Director, Operational Excellence

Job Title Director, Operational Excellence Job ID 27750481 Location Chattanooga, TN, Other Location Description BUILT TO CONNECT

Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.

About The Position

This position works closely with every aspect of the business to identify process improvement opportunities (remove waste, enhance agility, reduce costs) and help create a sustainable competitive advantage through the use of Continuous Improvement / Lean principles and methods. Also, develops and sustains a Quality Management System to enhance and ensure customer-focused market success through process performance and reliability throughout the company.

Key Deliverables

• Ensure products and services are fit for purpose.
• Provide continuous improvement to support the development of sustainable processes.
• Provide individuals with the proper support to drive organization improvements.
• Develop and coordinate Lean meetings and training.
• Maintain company-wide documentation while promoting standard work and process integrity.
  
  

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Implement Continuous Improvement System via Lean and Quality to support the development and deployment of the future state design and sustainable enterprise-wide improvement processes.
• Develop and deploy an effective measurement and reporting system for strategic alignment and focus.
• Interact and communicate with all managers, associates, suppliers and customers to help establish Lean values and a Complete Quality culture and assure the needed resources and commitment to drive improvements.
• Enhance and support the Sales & Operations Planning process by ensuring Value Stream clarity, effective VS metrics and defined demand takt times.
• Reduce Value Stream cycle times to continually enhance agility through waste elimination & process flow improvements throughout the organization.
• Lead the transition from MRP-based push manufacturing methodology to Lean-based pull manufacturing methodology with visual controls.
• Establish and maintain companywide process documentation system to promote standard work and process integrity.
• Ensure end-to-end application of Lean and Quality principles and practices, from New Product Development to Service and Support.
• Lead Kaizen Events, 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping, Theory of Constraints Projects, TPM, Set-Up Reduction, Defect Prevention, Leadership Development, and other CI efforts.
• Coordinate Lean training and development activities of all associates and grow Lean Champions and Kaizen Leaders.
• Coordinate Lean monthly management review meeting and participate in monthly/quarterly/annual corporate led Lean meetings.
• Develop, maintain, and further refine a Quality Management System that is focused on prevention and efficiency in all functions of the Company.
• Establish and maintain the Company Quality Manual to keep current with ongoing organizational needs, including ISO-9000 compliance where appropriate.
• Implement ‘built-in quality’ or ‘quality at the source’ - meet with suppliers, customers, quality representatives, and Company personnel to discuss and resolve issues as required.
• Manage/supervise Quality function employees and provide guidance for their activities.
• Oversee the welding certification program & assist in the mentoring, training & development of new welders & operators.
• Work with Purchasing to improve and maintain Supplier performance; develop and maintain a Supplier Performance Index to assure that only capable suppliers are retained.
• Prepare for and represent the Company during any quality audits.
• Prepare all necessary reports as required by any agencies, customers, and staff personnel.
• Executes internal Sarbanes-Oxley control responsibilities with diligence and integrity. These internal control responsibilities are communicated to the person fulfilling this position, and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to performance of internal control responsibilities.
  
  

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or closely related degree is preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in a Continuous Improvement or operations management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experienced in leading a Lean transformation in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations.
• Demonstrated problem solving and project management skills.
• Conceptual Thinking - ability to think in terms of abstract ideas
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, ERP, and other applicable programs.
• Must have a win-win mentality & the ability to overcome obstacles, both technical & non-technical.
• Requires steady energy and focused planning and organizing skills.
• Strong facilitation & training skills needed to deliver Quality and Lean Manufacturing concepts, principles & practices.
• Ability to work well with others. Must have strong team-building skills and be successful in facilitating team-based initiatives.
• Requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, business process improvement knowledge, and ability to train others with diverse backgrounds and education levels.
• Ability to perform work in a heavy industrial setting, with exposure to fumes/smoke.
  
  

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

Manage/supervise Quality function employees and provide guidance for their activities.

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success
  
  

NOTE: This position responsible for certain internal control responsibilities. These internal control responsibilities are verbally communicated to the incumbent and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to the performance of these internal control responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Manufacturing Environment

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.