Systems Continuous Improvement/Operational Excellence Engineer

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow.  Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Celgard where we develop and manufacture membrane battery separators that are critical components used in lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).

Company:

Celgard, LLC

Job Description:

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operational Excellence Leader with an engineering background to spearhead our systems continuous improvement efforts in manufacturing. This role will be located at the Concord Plant and will support both Concord and Charlotte Plants. This role is pivotal in driving a culture of excellence, leveraging lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, product quality, and overall performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the operational excellence strategy, aligning with organizational goals to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• System Development and Implementation: Serve as a liaison between manufacturing and Asahi Kasei IT to develop, standardize, maintain, and drive system implementation. Serve as gate keeper for Management Operating System (MOS) and other operation systems.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead cross-functional teams in identifying, prioritizing, and implementing process improvement initiatives using lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Project Management: Utilize technical knowledge and Management Operating System (MOS) skills to perform end-to-end project management focusing on Lean & Six Sigma projects.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring measurable results.
• Lean Manufacturing Implementation: Champion the application of lean tools, including 5S, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, and Kanban, to optimize production processes and reduce cycle times.
• Six Sigma Methodology: Apply Six Sigma techniques to reduce process variation, improve quality, and drive cost-saving initiatives.
• Performance Metrics: Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of improvement initiatives and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Change Management: Drive adoption of operational excellence initiatives through effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and change management strategies.
• Collaboration: Work closely with production, quality, engineering, and supply chain teams to integrate improvements across all functions.

Education Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required. (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related field).
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements in manufacturing industries preferred.

Knowledge & Experience: 

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing with a strong focus on lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale continuous improvement initiatives and delivering measurable results.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt required; Master Black Belt preferred).
• In-depth knowledge of lean tools (e.g., Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kanban) and Six Sigma techniques (e.g., DMAIC, statistical process control).
• Must have previous experience facilitating Kaizen events.
• Process Instruction and report writing ability are required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in data analysis and root cause analysis.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage teams at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in using ERP systems, data analysis tools, and project management software.

Key Attributes:

• Must possess good interpersonal skills – to be a team player and facilitator.
• Must possess bias for action and have process driven logical thinking and planning skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences across all levels of the organization is required.
• Must be self-motivated and possess the ability to in