Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees have the power to change lives, in our homes, work and communities. We foster an inclusive environment while honoring a legacy built on family, where everyone can be themselves.
If you are ready to join an industry leading organization where our people are the most important asset, and innovation propels us into the future, you’re ready to take your seat at La-Z-Boy Incorporated.
WE BELIEVE IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF COMFORT
Job Summary:
This position plays a pivotal role within the Global Research and Development team, driving financial efficiency and process excellence across both new product development and existing product changes. This position combines advanced cost analysis with process optimization to support innovative product launches and ensure cost-effectiveness. The role will leverage their expertise to assess and manage product costs, conduct detailed time studies, and recommend impactful improvements. In addition to supporting new product initiatives, the role will focus on optimizing costs and processes for existing products, ensuring continuous product improvement and value enhancement. By collaborating with global cross-functional teams in R&D, manufacturing, and Supply Chain, the role will be instrumental in refining processes, boosting product value, and achieving strategic financial goals. This role will not only influence the successful execution of Global R&D projects but also drive ongoing improvements, contributing significantly to the organization’s competitive edge.
Job Description:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):
- Conduct detailed cost analyses for materials and labor in new product development and engineering changes.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive cost database to support accurate and timely product costing.
- Collaborate with R&D teams to implement cost-saving measures and assess financial impacts on product quality and performance.
- Prepare and present cost reports with actionable recommendations for cost reduction and efficiency improvements.
- Perform time and motion studies to evaluate and enhance the efficiency of product development processes.
- Use tools and techniques to measure and record task times and process efficiencies, identifying areas for improvement.
- Analyze data to pinpoint inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for process optimization.
- Work with cross-functional teams to implement and monitor process improvements.
- Support the standardization of cost structures and manufacturing processes across R&D projects.
- Evaluate cost impacts of design changes, new materials, and process changes.
- Conduct benchmarking activities to compare costs and processes with industry standards and competitors.
- Act as a liaison between R&D, procurement, and other teams to ensure cost efficiency and process alignment.
- Train team members on processes and standards, and review their work, as requested by leadership.
- Review and analyze blueprints and other technical data to provide labor standards, driving the global supply chain incentive system.
SCOPE & IMPACT:
This position is a key player in the Global R&D team, crucial for enhancing efficiency and product and process excellence on a worldwide scale. This role combines advanced cost analysis with product and process optimization to support both new product developments and improvements to existing products. By collaborating with global cross-functional teams in R&D, manufacturing, and Supply Chain, the role ensures cost-effectiveness and value optimization across all projects. Their contributions are vital for refining products, processes, achieving strategic financial goals, and maintaining a competitive advantage, significantly impacting the organization’s success in the global market.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related field with 4-6 years of work experience or equivalent.
- Proficient in product cost analysis, time study, and product improvement, with a strong understanding of furniture manufacturing processes and DFM principles.
- Proficient in data analysis tools and software, and Microsoft Office (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
- Strong understanding of furniture manufacturing processes, including applications of DFM principles.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret part prints.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders.
- Up to 25% travel required
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering.
- Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement.
- Certification in Lean Six Sigma or similar process improvement methodologies.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Often sits, repeated hand motion (such as typing), talking, standing, balancing. Seldom will you be bending, stooping, climbing stairs or ladders, kneeling, squatting reaching overhead or pulling and pushing. May be in proximity to moving parts, noise, fumes, odors, gasses, subject to oils and or poor ventilation. Often operates in a professional office environment using standard office equipment.
OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Weekly Hours:
40
Work Shift:
At La-Z-Boy Incorporated, we're an equal opportunity employer. We understand that our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints add value to our ability to create and deliver the best possible service, quality products, and is of upmost importance as we work together to build comfort. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.We are committed to fostering an environment in which all employees feel valued, included, and empowered to do their best work and bring great ideas to the table. If you are a qualified individual that may need a change or adjustment to the application/interviewing/hiring process as a result of your disability, you may request a reasonable accommodations by emailing our recruiting team at [email protected] or by calling 734-242-1444.
Top Skills
What We Do
La-Z-Boy Incorporated brings the transformational power of comfort to people, homes, and communities around the world—a mission that began when our founders invented the iconic recliner in 1927. Today, we operate as a vertically integrated furniture manufacturer and retailer, committed to uncompromising quality and compassion for our consumers.
Our Retail segment consists of 184 company-owned La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores and is part of a broader network of over 350 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries®, serving customers nationwide when coupled with La-Z-Boy.com. Joybird®, an ecommerce retailer and manufacturer of modern upholstered furniture, has 12 stores in the U.S. In our Wholesale segment, we manufacture comfortable, custom furniture for our Furniture Galleries® and a variety of retail channels: England Furniture Co., which offers custom upholstered furniture, and casegoods brands Kincaid®, American Drew®, and Hammary®, which provide pieces that make every room feel like home.
The La-Z-Boy Incorporated state-of-the-art, LEED-certified world headquarters is located in Monroe, Michigan. This location along with our Innovation Center in Dayton, Tennessee, and all our North American manufacturing locations all represent our commitment to the environment—we integrate sustainable business practices to reduce the impact of our operations.
Being a great employer isn’t limited to our sustainability or record-breaking safety performance; it also means being a good corporate citizen. In FY 2023, La-Z-Boy Incorporated and the La-Z-Boy Foundation granted more than $3 million to non-profit organizations through monetary and in-kind donations. Our signature partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) helps give families a comfortable home away from home while their children receive much-needed medical care, as we’ve donated more than 15,000 pieces of furniture to RMHC® homes.
Join our team to impact the world through comfort.
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