Continuous Improvement Leader (West Union, SC)

The work we do every day matters. From modernizing the grid and ensuring safe, reliable water delivery to creating smarter cities, you can make an impact with Itron.

The Operational Excellence Leader is responsible for promoting and facilitating the successful implementation of the Toyota Production System (TPS) to drive continuous improvement culture and achieve Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets. The Operational Excellence Leader will help develop continuous improvement roadmap for the facility, deploy learning of the TPS fundamentals and Lean tools, drive Kaizen Funnel Management, support initiatives, projects and grow his/her/they skills, cost savings targets.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Drives targeted, sustainable improvements by leveraging TPS tools and change management process across manufacturing and transactional processes.

• Assists Itron Global Supply Chain Organization Leadership in the development of TPS Roadmap (i.e., how to use the TPS tools to drive sustainable improvement in results).

• Become an expert in TPS fundamental tools and be a training and development resource for these tools.

• Directly provides formal and informal TPS training and coaching.

• Acts as a leader in Business Strategy execution, Business Transformation, and Daily Management reviews (as appropriate).

• Ownership of Continuous Cost Savings (CCS) KPI and cost savings project funnel.

• Facilitate kaizen events and ensuring compliance to the kaizen process including - Planning of kaizens with a dynamic funnel process tied to business strategy and Daily Management, Kaizen execution and sustainment, Translating and realizing kaizen improvements/events objectives.

• Promotes and facilitates diagnosis of work-flow impediments and other wastes throughout the business. Provides expert counsel on appropriate TPS tools to eliminate them.

• Facilitates other TPS training sessions when appropriate (other trainers from Itron).

• Promotes and facilitates associate development in various TPS tools and kaizen leadership.

• Lead change management and learnings to drive TPS culture and methodologies across the full organization.

• Performs and supports initiatives, projects and other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of work experience in manufacturing or operations required. 10 years preferred.

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience with proven process improvement and change management skills (required), deployment of TPS tools such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 6S, SMED, Standard Work, Variability Reduction, Line Balancing, etc.

• Hands on experience with business operating systems such as Toyota Production System (TPS), Danaher Business System (DBS), etc.

• Demonstrated proficiency applying lean principles in manufacturing & transactional processes, time & project management.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent experience is required.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Superior communication skills.

• Hands-on and detail-oriented with ability to see big picture.

• Strong customer focus.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities and perform well under pressure, capable of operating in a fast-moving, ever-changing environment.

• Ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure.

• Ability to maintain both a high standard of courtesy and collaboration.

• Ability to accept responsibility for the direction, control or planning of an activity.

• Adaptability to situations requiring the precise attainment of set limits, tolerances, or standards.

Travel: 0-10%

Location: West Union, SC

Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!

The successful candidate's starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience. This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, hybrid work schedule, and more!

Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email Accessibility@itron.com.

Itron enables utilities and cities to safely, securely and reliably deliver critical infrastructure solutions. We provide smart networks, software, services, meters, and sensors to better manage electricity, gas, water and city services. We are dedicated to creating a more resourceful world.

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