Director Continuous Improvement

At Generac, our people help make the world safer, brighter, and more productive. We are united by our efforts to inspire change for a better world; impact our people and community; influence and achieve positive results; and innovate the industry. Our shared goals allow people with diverse backgrounds and points of view to work together, bringing our global customers peace of mind through reliable products and exceptional support.

Job Summary: The Director – Global Continuous Improvement (CI) will be responsible for leading and managing the deployment of Generac CI tools, methodologies, standards and processes across the enterprise. Responsibilities include designing, coordinating and delivering practical, hands-on training and project execution, focused on lean methodology and tools in order to eliminate waste in all administrative, operations and support functions, and to instill a continuous improvement culture throughout the organization. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that are deployed through the global CI teams to eliminate waste across the enterprise with a standardized approach towards problem solving (tools and methods) and daily continuous improvement. The Director will lead the Global Generac Lean Academy (GLA) that guides employees toward Bronze and Silver Certification in order to build a Global CI team of CI SMEs who will play a key role in aligning CI best practices across the business. This position will work closely with cross-functional teams at all of the Generac global facilities. Success in this role is defined by successfully carrying out the CI strategy that will optimize lean processes, practices, policies, standards and metrics that meet or exceed company business objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Instill a continuous improvement culture throughout the organization with a standardized approach towards problem solving (tools and methods) and daily continuous improvement;
• Work with the business leaders at all of the Generac global facilities to identify process gaps that will be captured in continuous improvement plans and facilitated by the CI teams for impactful results;
• Facilitate enterprise level Kaizen and Rapid Process Improvement (RPI) events for processes that have a cross-functional impact to eliminate waste, reduce cycle time and improve the Generac business performance while establishing a sustainable model for continuous improvement;
• Complete strategic projects and continuous improvement events in alignment with the strategic deployment plan.
• Develop, maintain and deploy Generac CI tools, methodologies, standards and processes utilizing customer demand operating principles across the enterprise through focused CI training programs;
• Develop and implement training strategy that will optimize lean processes, practices, policies, standards and metrics that meet or exceed company business objectives;
• Lead the development and deployment of the Global Generac Lean Academy, including the candidate selection, assessment and project completion processes;
• Ensure that the Generac Lean Academy delivers practical, hands-on training focused on lean methodology and problem solving in order to eliminate waste in all administrative, operations and support functions;
• Work cross functionally with the business leaders at all of the Generac global facilities to identify organizational needs, train and coach candidates on lean and continuous improvement methods, mentor candidates to program completion and certification.
• Develop new programs that support the Generac Manufacturing System (GMS) based upon priorities of the OPEX Continuous Improvement Plan.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent experience;
• 7 years of experience in a manufacturing operations environment;
• 10 years of experience in implementing Lean and Six Sigma tools and concepts;
• Ability to travel up to 30%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree, MS and/or MBA;
• Proven experience in demand flow principles and plan for every part methodologies;
• Successful history of Lean and Continuous Improvement project execution;
• Lean and Six Sigma or equivalent certification;
• Proven work history in an international company and in matrix organizations;
• Multi-site manufacturing experience.
• SHINGO model experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to understand financial measurements and goals in the lean enterprise;
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior management, teams and individuals across multiple cultures, disciplines and geographies;
• Strong problem solving skills; the ability to ask the right questions, help frame logical conclusions and arrive at effective solutions;
• Strong verbal and written communication competencies;
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP (SAP/ORACLE)

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”