Operational Excellence Analyst Multi-site

With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in more than 60 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2 billion in revenues in fiscal 2022. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Operational Excellence Analyst Multi-site

Location - Asheboro, NC but will have multiple site responsibility. Travel expected approximately one week per month

Job Summary
The Plant Operational Excellence Analyst is responsible for implementing continuous improvement initiatives, analyzing existing processes, identifying areas for improvement, and leading kaizen activities to optimize operations and increase efficiency. They will collaborate with plant management to drive alignment, gain support, train personnel and implement improvement initiatives.   

Key Job Responsibilities

Lean COMPETENCES

• Implement Lean methodologies: The Site OpEx Analyst applies Lean principles, tools, and techniques such as 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, and Muda hunting to identify and eliminate waste in processes. They work with cross-functional teams to implement Lean projects and initiatives that improve productivity, quality, and overall performance.
• Develop the Lean competences of the operation through training & coaching.

Lean STRATEGIES

• Help to define the Lean strategy of the operation in accordance with Plant / Site priorities and ensure deployment of Kennametal Operation/Production System within the operation area.

Lean GENBA ACTIVITIES

• Help Plant / Production Manager to manage continuous improvement and to continuously detect abnormalities vs Lean standards and react.
• Process analysis and optimization: by analyzing existing processes at the site to identify areas of improvement. Able to conduct time studies, collect data, and use Lean tools to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. He/she works with site personnel to streamline workflows, reduce cycle times, and enhance process efficiency.
• Training and coaching: The Site OpEx Analyst provides training and coaching to site personnel on Lean principles and methodologies. He/she educates employees on Lean concepts, tools, and techniques to foster a culture of continuous improvement. He/she may conduct workshops, training sessions, and provide hands-on support to ensure employees understand and apply Lean principles effectively.
• Kaizen workshop management: The OpEx analyst leads and manages Lean projects at the site. He/she collaborates with cross-functional teams to define project goals, develop project plans, allocate resources, and ensure timely implementation. He/she monitors project progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and communicate results to site management.

Lean RESULTS

• Data analysis and reporting: The Site Opex analyst collects and analyzes data related to site performance, process metrics, and key performance indicators. To prepare reports, charts, and visualizations to communicate performance trends and improvement opportunities. Providing regular updates to site management and share insights to drive decision-making.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement at the site and engage site personnel at all levels, encouraging them to contribute ideas, provide feedback, and participate in improvement initiatives. He/she facilitates improvement events, foster a mindset of innovation, and champion Lean practices within the site.
• Deploy lean standards & best practices within the operation and regional/global OpEX team.
• Highlight the main responsibilities:

Lean COMPETENCES

• Develop his/her own competences and skills in tools and methodologies useful for the operation area.
• Train operation team members to lean tools, standards & methodologies & ensure that lean standards are known and applied properly.
• Participant regional/global kaizen week, share good practice kaizen workshop.
• Participant lean tool improvement working group, contribute the lean standard/tool improvement.

Lean STRATEGIES

• Ensure that lean rules are considered in new projects at an appropriate phase.
• Help the production Manager to keep a continuous improvement mindset, behavior & policy, whatever the operational situation.
• Organize annual VSM going through the production and propose the yearly workshops list.
• Help to define the lean strategy of the production and prepare the operation budget concerning lean targets & budget.
• Manage the deployment of KPS within the production: manage production self-assessment with production team members and improvement action plan.
• Deploy lean standards & best practices within the production team.

Lean GENBA ACTIVITIES

• Coach operation team members on application of lean tools and methodologies through On Job Training.
• Support workshop pilots, lead workshops and implement improvement proposals.
• Permanently help plant/production Manager to detect and react to non-conformances against lean standards.
• Manage the maintenance of lean tools through appropriate audits (like KPS, 5S, Kanban audits, leader standard work) : audit organization, performance & follow up.
• Prepare & organize the weekly production lean committee (incl. agenda proposal) lead by the Production Manager, review kaizen workshop progress on genba and write the minute.
• Check regularly in-depth the proper deployment of lean in the operation area.
• Support kaizen workshop pilots on methodology and results achievement.
• Lead himself/herself permanently workshops and implement improvement proposals.
• Permanently promote the lean principles.

Lean RESULTS

• Ensure a lean reporting, KOS metrics correct.
• Quarterly lean mission report, share with site management team kaizen workshop status and saving achievements. (last quarter completed workshop, next quarter planned workshop, year to day saving summary, etc.)

Requirements

• At least 1 year Production or logistic supervisor, process engineering related experience.  6Sigma greenbelt is plus. 
• Knowledge and practice experience of the following tools:
  • Strong communication, teaching and coaching skills.
  • 5S & Zoning.
  • Standard work and cycle time measurement.
  • Muda Hunting
  • SMED
  • TPM
     

 Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. As such, it is the policy of Kennametal Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, or other protected status, group, or characteristic under federal, state, and/or local law or regulation. It is Kennametal Inc.'s policy to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.