SUMMARY: The Continuous Improvement Specialist focus is primarily to improve the overall client value and carry out various activities to achieve the best results. Will be responsible for playing a crucial role in ensuring that plant KPI’s are calculated and reported, plant efficiency is increased by eliminating the wastes and taking into consideration what are the things that will actually matter rather than blindly accepting the existing ideas and practices. Works with managers, supervisors, subordinates, and trainers to develop and initiate a yield and quality program that will help in closing the gaps that have been identified, thus enhancing the productivity and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

The CI Specialist/ FPA Specialist will be responsible for data collection, creating and reporting plant KPI’s and find ways to improve the plant productivity and yields. Reviews production areas for potential safety hazards and makes sure that all the safety practices are being followed while implementing the new processes. Trains the supervisors, trainers, and operators and incorporates quality checks and balances the workflow to increase the productivity. Helps in preparing and maintaining the detailed layouts, designs, develops, tests, and cost justifies various tools, equipment, and machinery that may be required for various production processes.

This professional is responsible for leading and deploying the best practices in the production organization by taking initiative to support continuous improvement in various production processes by reducing the tooling costs and improving the flow of material and reviewing cycle times and/or labor utilization. Will work towards achieving the production goals and objectives of the organization. Facilitates, executes and manages projects to reduce the costs significantly by implementing Lean/CI and Six Sigma tools and methodologies. Uses their expertise to identify and recommend improvements by applying the relevant principles. To better understand as to what are the responsibilities and duties that need to be shouldered by this professional, listed below are some points that will help you in providing valuable guidance:

• The professional will execute time motion studies, capacity analysis for production. Professional will work with cross functional teams across plant to do value stream mapping.
• To make optimum utilization of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools to assist in preparing the feasibility studies and ensure that the costs incurred are justified
• To evaluate various improvements that need to be done and create value analysis and to look for ways to reduce the costs in the production and production support applications
• To confer with the senior and other related personnel to create layouts, equipment designs and other analysis/improvement plans and to clarify and resolve any relevant issues
• To give directions to help in preparing the layouts, visual aids, and detailed drawings that will eventually assist in improving the production processes
• To achieve cost effective designs and to carry out research, design, and development work of the production process that would include full production value stream – barn, kill, cut, packaging and warehouse methods, production flow and production equipment
• Helps in determining the root causes for those system inefficiencies and failures and makes recommendations for changes in designs and the related processing methodologies; identify the key areas for improving these standards and incorporates new techniques to enhance the existing operating standards. Will be responsible for training and mentoring new staff personnel and assisting other team members. Involved in preparing the documentation for the improved processes and ensures that the product designs manufactured are up to the standard levels.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: A bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar field. A minimum of 5 years of meat industry work experience a plus. A demonstrated working knowledge of Lean/CI/Six Sigma with good project management skills would be beneficial. The individual who has completed formal training in Lean/CI/Six Sigma will definitely be preferred and have an edge over the rest of the candidates. Experience using advanced excel functions.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management, and employees. Must have the ability to influence and persuade others. Must be extremely well organized and should have the ability to identify problems and resolve them quickly.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents in the English language such as safety files, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Bilingual skills a plus.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to apply mathematical applications to practical situations. Demonstrated ability to understand advanced statistics and statistical analysis for data analysis and process control.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written and/or verbal form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Must have the ability to manage multiple projects accurately and confidently. Strong understanding of project implementations, project structure and life cycle and best practice standards and tools.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong personal computer skills (Microsoft products) and Market Research skills are beneficial. Must have strong change management skills; team-driven with positive attitude and should be process-oriented to achieve results. Excellent analytical skills combined with good negotiation and conflict management skills. To make a successful career in the field of CI engineering, an individual should be adaptable to accept new changes in the field of Lean enterprise and should remain abreast with the latest developments happening in that field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to move about the facility. The employee is required to sit; use hands to finger; handle; or feel/hold objects; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; speak; hear taste and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Individual must be able to effectively work in a normal production environment where temperatures and noise levels may vary, including climate extremes and a loud work environment. Generally, the incumbent may stand and walk for extended periods of time and also must be able to sit and use a computer for extended periods of time.