Supplier Performance Regional Lean Expert

Role Summary/Purpose

Drive lean initiatives across the suppliers. Manages the value stream map for the suppliers and is responsible to work with sourcing and supplier performance team and the Plants to establish a customer-based process improvement strategy, which drives safety, lead time reduction, supplier on time delivery, productivity, and quality improvement in line with business/functional objectives.

Essential Responsibilities

• Create the Lean vision and implement a Lean strategy on PT suppliers to reduce PT products lead time, PT inventory and waste.
• Deploy the Lean implementation at supplier sites in team with Plants initiatives and drive cross-functional results.
• Lead and develop Lean Facilitators in Supplier performance team and in Supplier organization.
• Support early integration of Lean principles to simplify internal process and tools.
• Drive measurable improvements in supplier lead-time, supplier on time delivery, overall supplier installed capacity estimation vs forecast (in team with GCL) being beneficial to plants productivity, inventory and product flow.
• Support suppliers on developing value stream maps for the Organization and eliminate process waste through Lean techniques implementation.
• Guide supplier performance team and suppliers in developing and executing Lean plans to monitor and increase overall supplier performance managing multiple value streams, serving as a recognized expert and resource leader for focus areas delivering significant simplification results. Support on supplier auditing process and audit plan.
• Establish and drive a Gemba walk methodology that drives cross functional focus on the Supplier production line and quickly solves impediments to flow.
• Assist suppliers and supplier performance team in Lean plan execution by leading Action Work Outs (AWOs) developing simple solutions to eliminate “constrains”, developing pull systems where flow is not possible, training personnel, and other activities to improve supplier performance.
• Prepare Lean review presentations and pitch to business leaders on Sourcing and Lean business reviews.
• Coach, train and mentor Sourcing organization, Supplier performance engineers, GCL on the fundamentals and principals of Lean Manufacturing.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college (Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering preferred)
• Formal Lean Training/certification
• 3-5 yrs of experience as a Lean Ldr for a Plant with a record of implementing significant change, in Lead Time and improving inventory turns Yr over Yr, Hands-on experience in Lean deployment and driving changes in production shop floor and supply chain through strategic projects.
• 3-5 Yrs Mfg Experience (roles such as Manufacturing engineering, production supervisor, Industrial engineer)
• Demonstrated Leadership experience.
• Strong Influencing skills
• Lean certification
• Availability to travel (50%)

Desired Characteristics

• Six Sigma Green / Black belt certification or equivalent Lean certification
• Ability to audit suppliers, process, quality systems or equivalent Auditor certification.
• Ability to develop and motivate suppliers and internal team through commitment to meet stakeholders and organization demands.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Change agent with strong credibility and influence in the organization
• Demonstrated commitment for process improvement.