Continuous Improvement Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is tasked with the facilitation and deployment of the Vallourec Management System, with a primary focus on lean management. The position is based out of our Sheldon Rd. facility. He/she role will assist department leaders in the identification, prioritization, and implementation of projects that improve key business indicators. He/she will monitor, facilitate, lead, and train all team members in our Lean Management system, including but not limited to methods such as 5S, TPM, standardization, workflow analysis, value stream mapping, and Six Sigma. The Continuous Improvement Engineer will track overall improvement progress and report as necessary to executive management. The Continuous Improvement Engineer will also be required to support other sites and other divisions of Vallourec Corporation as needed, which may result in up to 15% travel. This position reports to the Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and/or facilitate all continuous improvement efforts associated with Safety, Quality, Operational Excellence and Cost.
• Work with Houston department managers to identify, prioritize and execute on projects that improve their key performance indicators.
• Lead the development and implementation of all levels of the hourly Skill Based Development program as it relates to Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Coordinate the content of all Lean training materials and lead the implementation of a structured target training program for improvement teams.
• Support cross-site and cross-functional efforts to improve shared business processes – both transactional and operational
• Help units to identify key performance indicators and develop tools to improve them (flow complexity, purchasing methods, and value analysis of process)
• Hold teammates accountable for the good deliverance and sustainability of improvement results. Assure the appropriate performance indicators are in place and that teams have been provided with adequate knowledge to achieve and maintain their improvements.
• Utilize process experts, department leaders and steering committees as needed to generate improvement ideas and accomplish key objectives.
• Lead the effort to streamline processes across all Vallourec sites. Coordinate and report status of improvement efforts and results to allow for easy reporting to executive leadership.
• Lead team members to deploy the appropriate Safety / Quality / Delivery / Cost / People metrics and management routines at all levels of the organization.
• Perform Six Sigma projects and act as expert/coach for other members seeking Six Sigma certification.
• Assist leadership in the planning, development, coordination, support, and execution of strategic planning process, and take ownership of high impact (immediate and long term) improvement projects.
• Lead benchmarking and the exchange of knowledge and best practices in relation to lean and Six Sigma methodologies with Vallourec Group steering committees and other entities.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Mathematical skills – basic knowledge and application of statistics and algebra
• Reasoning ability – ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to facilitate a team of cross-functional expertise.
• Ability to influence employees at any level of an organization.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and ability to summarize efforts in clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrate high energy, trustworthiness, and be goal oriented.
• Knowledge of Change Management or Change Acceleration Processes

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• BS in Engineering
• Mechanical, Industrial, and Metallurgical engineering degrees are preferred.
• Six Sigma training/certification at Green Belt or higher is also preferred. Position will require black belt certification within 18 months of starting position.
• Past training or experiences in lean manufacturing, materials management, six sigma, safety and environment are desired.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES AND CAPABILITIES

• Operations leadership or process engineering experience in Industrial sector
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills
• Open-mindedness, adaptability, autonomy, desire to drive change.
• Understanding of business strategy and concepts
• Analytical approach to problem solving.
• Ability to influence at all levels of an organization.
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Accountability
• Reliability/dependability
• Initiative
• Safety awareness
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback.
• Pride in performance
• Continuous Improvement/Quality
• High attention to detail