Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 500+ passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

As our Lean Manufacturing Leader, you'll be the captain of the ship, steering us toward leaner manufacturing processes. We're talking about creating streamlined efficiencies and propelling into excellence! If you've got the vision and the drive, come join our team!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Develops and implements lean manufacturing strategies, goals and initiatives to improve operational efficiency, flow, reduce waste and enhance productivity.
• Leads and mentors cross-functional teams in the application of lean tools and methodologies, including value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, kaizen events, and continuous improvement projects.
• Partners with production, engineering and supply chain teams to identify opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction throughout the value stream.
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement by fostering employee engagement, empowerment and accountability at all levels of the organization.
• Builds a team with permanent and rotational assignments to help implement strategies while developing them in the ways of continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with leadership to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track progress, measure results and drive sustainable improvements.
• Leads lean training and education initiatives to build organizational capability and ensure alignment with lean principles and practices.
• Provides guidance and support to cross-functional teams during lean projects and initiatives, ensuring successful implementation and sustainable results.
• Stays current on industry best practices and emerging trends in lean manufacturing, and incorporates new methodologies and technologies as appropriate.
• Will perform additional responsibilities when required 

Leadership Responsibilities: 

Directly supervises department teams. Carries out supervisory responsibilities following Whisker policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and hiring, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, addressing team issues, and upholding safety and quality guidelines. 

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in lean manufacturing and operational leadership roles, with a proven track record of implementing lean principles and driving operational excellence.
• Strong knowledge of lean tools and methodologies, including value stream mapping, 5S, kanban, SMED, TPM, and kaizen.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving cultural change in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs) 

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Experience with Injection molded plastics
• Master's degree is a plus, but not required
• Experience with electronic components (i.e.; motors, wire harnesses, printed circuit boards)
• Experience with Google Suite
• CAD experience

Benefits & Perks:

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance 
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts 
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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