JOB SUMMARY:
This position manages and drives the company's Supplier Continuous Improvement program. Leveraging the company's existing APQP and Lean Production System, this role is responsible to identify and implement Continuous Improvement projects with key suppliers that improve quality and lower the company's total landed costs for purchased goods and services.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develops and implements a comprehensive company-wide continuous improvement program with the supply base, leveraging key elements of the existing Lean Production System.
• Leads Supplier Kaizen events to develop and implement supplier cost reduction projects.
• Acts as
project manager for assigned projects/suppliers, overseeing end to end NPD cycle, using existing LZB project management tools, including management of APQP process for new supplied product and supplier changes.
• Develops and maintains the full business case for cost reduction projects, including all necessary information to accurately describe the extent and cost of the proposed changes.
• Ensures that all elements of the Supplier CI program are in alignment with Divisional and Corporate strategies.
• Supports the promotion and execution of value engineering workshops and brainstorming sessions with key stakeholders to develop a continual stream of Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) / cost reduction ideas.
• Drive the adoption of key Lean elements with the supply base, such as 5S, Visual management, Cellular Manufacturing, Kan-ban pull systems, total productive maintenance (TPM), Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED)/quick changeover, and Standard Work.