Manufacturing Consultant (Bilingual Chinese/English)-Freelancer

The Manufacturing Consultant at Roland Berger in Shanghai is responsible for improving clients' OEE and FPY, analyzing production systems, and identifying areas for enhancement. This role requires a deep collaboration with client teams to formulate tailored solutions and present actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders.

To qualify for the Manufacturing Consultant position at Roland Berger, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in an engineering field, along with 5-10 years of hands-on experience in production management or consulting. Familiarity with production management software such as MES and ERP is preferred, alongside expertise in lean manufacturing techniques.

Crucial skills for a Manufacturing Consultant at Roland Berger include strong analytical and organizational capabilities, proficiency in lean transformation tools, and the ability to communicate effectively in both Chinese and English. This role requires a collaborative attitude and the capability to work independently under pressure.

Success as a Manufacturing Consultant at Roland Berger requires a blend of technical knowledge, effective communication skills, and the ability to drive change within client organizations. You will thrive by embracing continuous learning and applying lean principles to achieve sustainable improvements.

As a Manufacturing Consultant at Roland Berger in Shanghai, you will be expected to work onsite full-time for five days a week. The role may involve challenging projects that require a commitment and adaptability to diverse cultural environments, making it essential to possess the ability to work effectively in cross-border teams.

When answering this question, be specific about your experience with lean principles. Describe the tools you've employed, such as Kaizen or 5S, and share success stories where you improved efficiencies. Highlight your role in these projects and the results achieved.

In your response, outline your systematic approach to problem-solving. Discuss how you gather data, analyze processes, and collaborate with teams to identify root causes. Providing an example of a challenging situation and how you resolved it can strengthen your answer.

Share specific strategies you've implemented to improve OEE. Focus on how you assess downtime causes, improve maintenance schedules, or engage operators in performance improvement. Referencing quantifiable outcomes will demonstrate your effectiveness.

Highlight your ability to collaborate with various stakeholders. Talk about how you ensure clear communication, manage expectations, and facilitate cooperation to achieve common goals. A specific example can illustrate your success in this area.

Discuss your time management skills and the tools or techniques you use to stay organized. Giving an example of a high-pressure project and how you successfully navigated it will show your capability to perform under deadlines.

Provide an overview of the production management software you are familiar with. Be specific about how you've used these tools to aid in efficiency tracking, data analysis, or process improvements and the benefits they’ve brought to your previous roles.

When asked this, select a project that showcases your leadership abilities. Detail your role, the challenges faced, the steps taken to lead the team, and the measurable results achieved to demonstrate your impact.

Discuss key performance metrics that are critical for manufacturing efficiency, such as OEE, FPY, and defect rates. Explain why these metrics are important and how you utilize them to track improvements and inform decisions.

Address how you approach change management sensitively by engaging team members and understanding their concerns. Discuss techniques you've used to foster buy-in and create a supportive environment for change.

Illustrate your reliance on data by discussing how you collect, analyze, and interpret production data. Emphasize the importance of making informed decisions and how data visibility has shaped your approaches in past roles.