Continuous Improvement Manager

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Operations Excellence, the Continuous Improvement Manager will be tasked with investigating, sourcing, and developing solutions to address gaps and losses throughout Operations for our sites in the US and Mexico. This role will be responsible for identifying and leading initiatives that result in improving manufacturing efficiencies via lean, six sigma and other continuous improvement techniques. This position will partner with and support the efforts & objectives of the Site Director of Operations for each of the respective sites. This position will serve as the subject matter expert in continuous improvement methodologies, providing oversight, training, and coaching for site Continuous Improvement leaders and establishing disciplined continuous improvement approaches that will drive efficiencies across all areas of Operations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Drive implementation and maturity of the Tarkett Operating System by leading and executing programs & projects that help to achieve the annual business objectives. Will partner with key stakeholders in manufacturing locations to develop plans to demonstrate maturity year over year and provide hands on support for these local implementation plans.

• Build rapport with Site Director of Operations to be a resource for them to pull on and are seen as an extension of their leadership team. Collaborate with the site leadership teams to identify and lead projects that improve all five focus areas to achieve targeted performance levels.

• Remain current on the performance and KPIs for the sites. Partner with site Continuous Improvement Managers to analyze data, identify trends/gaps and actions/improvement plans to address gaps. Deliver tangible results aligned with the site/business objectives and provide hands on leadership of projects to support the improvement plans within the respective plants.

• Lead Kaizen or focused improvement events/workshops to attack inefficiencies at the plants and deliver appreciable results. This includes planning of events and resources, training and leading teams, achieving event objectives, and documenting event performance and results. Transition ownership of completed projects to the local operations team and support sustaining activities to ensure results are maintained.

• Lead/Facilitate the use of advanced problem-solving methodologies and tools, including root cause analysis, 4D/8D, lean six sigma, A3, tier meetings and other applicable tools. Help the sites become more process and data driven.

• Help plant leadership establish, sustain, or improve Tiered meeting structure (depending on where the site is at in this journey) at each manufacturing facility to manage the facility and foster a CI culture that taps the total potential of the organization and builds engagement.

• Create and administer training sessions related to lean, six sigma or other continuous improvement topics to mature the organization.

• Lead the effort to standardize & drive execution of the Cost Deployment (CD) loop across the network as the method to develop PAP (Productivity Action Plan) projects for budget and pipeline for future years.

• Participate in the annual Productivity Action Planning (PAP) process. Assist the sites in delivering the budgeted/targeted savings by leading and supporting improvement initiatives across all focus areas: safety, service, quality, cost, people.

• Educate, coach, & train TNA WCM Leaders & others in the organization.

• Act as the subject matter expert for continuous improvement methodologies and tools (internal and common/standard). Models Operational Excellence for the team.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline required. Industrial Engineering or similar discipline preferred

• 5+ years of Continuous Improvement career progression in manufacturing

• 3+ years of team leadership, preferably leading a shift or department in a manufacturing setting in a similar industry

• Experience in Lean & Continuous improvement support function with a strong kaizen culture

KEY SUCCESS TRAITS:

• The ability to influence activities outside of direct-line control are a must

• Low ego and apolitical is a must for cultural fit

 “Metrics/Data Driven” highly developed ability to understand and digest metrics, data, and financials to see through the numbers with respect to costs, pricing, projections and market data.

 “Collaborative” track record of forming strong linkages/relationships with the other functional areas/working cross-functionally, particularly with sales/marketing, finance, human resources, and product development, and R&D.

 “Pragmatic” can readily move between strategic and tactical thinking (and behavior), planning and execution, and leading and managing.

 “Humble Confidence” must be a transparent communicator that strikes the right balance between confidence and humility.

What We Offer

• A commitment that Safety is #1

• Competitive benefits, pay, and retirement plan options!

• Career growth, stability, and flexible work arrangements.

Responsible Manufacturing – Protecting Our Planet for the Future

• We utilize renewable energy and a closed loop recycled water process.

• We are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and water consumption.

• We are the only flooring company recognized by the Asthma and Allergy foundation.

Who we are:

With a history of 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative flooring and sport surface solutions with 12,000 employees and 34 industrial sites. Offering a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, rubber, carpet, wood, laminate, artificial turf, and athletic tracks. The Group serves customers in more than 100 countries across the globe.

Committed to change the game with circular economy and to reducing its carbon footprint, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy based on Cradle to Cradle® principles, fully aligned with its Tarkett Human-Conscious Design® approach.

Tarkett is listed on Euronext (Compartment B, ISIN FR0004188670, ticker: TKTT). www.tarkett-group.com

Tarkett is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and promote an inclusive workplace where all employees can perform at their best.