Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager - Phoenix Plant - job 1 of 2

The Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager at Shearer’s is responsible for leading Lean Manufacturing initiatives, creating and implementing the Continuous Improvement Master Plan, managing data systems, and analyzing performance metrics. The role also involves coaching teams through Kaizen activities and collaborating with leadership to achieve reliability improvements.

To qualify for the Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager role at Shearer’s, candidates should have 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, expertise in CI tools like Lean Six Sigma, a four-year degree in engineering or operations management, and exceptional analytical and organizational skills.

The Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager at Shearer’s contributes to productivity targets by utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies to lead Kaizen activities that eliminate inefficiencies. They analyze complex manufacturing systems and implement strategies that reduce planned and unplanned losses while enhancing overall plant performance.

Shearer’s supports continuous improvement initiatives by offering a collaborative work environment, advanced data collection systems, and various CI tools. The company invests in its employees' professional development and encourages innovative thinking to achieve operational excellence.

As a Sr. Continuous Improvement Manager at Shearer’s, you can expect a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement savings plans with match, short and long-term disability insurance, various voluntary insurance options, and opportunities to engage in community volunteer work.

When discussing your experience with Lean Six Sigma, highlight specific projects where you applied these methodologies to improve processes. Give examples of how you led Kaizen events or used data analysis to drive efficiencies and mention quantifiable results achieved.

Explain your process for developing a Continuous Improvement Master Plan by discussing the importance of assessing current workflows, identifying areas for improvement, setting achievable goals, and engaging team members in the plan's execution. Emphasize collaboration and regular progress tracking.

Discuss your coaching style and the importance of mentorship. Share techniques such as facilitating workshops, using real data to show impacts, and fostering an open communication environment where team members feel safe to contribute ideas and feedback.

Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) methodology to discuss a specific instance where you identified reasons for planned losses, implemented targeted CI actions, and resulted in measurable improvements, emphasizing the data-driven results.

Talk about the importance of using analytics tools to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as TEEP and OEE. Explain how you create dashboards for visibility and engage teams in regular reviews of these metrics to maintain accountability.

Highlight your leadership skills by discussing how you have coordinated with various departments to achieve common goals. Emphasize building rapport and aligning objectives, which fosters a team-oriented culture focused on shared success.

Discuss strategies for managing resistance, such as ensuring transparency in the communication of changes, providing training and support, and illustrating potential positive outcomes of the changes. Relate any success stories from your prior experiences.

Outline some of the key metrics you believe are essential, such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cycle time, and first-pass yield. Explain why each metric is integral to understanding and improving manufacturing effectiveness.

Explain the importance of adopting a mindset of continuous evaluation and adjustment by regularly soliciting feedback, performing audits, and dynamically updating CI processes based on emerging trends, technologies, or results from benchmarking.

Discuss your experience with data management systems, specifically how you utilize them to track performance, identify trends, and drive decision-making. Emphasize the importance of training teams to effectively use these systems to support their CI efforts.