This Continuous Improvement / Lean Leader will be responsible for developing and implementing a plant-wide team system to develop a culture of improving key performance indicators such as manufacturing OEE, product quality, waste reduction, energy conservation, safety, operating costs and total preventative maintenance (TPM). This Lean Leader will utilize Lean, Six Sigma and methodologies, techniques, and tools to facilitate the transfer of such learning in the plant, develop individual champions and teams necessary to support continuous improvement activities consistent with business goals. Focus will be to conduct these activities in conjunction with other organizational functional leaders and members to solicit support for implementing continuous improvements to all processes. The incumbent will prepare and make presentations and status reports to keep local and corporate leaders abreast of priorities, progress, and results.

RESPONSIBILITIES/AUTHORITIES:

• Develop a Lean strategy for the plant to include specific goals, objectives, timetables, action plans, and key leader (hourly and salaried) enlistment strategies
• Train and mentor the leadership team and engineering staff in the principles, methods, and applications of the Lean process such that continuous improvement efforts are integrated into change management processes
• Coordinate plant level Lean initiatives with Exide's continuous improvement initiatives to ensure optimum use of resources and minimize redundancies
• Coordinate efforts with functional leaders, supervisors, and hourly associates in identifying improvement opportunities within the plant and develop justifications to substantiate potential cost savings to the plant
• Conduct time and motion studies and/or utilize value stream mapping and process charting establish and validate production standards and to troubleshoot and streamline work flows
• Foster and support the development of continuous improvement teams
• Participate in training and development programs including all areas of environmental, health and safety issues, especially those dealing with proper handling of hazardous materials and hazardous waste
• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions, work procedures, standard operating practices, and directions with or without immediate supervision
• Have independent problem-solving and decision-making skills

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience, Certifications:

• Minimum of 4 year technical degree in science, statistics, engineering, or quality
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt through and accredited organization
• 10 years’ experience in industrial manufacturing environment with excellent track record of business results and increasingly higher levels of responsibility in line operations or engineering leadership roles
• Minimum 3 years of experience in leading site level continuous improvement efforts and projects using Lean, 5s, and DMAIC methodologies
• Experience in change management and cultural transformation
• Experience in team development – problem solving, conflict resolution, building cooperative relationships, and effective communications

Competencies, Skills, Knowledge:

• Proven track record of developing, training, and coaching
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effectively communicate at all levels throughout the organization
• Leadership experience with significant and verifiable results
• Experience in manufacturing plants and processes
• Proficient in problem solving – Kaizen, LPA, 5s, VSM, DMAIC, Ishikawa, 5 why, etc.
• Knowledgeable in APQP methodology; Control Plans, FMEAs, MSAs, and PPAPs
• Ability to implement TPM
• Self-motivated and able to demonstrate leadership, team, and individual contributor accomplishments
• Passion for driving change in a complex environment
• Ability to communicate with senior levels of the organization
• Strong verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills

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Exide Technologies is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Exide Technologies (www.exide.com) is a global provider of stored electrical-energy solutions for the transportation and industrial markets. Exide’s 129 years of technology innovation combined with operations in more than 80 countries enables the company to deliver compelling solutions for the world’s current and future power needs. Exide produces and recycles a broad range of products, serving the Transportation, Industrial Power and Motive Power market segments with battery and energy storage systems and specialty applications for a broad range of industries including: agricultural, automotive, electric, light and heavy-duty truck, marine, materials handling, military, mining, powersport, railroad, security, telecommunications, utility and uninterruptible power supply (UPS), among others. Exide is Powering the World Forward - history and scale combined with a start-up mentality make Exide the right choice for customers who want more than simply a battery supplier.