Continuous Improvement Engineer I

Job Summary

• Support Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODCA) strategic Mission, Vision and the WE CARE values through the development and implementation of improvement initiatives aligned with ODCA’s business goals.
• Develop Continuous Improvement opportunities using Data Analysis.  Keeping in mind the goal to reach and maintain high manufacturing OEE/TEEP while optimizing operational processes. In all activities considering products and services must meet customer requirements.

Essential Functions

• Develop leadership skills to successfully implement operational and process improvements throughout the manufacturing organization. During development demonstrate the skill set on the floor.
• Own the key manufacturing data systems that are used to record operating information.  With this data provide analysis and presentation formats that improve plant performance.
• Develop Lean, TPM, or Six-Sigma style analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify opportunities for cost reduction, quality improvement, process streamlining, lead-time reduction, inventory reduction, and similar type improvement areas. During development demonstrate the skill set on the floor.
• Utilize existing data analysis skills to create and issue performance reports including analysis of the findings. Data sources can be from multiple databases and systems across multiple platforms. Examples include Aveva Historian, Sequel Servers, JDE data, and other file systems that manage large amounts of data.
• Deploy and update a standardized set of manufacturing metrics to track improvements within a Plant. These are often data-based reviews and opportunity identification.
• Based upon studies, findings, and improvement activities establish “standards” for manufacturing lines within the ERP system. This will include rate determination, yield determination, and the full development of manufacturing routings for use in the plant.
• Recommend improvement opportunity parameters, assemble and train teams (if a team-based improvement), and assist the teams through the improvement processes to ensure improvement objectives are met. Effectively utilize resources that are not directly under her/his control to achieve both individual and team goals.
• Perform and Teach Problem Solving for selected problems that are deemed to qualify for in-depth review using this tool.
• Be an active member of the Continuous Improvement Team participating with others on common projects. 
• Comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures and act on all unsafe events.
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
• Obtain and maintain Lean Bronze Certification within 3 years of employment
• Perform other such duties as may be required.

Qualifications:

• Experience with an ERP Manufacturing system
• Experience with data system used in manufacturing
• Experience with and an understanding of databases and how to leverage them for improvement
• Bachelor’s degree required, Industrial, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering field preferred
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in and/or training in a manufacturing environment.   
• Knowledge of Process Industry and experience in a process manufacturing environment preferred.
• Exposure to the use of Continuous Improvement concepts such as Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Lean, Total Productive Maintenance, Six Sigma and Similar Tools.     
• Mathematical Skills, Strong Computer Skills and Reasoning Ability required.
• Possess core values of Honesty and Integrity.