Lean Operational Excellence Manager

Company: AGI
Location: Naperville
Posted on: June 23, 2022

Job Description:

Position Title: Manager, Lean Operational ExcellenceDepartment: LeanDivision: AGI-USLocation: Naperville, IL
About AGIAGI is a global food infrastructure company publicly traded in Canada. With over 4,200 employees and over 30 global manufacturing brands, AGI is a leading provider of equipment and technology solutions for agricultural commodities including seed, fertilizer, grain and feed systems and an expanding platform for food processing facilities.Through a comprehensive network of knowledgeable and highly skilled dealers, distributors and strategically located warehouse facilities, AGI serves both domestic and international customers. AGI takes a collaborative approach that considers all stakeholder requirements to satisfy the unique needs of our customers.The OpportunityAGI is in search of a new Manager, Lean Operational Excellence for our Chicago, IL area location. The Manager, Lean Operational Excellence will report to AGI's Director of Lean Systems. The Lean Operational Excellence Manager will provide support to our Manufacturing Operations, and will evaluate Continuous Improvement (CI) opportunities, benchmark lean performance, and train employees in AGI's Lean programs. A highly collaborative role, the Lean Operational Excellence Manager will have the opportunity to work with multiple plants and various sides of the operations, partnering with multiple departments to ensure quality satisfaction for AGI's customer base. Operations will be seen from a holistic point of view, while maintaining variety and diversity in your day-to-day work. Finally, this individual will play a crucial role in advancing Operational Excellence, with a primary focus on Lean and CI with additional opportunities in other OPEX areas such as Safety and Quality.Global travel required to varying AGI locations in North America, up to 50% of the time. Superior communication skills, including active listening and a service orientated approach will be key in delivering results for the AGI operations.The TeamThe Manager, Lean Operational Excellence is based out of the Chicago area office, and reports to the Director, Lean Systems. This position does not oversee direct reports but will have indirect influence across all AGI locations.The Lean Operational Excellence team encompasses many team members from varying backgrounds including Quality, Safety, Lean and Continuous Improvement. The Manager, Lean Operational Excellence will collaborate closely with all levels of employees to meet the growing needs of our customers and promote best in class customer satisfaction.ResponsibilitiesThe Manager, Lean Operational Excellence will provide leadership and day to day influence as it relates to Lean, Quality, Continuous Improvement and Safety including but not limited to:

• Leading, Managing, Directing, and Promoting AGI culture of Continuous Improvement across all facilities and activities.
• Working closely with the Plant Lean Leaders to implement and sustain a lean culture with Lean Vision and Strategy
• Partnering with assigned business unit on the implementation of lean manufacturing, and lean business process efforts
• Identify and prioritizing process optimization and Lean principal application by Current State evaluation and define Future State.
• Empowering employees by leading and facilitating lean workshops, brainstorming on current state, and embedding the understanding of the techniques and tools necessary to continuously implement Lean in the work environment.
• Coaching, mentoring and teaching all levels of the organization in Green Belt Concepts, including, LEAN tools, Safety and Quality concepts, process planning, metric development, TPM, OEE, and other various manufacturing concepts that drive excellence in our operations.
• Writing of procedures that document changes resulting from lean initiatives to ensure effective implementation and sustainability efforts.
• Assisting in coordinating and managing projects and events such Kaizen events, Lean Consortiums, lean audits at our local manufacturing locations, and other tasks as assigned.
• Coaching, Facilitating, and leading advanced improvement projects that may include lean principles, value stream mapping, 5S, SMED, and visual factory.
• Being a leader, mentor, and coach towards integration of Lean principles, values, philosophies, and tools for driving continuous improvement through coaching and guiding operators over multiple projects
• Working with value stream owners to create a system to ensure everyone is conducting the Lean Principles correctly and consistently.
• Partnering with business leadership to drive key initiatives and transformation activities that improve KPI's and other business performance indicators.
• Assisting in the development and management of a best practice sharing internal networks supported by Safety, Quality, and Lean Principles
• Performing additional related duties as requested or required.QualificationsCandidates for the Manager, Lean Operational Excellence will have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent professional and educational experience required.
  • 5+ years of experience in the manufacturing principles of Six-Sigma, Quality Assurance, Safety and Lean Manufacturing preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing setting required.
  • The ability to travel Internationally and possess a valid state driver's license.
  • Proficiency and experience in the CI tool set such as Value Stream Mapping, Quality. Methodologies, and other appropriate areas of knowledge while demonstrating a proven project improvement record.
  • Hands on experience implementing Lean Thinking, Lean Tools, and Kaizen events to drive Continuous improvements in manufacturing operations.
  • A Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean certification preferred.
  • Proven skills working with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong negotiating and influencing skills, and the ability to drive change collaboratively
  • Strong analytical/statistical problem-solving skills.
  • Strong Coaching and Facilitation skills.
  • Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office and Outlook.AGI is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.Accommodations are available upon request for candidates with a disability taking part in the recruitment process and once hired.

Keywords: AGI, Naperville , Lean Operational Excellence Manager, Executive , Naperville, Illinois