Working knowledge of 5s, CAPA, Root Cause Analysis, Risk Management, and Project Management.
• Experience preferred in: Six Sigma Quality, Lean Manufacturing, SPC, statistical analysis, quality auditing, process/product research, Manufacturing/Test Engineering, inspection/calibration techniques and systems, supplier quality control, and interpretation of drawings and specifications
• Ability to prioritize work and schedule activities in such a way as to meet established deadlines and accomplish corporate and or business goals
• Requires clear and concise verbal and written communication skills; good technical writing skills, good interpersonal/customer relations skills; good budgetary skills; good presentation skills, ability to persuade/influence to gain cooperation; ability to convey complex technical information in an easily understood manner, both verbally and in writing; good computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, timeline programs, etc.).
• Good analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Environment

• This position requires the employee to frequently sit at a desk.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to successfully work in a dynamic environment and respond to multiple demands.
• Ability to successfully respond to multiple work pressures.
• Ability to listen for understanding and assist in problem solving.
• Occasional travel to customers facilities, supplier facilities, tradeshows.
• Occasional work performed in manufacturing and test areas that require PPE
• Requires reading, math, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data; developing and implementing methodologies/plans/processes for accomplishing a goal; coordinating and leading others to accomplish goals, evaluating the progress of projects.

"Sakura Finetek USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law."

The above description identifies the essential job functions and skills needed by the person or persons assigned to this position. These job functions and skills are not intended to be a complete and exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The information contained herein is subject to change at the company's discretion.