Continuous Improvement Lead - Military Veterans

Description & Requirements

WestRock (NYSE :WRK) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to more fiber-based packaging forward.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader plays a key role in building a sustainable culture of employee engagement in continuous improvement. This position will act as a change agent to elevate levels of plant performance and deliver high impact results. The CI Leader functions as a member of the site leadership team and is responsible for all operational excellence and world-class manufacturing activities. This role partners closely with divisional and site leadership to create and execute productivity strategies and ensure CI activities are aligned with business goals related to Safety, Quality, Cost, Service, and People.

Success in this role requires a leader who can effectively drive change in a fast-paced manufacturing environment utilizing continuous improvement methodologies and tools. Sample responsibilities include identifying / prioritizing improvement activities, tracking financial progress, and coaching / mentoring project leaders and teams. The ability to influence and lead others is key to success.

This role will be based in Aurora, IL and may require occasional travel.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Partner with divisional and site leaders to ensure CI priorities are aligned with overall business strategy and goals.
• Leverage a zero-loss mindset to identify and prioritize areas of improvement.
• Deliver value by both leading and supporting the focused execution of CI projects.
• Manage the pipeline of improvement projects, prioritization, and assignment of resources.
• Build capability in others through coaching and mentoring project leaders and teams.
• Support the implementation of enterprise initiatives including Daily Management System, Problem-Solving Practices, and Reliability Excellence.
• Coordinate regular progress reviews of CI projects with Finance, project leaders, site, and divisional leadership.
• Tracking and reporting of results including cost savings.
• Sharing best practices within and outside of the site.
• Supporting the enterprise L&D Framework, processes, and tools in partnership with the Operations, L&D team through day-to-day management of technical floor trainers.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT WESTROCK:

The CI Leader is responsible for driving improved results of key performance indicators (KPIs) through effective implementation of systems, tools, and processes. They are the lead trainer & coach for WestRock's Manufacturing Excellence systems & tools. They are responsible to support the health of the system and drive CI projects to meet plant savings goals.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field preferred, but not required.
• Black or Green Belt certification (or achieved within first year of employment) with experience in operational excellence tools such as Daily Management System, Reliability, Asset Utilization, and a variety of problem-solving practices.

Experience

• Experience with leading process improvement projects in a fast-paced and dynamic environment utilizing team centered analytical CI methodologies (lean, six sigma, etc.) with demonstrated results.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with progressive growth in responsibility. Paper and packaging experience is a plus.
• Experience supporting learning and training teams to ensure technical capabilities & a CI mindset is delivered to the floor.

Critical Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills from the shop floor to executive level.
• Ability to positively influence and persuade others.
• Passion and drive to improve systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, teach, and mentor others to drive business results.
• Financial acumen with ability to create financial models used to support project selection and tracking to determine net productivity value on the P&L.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Minitab, SmartSheet, SharePoint, and Visio.
• Time management and organization skills.

WestRock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create and maintain a diverse workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. WestRock does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.