Lean Leader

John Crane, a business of Smiths Group, is a global leader in mission-critical flow control solutions for energy and process industries that enable efficient and sustainable operations. Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, bearings, filtration systems, and predictive digital monitoring technologies.

We have a global network of more than 200 sites in over 50 countries and employ more than 6,000 people worldwide. We partner with our customers to help them keep their operations safe, reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and meet the latest environmental standards.

John Crane is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient, productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defence, space & aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs approximately 16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.

Job Description

Develops and executes the SE Lean Management System Deployment within Division Site or function, working with the Site Leader or Functional leader. Lean methodology is focused on building a disciplined operational review and execution system at value stream and site level. This is a key role in leading and embedding cultural change in the operational and business transformation environment. The role holder will also lead projects and coach others in project delivery. This position requires excellent organizational, prioritization and facilitation skills, the ability to work independently and partner with business leaders and key stakeholders in identifying and executing continuous improvement in all operational and functional areas.

• Develops LEAN strategy for their site, or value stream, working with the site leader. Plans and drives the implementation of the Lean Management System.
• Build LEAN capabilities within Smiths in alignment with SE strategy. Collaborate with Division Lean colleagues to train practitioners, support cross-functional Kaizens and act as Lean SME for Lean development programs.
• Train operational and functional teams in Lean principles, methodology, and tools.
• Facilitates the development and deployment of a disciplined Daily Management System incorporating Leader Standard Work, Visual Management and Daily Accountability
• Partner with all functions to develop cross-functional end-to-end value stream maps to capture current state, define future state with a roadmap of actions to improve customer performance and achieve business objectives.
• Lead and support project ideation and hopper building for Lean and Six Sigma projects.
• Coach projects focused on improvements in customer performance, increased throughput and speed, reduced cycle times/lead times and productivity improvement including Green belt Projects
• Coach site leadership team & employees through regular Gemba walks to drive continuous improvement
• Utilize best practices and data to influence leaders and teams to achieve positive business results.
• Identifies, promotes, and disseminates out-of-the-box Lean thinking and best practices, supports and coaches during SE strategy workshops and project implementations.
• Plays a role in facilitating the effectiveness of the enterprise-wide SE deployment including: active participation in the global Community of Practice, sharing of best practices, supporting the success of other belts and other duties to enable the success of SE at Smiths.
• Functions as a catalyst for a culture of excellence including... Customer focus, data-driven decision-making, ownership of processes and operational metrics, Lean Six Sigma as Smiths' Way of Working, and Servant Leadership to create an inclusive continuous improvement environment.

Qualifications

Preferred Education, Qualification and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience of deploying LEAN leadership across multiple functions/ sites or an entire business
• Experience of leading large-scale strategic initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Skills and Experience:

• Highly seasoned and experienced LEAN leader a practitioner with a proven track record of end-to-end value stream management (e.g., operations, administration, customer-facing).
• Experience of deploying Lean Management Systems cross multiple functions within a medium or large company.
• Experience leading and creating high-performing teams and championing change.
• Leadership – ability to formulate and communicate clear vision and sense of direction and mobilize people.
• Communication – ability to effectively influence and articulate using different channels (verbal and written). Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Facilitating – ability to organize and facilitate multidisciplinary teams through structured workshops (strategic session, Kaizens, problem solving sessions).
• Change management – ability to communicate a need for change, create all necessary conditions for successful change and overcome different forms of resistance.
• Coaching – ability to coach people to develop their skills and abilities to achieve agreed upon objectives.
• Training – ability to identify and formulate training needs and assure training execution and follow up.
• Problem solving – ability to coach and support leaders and teams in using data to drive problem solving
• Willing to travel up to 15% of the time for business purposes.

Additional information

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career's website (Careers - Smiths Group plc