Continuous Improvement Lead

Join the Carolina Cat Team

As a family-owned company under our third generation of leadership, we have built our business based on the principles of trust, integrity, and a desire to help our customers and employees succeed.

Since 1926, we’ve supported our communities by supplying equipment for critical infrastructure and commerce and by donating our time and resources to area nonprofits. We make smart investments in our company and continuously improve as part of our vision to be a trailblazing company that’s built to last.

We’re looking for hard-working, team-oriented professionals who enjoy working on new challenges every day. We believe our employees are the key to our success, and we’re committed to providing a work experience that helps our team grow to their full potential.

Collectively, our employees work together to make a difference for our customers, our communities, and our company. Learn more about what it means to become a team member with Carolina Cat.

Summary

The Continuous Improvement Lead provides continuous improvement and Lean expertise for Carolina CAT. This individual will directly support various client groups across the business and will be integral to the business transformation by serving teams as an analyst, facilitator, coach, strategist and project manager. 

Essential Functions

• Serve as a champion for change by influencing and guiding teams to better understanding and adopt of lean principals and PDCA methodology, ultimately fostering a culture of change and operational excellence across assigned client groups and business divisions.
• Lead the planning and execution of Kaizens and other Lean transformation initiatives focused on safely eliminating waste, stabilizing processes, and improving quality and productivity.
• Support adherence of Kaizen standard work by ensuring high levels of engagement and collaboration during pre-work, event week and post-event weeks.
• Deliver on business outcomes in partnership with operations through data deep dives, root cause analysis and KPI measurement towards an end result leading towards improved safety, quality, delivery and cost performance across the business
• Training and coaching all associates via formal training and Gemba walks on problem solving behaviors and basic Lean methodologies including visual management, 5S, MDI, standardized work, and LSW.
• Analyze data and use value stream mapping to vision and transform current processes and procedures towards a new future state.
• Build cross-functional relationships within the value stream to build trust and gain the privilege of challenging the current state and embodiment of the company value “Improve, Always”
• Strong understanding of change management to build momentum and excitement for operational changes across the business.
• Utilization of project management software to plan, guide, implement, follow through, and sustain process improvements across the organization.
• Travel: ~25% to Carolina CAT branches throughout central and western NC 
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualifying individuals to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering or a related discipline 
• Strong communication, facilitation, and project management skills with the ability to speak effectively with various audiences
• Viewed as a leader who can motivate teams and bring a strong positive attitude towards change
• 3-5+ years of experience in practicing LEAN methodologies (i.e. PDCA, Kaizen, MDI, 5S, Process Mapping, A3 problem solving, Kanban, preferably with Operations, Service or job shop experience)
• 3-5+ years of experience in teaching and implementing CI/Lean methodologies preferred
• Strong demonstrated project management experience
• Experience with heavy machinery/equipment within a service-focused operation preferred
• Competitive, driven, and collaborative.

Computer Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Utilization of PowerBI, SmartSheets, PM Software, Teams, Zoom
• Highly preferred: Experience with VBA, SQL,PowerBI Design, data mining/scraping, Generative AI, Automation Technology (RPA)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid drivers li