Continuous Improvement Manager

It's not just about your career or job title... It's about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it's for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you're in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.

Who will you be working with?

Site Value Stream Coaches are based inside each designated Transformation site. The Freight Equipment Lean Team Coaches are also members of a broader team that delivers value to the organization through close collaboration, sharing best practices and experiences, and continuous learning. A network of Lean colleagues will support you as you guide your site through the improvement process.

How will you make a difference?

The Value Stream (VS) Coach will primarily report to the lean team while maintaining a dotted-line reporting relationship with the site leadership. This dedicated coach plays a crucial role in spearheading the lean transformation initiative, aiming not only to implement practical changes but also to establish lasting standards that ensure the sustainability of these process improvements.

In this capacity, the VS Coach will actively collaborate with site leadership to cultivate a deep understanding of lean principles and practices. This involves fostering a lean mindset permeating the entire value stream, empowering every team member to embrace and contribute to continuous improvement efforts. Through training, mentorship, and strategic guidance, the coach will help build robust lean capabilities, ultimately driving successful transformation and organizational excellence.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college

• Minimum of five additional years of experience leading teams in a lean transformation(s) where both lean leadership and change management up, across, and down through the organization was demonstrated. Previous Plant Manager experience preferred.

• Deep faith in lean and its principles with a proven track record leading in a TPS type transformation and business operating system transformation.... much beyond a lean-six sigma tool type continuous improvement initiative. A lean zealot.

• Strong oral and written communication skills demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills.

• Clear thinker, able to analyze and resolve complex problems.

What will your typical day look like?

• Coach and develop the full-time Lean team to grow their lean knowledge and execution capabilities. Mentor them to be true agents of change, improving their change management capabilities and ensuring rigor in conducting the kaizen events.

• Create a lean vision and continuous improvement strategy to advance the customer experience through improved cycle time and on-time delivery. Ensure all other customer-critical quality areas are at the forefront of the strategy.

• Change agent responsible for delivering performance excellence by executing lean initiatives and providing thoughtful coaching on functional standard work and problem-solving.

• Be comfortable coaching leaders in lean methodology and principles, Hoshin Kanri (Policy Deployment), problem-solving, etc. Effective communication is critical.

• Ensure compliance with standard processes and tools, support the value stream team in developing and following their standard work (leaders and associates), and yield a culture of system, process, and behavior discipline to get results.

• Coach all plant operations through lean process and behavior changes, developing a highly effective Daily Management process focused on tools such as basic problem solving, kaizen, A3 thinking, value stream mapping, Kanban, visual management, pull, flow creation, and adherence to standard work.

• Implement and help improve the Business Operating System known as the Wabtec Management System

• Ability to teach and develop team on quick improvement cycles; these quick developmental opportunities will build team confidence, allowing us to increase our velocity of change drastically.

Wabtec will only employ those legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

Relocation may be available for an eligible candidate.

Who are we?

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems.

Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers' potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 27K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more! ~~~

Our Commitment to Embrace Diversity:

Wabtec is a global company that invests not just in our products, but also our people by embracing diversity and inclusion. We care about our relationships with our employees and take pride in celebrating the variety of experiences, expertise, and backgrounds that bring us together. At Wabtec, we aspire to create a place where we all belong and where diversity is welcomed and appreciated.

To fulfill that commitment, we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to employ the world's brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We have created a space where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute based on their individual experiences and perspectives and recognize that these differences and diverse perspectives make us better.

We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences, and styles... People like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.