Corporate Continuous Improvement Manager (Black Belt) (REQ729)

Corporate Continuous Improvement Manager (Black Belt)

Maryland Heights, MO

Spartech offers a competitive salary, incentives, and benefit programs!

Spartech, LLC, headquartered in Maryland Heights, Missouri, has over a dozen locations throughout the United States. We have a broad customer base with extensive product offerings and technologies. Many of our materials are used in products you might see every day - for example if you start your morning with a single serve yogurt, the container you ate from may be made from one of Spartech’s products or the refrigerator where the yogurt was stored could have Spartech products in its interior features. More unique uses of our products can be seen in military or security applications, for example in fighter jet canopies or bullet resistant windows. From routine daily-life to life-saving applications—we make a difference. Our broad scope of products and services keep our environment interesting and challenging with a culture focused on success. If you want to make a difference in a fast-paced environment with a company large enough to offer you room to grow but not so large that you become “just a number”, Spartech might be the ideal company for you.

General Summary and Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

This position will deliver measureable, sustainable operational improvements while executing the organization’s Vision / Mission / Strategy for Operational Excellence.  In addition to a “can-do” attitude, this role requires leadership and change management skills, problem solving, technology expertise, project management and personal discipline, and extensive experience and demonstrated competence in operational excellence and process improvement.  This position will lead, train, coach, inspire and mentor individuals throughout Spartech’s plants using Lean Six Sigma methodologies and personal leadership acumen.  This position will utilize JDI / Kaizen / DMAIC to deliver 4 to 6 prioritized projects annually that materially impact the company P&L.  Additionally, this position will support Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) training waves as required across Spartech’s footprint.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a change agent to establish a Continuous Improvement business culture throughout the organization
• Help employees create value and deliver process excellence
• Coach plants to incorporate proper Daily Direction Setting using Tier meetings and visual management
• Facilitate / coach Governance Reviews of key improvement projects for plants and Corporate
• Personally lead 4 to 6 formal projects annually that materially impact the company P&L
• Work with plant and Corporate contacts and organizational staff to identify, prioritize, manage, and execute CI Projects using standard methodologies
• Work with Operational Finance and Controlling to ensure improvement efforts are properly tracked and that results meet targeted savings
• Ensure proper control plans are developed and used to sustain improvements and meet business objectives
• Create value stream and / or process maps to identify improvement opportunities and standardize workflows
• Assist in supporting the Spartech LSSGB program delivering in-person training, Stage Gate coaching, and candidate project delivery
• As required, facilitate cross functional Kaizens to create and deliver company and customer value
• Drive cultural and systemic improvements that impact plant OEE / MUV (material efficiency, machine uptime, line rates, BOM optimization)
• Assist plants in efforts to optimize conversion costs
• Work with Corporate EHS, Quality, Commercial, and Executive leadership to improve company safety performance and our demonstrated value to customers and markets
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline (Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical preferred)
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified
• Minimum 5+ years of process improvement experience with progressive responsibility in a manufacturing environment, including extensive use of Lean Principles and Tools

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Polymer production or conversion knowledge, to include thermoplastics such as acrylics, polystyrene, polyester, and PVC
• Demonstrated results in improving operational metrics
• Competence with waste identification and elimination, process mapping, and use of statistical and reporting tools (e.g. Visio, Minitab, QI Macros, Excel, Power BI, etc.)
• Proven track record for developing, training, and coaching teams
• Able to filter through information, at times limited or ambiguous, and develop effective questions and actions
• Able to communicate to a broad audience within all levels of the organization
• Able to interface with customers and suppliers as needed
• Able to lead cross functional Kaizen events
• Strong coaching, counseling, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent public speaking and written skills in the English language
• Previous plant or operational management experience preferred
• Travel up to 75%

We offer competitive salary, incentives, and benefit programs. – Most Benefits Start Day ONE!

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Company paid Life & Long-term/Short-term disability programs.
• 401(k) with strong company match.
• 120 hours Paid Time Off (pro-rated based on hire date).
• 11 paid holidays.

Spartech, LLC provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, or other legally protected classification in the state in which a person is seeking employment. Spartech will use E-Verify to ensure employment eligibility of newly hired employees where required.