Mars Incorporated Hiring for Continuous Improvement Specialist – Topeka, Kansas at Topeka, KS Full Time

Job Purpose:
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist is responsible for leading loss elimination within a TPM team and is critical to supporting all TPM pillars, specifically AM. The CI Specialist is expected to develop the operating teams’ technical understanding and mastery of process control, area operation and to support all Daily Management Systems (DMS) owners. CI Specialists are an integral part of the review and response meetings and owns integrity of data systems and leads process definition to identify Centerline targets and document standards. They also develop control strategies to enable operators to respond to out of control situations, analyze line data to identify and prioritize loss elimination opportunities, lead root cause problem solving efforts on key chronic losses for their area of responsibility, and coach teams on Centerline DMS execution and problem solving skills. CI Specialists must effectively facilitate team meetings; communicate issues within an area and across shifts, and follow-up on actions. CI Specialists should be considered subject matter experts on the functional – technical aspects of their equipment and AM Pillar DMS’s.

What we are looking for:
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Supply, Business, or technical field of study OR Associates Degree in Engineering, Supply, Business, or technical field of study with at least 2 years’ experience in a TPM manufacturing environment OR 4 years’ experience in manufacturing at Mars with MSE pillar participation or AM/Autonomous Work Team experience
• Proficient in MS Office
• Demonstrated excellent mechanical/technical aptitude
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Clear ability to relate to and motivate people

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Trainer: Demonstrated capability to effectively train associates
• Provides clear effective coaching and feedback: process & performance

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively participates in daily review and response meetings. Provides performance data for selected machines and communicates action plans and completed work effectively.
• Understand TPM pillars, specific focus on AM and the ability to coach in these areas.
• Perform AM DMS Health Checks. Take action on identified Line Health Check gaps.
• Facilitates and owns the Line Loss Analysis. Gather, interpret and report data on problem issues. Maintain trend analysis.
• Expert for the AM DMS’s (Centerline – CL, Clean Inspect Lubricate – CIL, Abnormality Handling – AH, and 5S) and Changeover Daily Management Systems for the line organization.
• Leads process to identify Centerline targets and document standards.
• Develops control strategies and decision rules to enable operators to respond to out of control situations and improve line efficiencies.
• Leads root cause problem solving efforts on losses for the line/department. Uses appropriate problem solving tools (basic and advanced) as needed.
• Collaborates with line associates and technical group on improvement recommendations.
• Provides regular, ongoing communication with line associates and line managers on status of identified losses and improvement activities.
• Works with Production Leader and team to ensure that all Line and Departmental metrics are achieved.
• Drive safety, quality and efficiency measures through proactive problem solving resolution, follow-up and follow through.
• Train and develop associates, building team capability in areas of expertise.
• Leads and launches TPM/Process improvement teams

What can you expect from Mars?
The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package.
To be respected and valued.
The Five Principles at the center of every decision we make.
The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come.