Continuous Improvement (CI) and Capabilities Manager

Job Description

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU.

In this role, you will:

Incumbent reports to the site mill manager. He/She has broad CI and capability development responsibilities for technically complex processes, plant equipment, facilities and personnel. Along with providing strategic leadership to the team members that report to them, he/she coaches/uses problem solving methods and tools to identify gaps in processes, capability, and culture, identifying opportunities for CI and seeks innovative ways to close those gaps.

About Us

Huggies®. Kleenex®. Cottonelle®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®. Kimberly-Clark Professional®. You already know our legendary brands—and so does the rest of the world. In fact, millions of people use Kimberly-Clark products every day. We know these amazing Kimberly-Clark products wouldn’t exist without talented professionals, like you.

At Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of the best team committed to driving innovation, growth and impact. We’re founded on more than 150 years of market leadership, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to perform – so there’s your open door of opportunity. It’s all here for you at Kimberly-Clark.

Summary of position:

Provides strategic leadership for Continuous Improvement (CI) and capabilities processes and teams at the manufacturing site. This position is responsible to provide leadership to embed a CI and change management mindset. They will also develop capability and a learning culture through Training 4 Excellence (T4E) standards and processes and drive cost savings and process improvements using various tools and techniques such as Operational Excellence (OPEX) and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Fuel to Grow (F2G), while fostering a strong, people first culture for the site. This position plays a critical role in developing and cascading Regional Improvement strategy, defining metrics, and leveraging influential skills to sponsor cost savings initiatives and efficiencies. Leadership responsibilities include: Change management, Digital Transformation, Cost savings, and Training teams.

Key Customers:

Internal to Mill: Mill Management, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering Teams and other associated mill functional teams (Quality, Logistics, Finance, etc.)

External to Mill: North America and Enterprise Supply Chain Teams

Responsibilities:

• Implement loss control throughout the organization by visibly demonstrating that safety is embraced as a value.
• Support and Champion safety in your manufacturing site and team by driving educational and behavioral processes through the application of OPEX, LSS and T4E tools.
• Lead your team to complete safety objectives and ensure a safe working environment.
• Champion and support Continuous Improvement and T4E programs and processes as the way to deliver quality and process capability improvements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Manage yourself in accordance with the Ways of Working.
• Manage, develop, and support direct reports (T4E Leader, Digital Manufacturing Leader) to effectuate changes and developments throughout the site and within each function.
• Prepare the Change: Build strong partnerships, consult with leadership, demonstrate empathy, and collaborate on success criteria and KPI progress.
• Manage the Change: Develop change plan roadmaps, communication, and capability building plans. Identify and escalate issues, solicit feedback, and support project teams with gap analysis and business process discussions.
• Lead Change Enablement: Manage change networks, ensure participant engagement, and develop and deliver relevant updates.
• Reinforce the Change: Develop long-term strategies, address resistance, and continuously monitor and adjust the change process.
• Provide leadership support to your T4E leader in their efforts to develop, facilitate and manage the site’s training strategies aligned to the regional strategy, including providing leadership to the training specialists.
• Ensure respective team members are active participants in regional networks in the areas they support, sharing learnings and adopting and applying one best way standards and process.
• Ensure collaboration between T4E and Digital Manufacturing to drive training and usage throughout the site.
• Provide Strategic leadership for site’s CI programs and efforts.
• Reinforce the iOPEX processes and tools to ensure sustainability of the iOPEX program.
• Ensure standardization through CI and Culture of Accountability (CoA) practices
• Provide continuous feedback to leadership team, consistent with OPEX mindsets, the 6 K-C Behaviors and CoA principles.
• Facilitate, promote, and support Lean cultural development Identify and drive transformation that is inclusive of front-line and support organizations
• Provide education on Lean tools, processes and thinking at your site
• Ensure consistent application of regional framework standards for management systems and processes.
• Drives the strategic planning processes for the site including development, communication, and follow-up of all strategic activity for the site.
• Leverage Digital Manufacturing and Change Management to embed these tools and processes into the workforce culture.

Qualifications:

• Position requires knowledge and experience typically associated with a bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of manufacturing related experience.
• 5 plus years’ experience in a high-speed industrial manufacturing environment/plant experience.
• The incumbent would typically have significant experience in Engineering, Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Maintenance and be very familiar with the application of Lean, CI, OPEX, LSS, adult learning tools and theory.
• The incumbent would typically have Six Sigma Black Belt Certification or be progressing towards a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
• Possesses strong understanding of the broader business and organization, and can relate and connect the CI and Capabilities organization to it
• Incumbent would possess demonstrated ability to organize and lead a multi-functional team and foster a proactive team environment.
• Experience with developing and cascading large-scale strategy, demonstrated problem-solving mindset, strong project management skills, and proficiency with MS Suite are desired
• Experience in multiple mills, product systems and staff experience, leadership of exempt workforce is highly desired
• Experience in change management in addition to coaching and mentoring at all levels to drive collaboration across teams and functions is highly desired. Change management certification or designation strongly desired (Prosci preferred).

Total Benefits

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com.

Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions. Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.

Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.

Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

To Be Considered

Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.

In the meantime, please check out the careers website.

And finally, the fine print….

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range: 140, 320 – 173, 360 USD

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only.

Primary Location

New Milford Mill

Additional Locations

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time