Sr. Manager of Continuous Improvement - job 1 of 2

The Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement at Shearer’s will be responsible for optimizing processes and increasing efficiency across our various manufacturing facilities. You will support the RVP and Director of Continuous Improvement, lead cross-functional teams in executing projects, and focus on enhancing safety, quality, productivity, and service. Utilizing KPIs and metrics, your role will involve conducting audits and providing coaching to site personnel, ensuring continuous improvement is embedded into daily operations.

To qualify for the Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement role at Shearer’s, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, or a related field, or have equivalent experience in a business improvement role at a management level. Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies is essential, alongside strong analytical skills and project management experience. Excellent communication skills are a must for leading teams and driving change.

At Shearer’s, the SHOP operating model aims to enhance Safety, Quality, Productivity, and Service through structured continuous improvement initiatives. The Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement will deploy this model across multiple sites to identify inefficiencies, engage teams in problem-solving methodologies, and promote a culture of operational excellence. Your role will encompass coaching site personnel and leveraging data-driven decisions to sustain improvements.

Shearer’s supports its Continuous Improvement initiatives by encouraging collaboration between the Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement and senior leadership, aligning strategic goals with operational practices. This support involves providing necessary resources for audits, education on lean manufacturing techniques, and fostering an environment that prioritizes ongoing training and development for site teams. Regular assessments and feedback loops are integral to our approach.

As the Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement at Shearer’s, you’ll have numerous growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. You'll lead impactful projects that will not only enhance your leadership and problem-solving skills but will also position you as a change agent in a major company. The role involves tight collaboration with senior management where your contributions directly affect the organization's efficiency and culture, paving the way for future career advancements.

Highlight specific examples where you've applied continuous improvement methodologies, such as lean or Six Sigma, in previous roles. Discuss the challenges faced, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes achieved. This showcases your hands-on experience and ability to drive change effectively.

Discuss your approach to identifying relevant KPIs based on project goals. Talk about your experience with data analysis, your familiarity with tools like Minitab or Excel, and how you ensure metrics align with both team and organizational objectives to effectively track performance and progress.

Explain your methods for fostering team engagement, such as holding workshops, encouraging open communication, and recognizing contributions. Example scenarios can be powerful, especially where you rallied a team around a shared goal that led to significant process improvements.

Emphasize your conflict resolution skills and your approach to facilitating discussions that address concerns and highlights the benefits of change. Share your strategies for building trust and gaining buy-in, showing your ability to lead change successfully in a structured environment.

Talk about specific software applications you are comfortable with, such as Minitab or Excels, and how you've leveraged these tools in past projects. Also mention your ability to interpret data trends, communicate findings effectively, and apply insights to drive decision-making.

Provide detailed insights into a significant project, the steps you took in planning and execution, and how you monitored progress. Discuss the team structure, challenges faced, and how you adjusted strategies to ensure successful completion, thereby underlining your project management skills.

Discuss your commitment to ongoing professional development through attending conferences, participating in workshops, or engaging in relevant online courses and forums. Mention specific recent trends or methodologies you've adopted to improve your approach.

Explain how effective communication is vital for aligning teams with goals and encouraging collaboration. Provide examples of how you've used various communication channels to disseminate information, gather feedback, and keep stakeholders informed throughout continuous improvement projects.

Articulate your strategies for collaboration with senior leadership, how you would align improvement initiatives with business goals, and ensure that objectives are communicated clearly across the organization. Using past experiences where you succeeded in aligning such efforts will strengthen your response.

Discuss analytical techniques you've employed in previous roles—like 5 Whys or Fishbone diagrams—and how result-oriented these methods have been. Sharing practical applications and outcomes will portray your understanding of identifying and addressing root issues effectively.