Focused Improvement Engineer

This role is a key contributor within the Site Team to focus on delivering primarily a significant and sustained reduction of Non-Quality Costs (NQC) and secondly other elements within Product Conversion Cost (PCC), to levels consistent with similar technologies throughout the Global and world-class organizations.

In that journey of improvement, it is key that this role drives improvement using Mars Supply Excellence tools. The incumbent will identify, diagnose, and drive NQC/PCC reduction initiatives and actions across RC Sites in North America.

This role will understand losses and opportunities originated through Loss Tree analysis and on-the-floor observations and translate those opportunities into activities/processes to drive continuous improvement.

What are we looking for?

• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

• 1+ year of Direct Manufacturing Site experience. 

• Role requires travel (25% aprox) to participate in training and support other Sites

• Preferred experience working in relationship-based team environment

• Certified in Problem Solving Methodologies or similar, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt or actively working towards it is a strong positive

• Functional knowledge of factory operations with deep functional knowledge in Problem Solving Methodologies, Data Collection, and value stream mapping

• Trained in and can demonstrate a variety of problem-solving skills.

• Working knowledge of SPC (statistical process control), RCLMS and Production reporting and how it can impact NQC & PCC

• Understanding of site waste reports including QFS costs, variance and floor scrap.

• Knowledge of (and a passion for) best in class Mars business processes and systems solutions

• Excellent, analytical, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively and proactively, while balancing a variety of priorities and workload.

• Ability to handle complex challenges across all functions

• Ability to motivate and influence a broad, cross functional team.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Utilize loss analysis methodology and site loss trees to identify, prioritize and execute PCC savings projects across Royal Canin North America Sites

• Work with Site Industrial Engineer, Area Owners and Operational Leads to make losses visible and deliver the organizational capability to eliminate them.  This includes building the problem-solving capability and the process to manage focused improvement initiative with cross-functional teams across the organization. 

• Provide leadership to deploy best practices and Regional initiatives

• Use tools available such as RCLMS, Scrap and Rework tracking systems and “Go and See” to understand contributing factors for NQC and make recommendations to improve/change.

• Work directly with and coach multiple site resources to use data-based problem-solving methodologies to reduce NQC and potentially other costs and ensure problems are resolved to root cause.

• Help the organization by coaching associates at various levels and coordinate resources across multiple sites to deliver DiB in PCC improvements

• Ensure control methodologies and processes are embedded to prevent re-occurrence.

• Willingness to spend up to 75% of time on the manufacturing floor diagnosing, analyzing, and establishing best-in-class processes, including off shifts

• The successful incumbent will need to demonstrate key strengths in influencing without authority at all levels of the organization and negotiation skills to deliver sustainable change. The successful candidate will have strong problem solving and coaching skills, as well as a strong drive for results.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus and 401K matching program.

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