Job Summary

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for identifying and delivering for improvement across Safeguard Medical, its customers, and suppliers. Responsible for implementing and managing the Safeguard continuous improvement program including training, standardization, and execution. Responsible for organizing and facilitating project-based endeavors, which may include identifying and resolving operational issues, enhancing productivity, reducing waste, improving customer service, or reducing costs.   

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and implement strategies to improve efficiency and quality through an ongoing CI program.   
• Lead and oversee continuous improvement initiatives that result in quality, productivity, and cost savings.
• Create and implement training and staff development programs. Facilitate training on continuous improvement tools and techniques. 
• Work with stakeholders to develop significant lean opportunities for improvement throughout the organization. 
• Analyze data to identify trends and areas of opportunity. 
• Monitor progress of continuous improvement initiatives including impact to customers and business.   
• Network with internal/external resources to bring best practices to lean projects and the organization. 
• Develop training materials for lean processes and principles, as well as other training materials as necessary. 
• Provide education and mentoring to employees on lean principles and techniques.  
• Facilitates and leads the continuous improvement process by identifying training needs and providing training in problem solving methodology, Kaizen, 5S, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping, etc. 
• Ensure open communication throughout the organization by keeping management informed of project status and ensuring coordination of lean activities. 
• Manage the development and maintenance of methods and systems for measuring to ensure that project goals, objectives, and metrics are being met and maintained. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, ideally in operations management, business, or a related field.  
• 5+ years continuous improvement experience in a global manufacturing organization. 
• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or other relevant methodologies preferred. 

Competencies

• Enthusiastic about continuous improvement with the ability to inspire and motivate others. A positive and forceful character, able to get and develop the best out of people through motivation and coaching. 
• A thorough understanding of lean, six sigma, and other continuous improvement tools.   
• Very resilient, able to facilitate and support opposing views to provide a win-win for all parties.  
• Well organized and self-motivated, practical, numerate, and literate (good communication all round).  
• Capable of handling a diverse range of initiatives and work with a diverse workforce. 
• Very strong interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to respond quickly to a fast-paced work environment and adjust initiatives and priorities accordingly. 
• Organizational skills including the ability to juggle multiple priorities, functions, and projects. 
• Problem solving skills and the ability to apply them in a team context.  
• Ability to objectively observe, reflect, and conclude.  
• Black Belt or Green Belt training preferred. 

Physical Requirements

Performing the duties of this job regularly involves sitting, standing, and walking for long periods of time. Occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds. 

Mental Requirements

This position requires the ability to: maintain an appropriate work pace; to comprehend and follow instructions; to exercise logic and reasoning; to organize and prioritize, read, problem solve, make decisions, count, and compute, analyze, and interpret data, multi-task/re-direct, experience numerous interruptions. This position requires the ability to maintain the highest standards of professional maturity and emotional intelligence even in difficult or stressful situations. 

Other Requirements

20% domestic and international travel.  

Work Environment

Office, warehouse, manufacturing environments. 

This job description is not designed to cover an exhaustive list of duties. Other duties may be assigned, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Safeguard Medical is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination?based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Safeguard Medical believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.