Yamaha has an excellent opportunity for a Continuous Improvement Manager to join our Marine team in Kennesaw, GA. This position supports and leads the development and implementation of manufacturing process improvements and best practices across the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS) Marine Division’s 7+ manufacturing locations. These initiatives drive incremental improvements in safety, productivity, quality, efficiency, capacity, throughput, cost, and delivery, and include capital investments to drive profitability. This position is both strategic and tactical in nature and directs Yamaha activities in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement (CI), Problem Solving, Lean Transformation and Lean Leader development. Position helps develop long-term continuous improvement roadmaps using a One Yamaha approach across the Marine manufacturing locations. A large portion of the responsibilities include human resource development, and the facilitation of training on established Yamaha CI tools, as well as the development of new CI processes, training, and deployment strategies.
What you'll be doing:
- Work closely with manufacturing operations leadership to develop and execute operational improvement plans for short and long term.
- Lead or support Kaizen Blitz activities or Rapid Improvement Events.
- Serve as project manager for various focused capital and process improvement initiatives. Ability to lead cross-functional plant project teams.
- Provide Management with reports and status updates as needed to communicate progress on division goals and objectives.
- Mentor manufacturing staff of all subsidiaries to build the professional capabilities of the team and develop lean leaders at all levels.
- Educate manufacturing teams on lean manufacturing principles and practices.
- Directs assigned lean manufacturing projects to achieve targeted savings.
- Coordinate with marine business unit manufacturing subsidiaries to formulate long-term investment plans to meet YMUS strategic goals and objectives.
- Create, align, and implement manufacturing KPIs which support strategic objectives and performance improvement efforts at all subsidiaries.
What you'll need to be successful:
- Master’s degree preferred.
- 8-10 Years’ experience in manufacturing environment with operations management responsibility preferred.
- Bachler’s degree in Engineering or Business, Industrial Engineering degree preferred.
- Preferred experience in the marine, boat manufacturing, composites, or automotive industry.
- Proven record of achievements in high-value CI project execution. Expertise in improving man, machine, method, material flow. Understands what it takes to sustain such projects.
- Experience in developing short & long-term strategic directions for manufacturing in terms of CI initiatives.
- Understands how to manage people laterally to achieve progress.
- Demonstrated history of effectively leading a plant team in safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Solid experience in developing and conducting training.
- Proven record of facilitating Kaizen Blitz and Kaizen Projects.
- PMP or PPM certifications preferred.
- Knowledge in Lean Six Sigma (LLS) - preferably a Black Belt with two (2) years project experience preferred.
- Travel domestically- 60-75% and one international trip a year.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and underrepresented minorities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Yamaha, we understand that talent comes in various forms, as such we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!
What’s in it for you:
- 401(k) and Profit Sharing
- Fertility Benefits
- 37.5-hour workweek
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Wellness Program
- Short-Term Disability Coverage (for hourly roles)
- Long-Term Disability
- Student Debt Repayment Benefits
- Ability to borrow Yamaha product.
Reports to: Manufacturing Excellence Division Manager
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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