Continuous Improvement/LEAN Leader

Continuous Improvement/LEAN Leader Job Description Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, Depend®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional®.  At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.  This individual will drive operational transformation across NA Manufacturing sites through execution of tactical and strategic Continuous Improvement projects.  They will utilize Six Sigma problem solving methods and LEAN tools to identify gaps, develop improvement plans, and execute solutions that deliver significant impact to MFG processes, organizational capability, and high-performance culture. This position will strive to become a subject matter expert on all aspects of LEAN Manufacturing including Operational Excellence (OPEX), Reliability, and Lean Six Sigma, and will actively engage within one or more pillars within the KC Enterprise Operating System, Power Up.  This position is accountable to develop and deploy Enterprise standards within Power Up pillars across NA MFG sites.  This individual will also play a critical role in the identification, facilitation and execution of broad NA improvement strategies and will be asked to lead complex problem solves and strategic initiatives.  They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, maintenance, Value Stream, logistics, quality, finance, digital and Enterprise Supply Chain to drive plant performance.  Additionally, they will provide mentorship to peers both within the team and across our NA and global MFG sites.  It starts with YOU.

In one of our manufacturing roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. Job responsibilities include: Lead execution of Lean Six Sigma projects within NA MFG sites that deliver significant value (>$1MM annual impact) and drive overall operational transformation including aspirational targets. Possess or working towards LSS Black Belt certification with expectation to maintain an active LSS project ongoing.  Actively engage and participate within one or more Enterprise Power Up pillars including development of standards, collaboration, and NA representation within the team. Collaborate with plant CI managers to deploy Enterprise Power Up standards within NA MFG sites including change management, training, implementation, coaching and assessments. Collaborate with plant CI managers to deploy operational excellence and LEAN fundamentals at NA MFG sites, ensuring OEE transformation, safety, quality standards, and efficiency goals are met. Subject matter expert on all aspects of LEAN manufacturing with accountability to build capability across the entire NA manufacturing organization. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to mill operations, including development of visual management tools, tiered scorecards, and Leader Standard Work. Collaborate with mill operations and CI managers to improve yield, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance overall productivity utilizing Six Sigma techniques and LEAN thinking. Collaborate with the digital capabilities team to identify and drive technology improvement solutions that enable operation efficiency and improved asset performance. Ensure people and process capability is being built to sustain the long-term success of the Enterprise Operating System, Power Up. Facilitate workshops to engage team members in activities supporting the deployment of the Enterprise Operating System, Power Up. Provide mentorship to business unit leaders to assist in the implementation of the Enterprise Operating System, Power Up. Provide mentorship to Lean Six Sigma candidates throughout their certification process. Provide education on Lean tools, processes and thinking to all levels of the organization, and provide support to teams as they provide the same education to their