Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement

General Overview

Job Title:  Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement
Functional Area:  Continuous Improvement (CI)
Career Stream:  Continuous Improvement (CTIM)
Role:  Senior Manager (SMG)
Job Code:  SMG-CI-CTIM
Job Band: 11
Direct/Indirect Indicator:  Indirect

Summary

Facilitate the development of the site/function strategy deployment plans for the senior management team and the management system to monitor the plan and measure its impact.  COS Incorporate the CI (Lean and Six Sigma) vision into all elements of the plan.  Recognized subject matter expert on Lean and Six Sigma principles, systems, methods and tools.  Responsible for driving CI to support the COS journey within Celestica.  Manage a team of direct and indirect resources to effectively support the execution of the strategy deployment plans.
- Large site (>6 CFTs and/or 250M+ annual revenue) or global function
- Contributes to multi-functional, regional or global assignments
- Requirement to demonstrate significant achievements

Detailed Description

Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Develop and promote a principle-based CI culture in the site/function and beyond
• Ensure that CI always supports the flow of value to customers, both internal and external
• Continually assess and reflect on the effectiveness of the strategy deployment and CI culture building - manage appropriate adjustments in execution to ensure delivery of objectives to the site/function
• Co-lead the site/function CI Committee with the site/function leader to ensure alignment and engagement of CI resources, prioritization and execution of CI activities aligned to the site/function strategy deployment plans, monitoring of appropriate metrics, CI recognition and appropriate reflection on the site/function strategy deployment plans
• Lead or facilitate the management gemba (“go and see”) with the site/function leader and all direct staff to understand how the work is done, act as coaches, establish and communicate a vision for CI culture and ensure its implementation.  Promote gemba activities within the organization.
• Facilitate the adoption and measurement of the Systematic CI Framework Standards
• Keep informed of good practices in the both broader Celestica network and the industry, so that new ideas can be integrated back into the site/function
• Ensure that the site/function leader and direct staff participate in charter reviews, kaizen/project readouts and CI recognition activities, so that senior management support is visible to the site/function employee population
• Identify the good CI activities within the site/function and ensure appropriate rewards & recognition are bestowed.  For example, Best Of Site/Function activities are identified and shared in Operations Central.
• Develop the skills of the CI team to ensure that they can effectively perform their responsibilities, enabling development for career progression
• Collaborate with regional and corporate CI teams for the Continuous Improvement activities execution
• Facilitate and mentor improvement and/or transformation efforts.  Provide subject matter expertise on an as needed basis.  Coordinate training for CI for Employees, CI for Leadership, Lean Green Belt and Six Sigma Green Belt certifications

Additional tasks specific to Corporate roles:

• Contribute to department activities that include:  global CI strategy development and deployment, best practice identification and promotion, Systematic CI maturity assessment calibration, CI communications that promote success stories and lessons for the organization
• Manage Six Sigma supporting software (Minitab), manage best practice sharing databases (Operations Central) and maintain global CI metrics
• Maintain and evolve Systematic CI Standards, CI training materials and standard CI templates and other documentation
• Work to achieve Master Black Belt certification
   

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Demonstrated experience of identifying the need for and implementing process improvements that resulted in significant gains in operational efficiencies
• Demonstrated success in leading/facilitating a CI transformation
• Strong professional acumen and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Proven project management and organizational skills and expertise
• Must have the ability to handle multiple priority tasks in a manner that meets business requirements
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead without direct authority by acting as a change agent
• Trains/coaches/mentors others in CI subject matter
• The ability to apply the scientific method through PDCA or DMAIC to solve complex cross-functional and technical problems where the symptom(s) and/or root cause(s) are not understood
• The ability to analyze data with strong technical mathematical skills
• Experience in key facets of complex manufacturing and support function environments
• Proven ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization
• Management experience within a matrix organization
• People management and development experience
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Planning
• Problem solving
• Results oriented
• Leadership
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Flexibility      

Physical Demands

Duties of this position are performed in generally good conditions with occasional exposure (10% - 33%) to noise, odours, dust, drafts, chemicals, operating machinery, temperature extremes, hazardous substances, etc.
Duties may require regular periods of sitting and/or standing and sustained visual concentration on observing operations.  Repetitive manual movements (e.g. data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, time studies, assembling workstations/racking, labeling, floor taping, etc., as applicable) are regularly required.
Occasional overnight travel is required.

Typical Experience

8+ years of relevant experience, minimum 5 years management experience
Lean and Six Sigma Black Belts
Should be very experienced in CI and will have worked on a CI deployment in a past role
Experience in change management
Operations experience is also essential

Typical Education

Bachelor Degree or consideration of an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Specialized Knowledge / Skills

Educational Requirements may vary by Geography

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.