Continuous Improvement Manager

Safety

 

• Ensure that all personnelreporting to this position carry on with their responsibilities in asafe and professional manner.
• Ensure personnelin this area are kept at the proper competency level throughdevelopment, apprenticeship, coaching, etc.
• Ensure employees are provided appropriate guidance, counseling, or recognition on matters related to job performance and absenteeism. Maintain constructive and candid relationships by addressing issues in a timely manner.
• Be part of the team to manage the implementation of5Sconcepts/programwithin the plant to ensure continuous and sustainable 5S improvements.
• Ensure full adherence to NSG/PilkingtonValues and Principlesand theStandards of Business Conduct.

Cross-functional Leadership & Collaboration

 

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional improvement initiativesby mobilizing and aligning resources from all areas (Process Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Safety and Quality teams). Ensure that improvement priorities are driven through collaboration and accountability across departments, fully synchronized with plant goals and constraints.
• Lead structured, recurring reviews of improvement initiatives with cross-functional teams to ensurerobust problem solving, alignment of actions with defined plans, andachievement of targeted results.
• Actively contribute to plant leadership meetings, synchronizing improvement actions with resource planning and execution.
• Support NMI processand new equipment/process introduction by applying lessons learned and structured ramp-up planning and problem-solving.

Structured Problem Solving & Process Optimization

 

• Lead the development and execution of structured problem-solvingmethodologies with cross-functional teams (e.g., 5 Whys, A3, DMAIC)to address chronic issues and improve plant performance.
• Drive the reduction of waste(defects, downtime, scrap, rework, etc.) by identifying root causes, developing sustainable countermeasures, and monitoring long-term effectiveness.
• Analyze process data, layouts, and flowsto identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and lead targeted improvement projects with measurable outcomes.
• Be part of the team to manage energy for the facility, including Energy Budget, and leading plant Energy Team

• Participate in the management and delivery of the plantBoiler Room Services

• Participate in the management and delivery of the following plantFacilities/Services

Lean Systems, Tools & TPM Leadership

 

• Leadthe deployment and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing tools/programs such as, Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, and Standard Work.

SOP Integration & Process Discipline

 

• Ensure that all continuous improvement actions resulting in process changes are fully documented and integrated into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to audit andreinforce process adherence, ensuring changes are sustained and behaviorally adopted.
• Lead the development andcontrol of process setup sheetsand control plans in alignment with updated standards.

MES & Reporting Systems

 

• Ensure theManufacturing Execution System (MES) and related reporting platforms function as designed, leading corrective and improvement actions when deviations occur.
• Lead implementation and maintenance of SOPsand best practices for SAP transactions/ production orders management.
• Drive excellence in the use of SAPfor all production teams including MRP, inventory transactions, material master data, production orders tracking andKPI's reporting.
• Ensure all daily SAP transactionsrelated to production ordersare executed in full compliance with established procedures; conduct regular audits to verify data integrity and system discipline, andlead prompt cross-functional communication and corrective actionswhen inaccurate or incomplete SAP inputs are identified.
• Own the accuracy and consistency of performance data(scrap, downtime, OEE), ensuring visibility of KPIs to drive accountability and response.
• Lead and managethe preparation and submission ofall standard manufacturing reports for the group, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with plant reporting standards (MST's).

Training, Development & Best Practice Sharing

 

• Coach and mentor all levels of the organization in CI tools, techniques, and mindset, developing a culture of problem-solving and continuous learning.
• Support the development and execution of training plansto close knowledge and behavioral gaps identified through audits and CI initiatives.
• Promote knowledge sharing and benchmarkingwith internal sites and external best practices to elevate plant maturity.

Performance Monitoring & Cost Reduction (OCS)

 

• Lead the identification and execution of Operational Cost Savings(OCS) projects in collaboration with functional leaders to ensure the achievement of the OCS targets.
• Monitor and report progress of OCS, CI, Kaizen initiatives, ensuring alignment with area KPIs and budget targets.

Qualifications Required:

 

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operation Management or related field.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in operations management, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and driving systemic improvements.
• Strong knowledge of MES/MRP/ERP systems, with demonstrated SAP expertise.

• Proven ability to lead in a 24/7 operational environment with rapid decision-making needs. Willingness to work flexible hours and provide on-call support to sustain 24/7 operations.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Qualifications Desired:

 

• Six Sigma Blackbelt or greenbelt certification
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 or other automotive quality standards.