Continuous Improvement Manager - DTV
RealTruck, Inc., Grand Forks, ND, United States
Position Summary
The Manager of Continuous Improvement will oversee the continuous improvement/process engineering efforts for the functional area. This role will manage and develop CI initiatives to support best‑in‑class processes and strategies. The position works with leadership and support partners across business units to drive best practices, provide operational‑excellence methodology training and mentoring, and use data and change management to drive functional improvements within the organization.
Core Functions
Implement a robust 5S program.
Teach 5S methodology to site leadership teams and associates.
Provide visual standards to various brand locations to maintain awareness for associates and standard tools, supplies, and mechanisms to maintain 5S standards.
Implement 5S program inclusive of zone breakdowns, ownership, audits, and reporting mechanisms.
Implement GEMBA program.
Teach GEMBA to site leadership teams and associates.
Establish GEMBA boards, tools, and routines for the DC network.
Create feedback loop/communication mechanism for GEMBA findings, report‑outs, and associated action‑item tracking and completion.
Support standardization of labor planning/staffing routines, tools, and mechanisms that account for planned volume, UPMH goals, and staffing needs to drive operational cost control.
Teach site leadership teams how to utilize Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) approach to problem solving.
Develop and teach PDCA tools and communication plans.
Teach site leadership teams how to perform true root‑cause analysis to aid in problem solving.
Establish leadership standard work routines and tools, including but not limited to Leader Standard Work (LSW) checklists, standardized start‑up meeting templates, glass‑wall displays, handoff scorecards, and shift performance reporting.
Standardize the one best way for process execution at a process path/functional level, partnering with learning and development to document and train to these defined process details.
Participate in the development and implementation of new cost and process improvement initiatives.
Manage process optimization scope of work, inputs, assumptions, and validation of all optimization projects.
Liaise with various departments—including operations, learning and development, safety, quality, and customer support—to understand and integrate their needs and perspectives when planning projects.
Prepare detailed reports on project status, challenges, and outcomes.
Qualifications & Requirements Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
7+ years of experience leading large‑scale cross‑functional projects required, which may include 1‑3 years of supervisory experience.
3+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean and/or Six Sigma (black belt is a plus) required.
First‑hand experience in e‑commerce or distribution operations preferred.
Experience delivering robust training.
Proven track record of converting model inputs and outputs into tangible real‑world outcomes.
Required Licenses
None.
Skills, Abilities, And Knowledge
Process path subject matter expertise in a fast‑paced distribution center environment.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills used to solve difficult and complex problems.
Proficient in office automation tools, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Access), project‑management applications, and internet applications.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret performance‑based data.
Ability to work in both a team environment and independently, and comfortable handling some ambiguity.
Ability to meet tight deadlines while supporting various projects.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
Ability to communicate effectively and break down complex topics into clear problem definitions with data‑driven recommendations; able to communicate to a variety of stakeholders and decision‑makers at all levels of the organization, including ELT members deciding on large‑scale projects and investments.
Travel
Frequent travel required; ability to travel 50%.
Competencies
Adapts to changes, manages competing demands, changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
Synthesizes complex or diverse information, collects and researches data, uses intuition and experience to complement data, designs workflows and procedures.
Works within approved budget, develops and implements cost‑saving measures, contributes to profits and revenue, conserves organizational resources.
Displays willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound and accurate judgment, supports and explains reasoning for decisions, includes appropriate people in decision‑making process, makes timely decisions.
Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions, works well in group problem‑solving situations, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Approaches others in a tactful manner, reacts well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration regardless of status, accepts responsibility for own actions, follows through on commitments.
Looks for ways to improve and promote quality, demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to other views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, puts success of team above own interests, supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings.
Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, varies writing style to meet needs, presents numerical data effectively, able to read and interpret written information.
Supervisor Responsibilities
Manager+: plans, organizes, evaluates, and directs employees within the department function. Has direct reports.
Physical Requirements
Light work: exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or negligible force constantly to move objects. If arm/leg controls require greater exertion than sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated light work.
Physical Activities
Reaching, standing, walking, balancing, talking, hearing, and some lifting.
Visual Acuity
Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, expansive reading, and/or using measurement devices.
Working Conditions
Inside and outside environmental conditions, including heat, noise, vibration, and hazards from a distribution‑based environment.
Perks That Go The Extra Mile RealTruck offers benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage; company‑paid life insurance and disability insurance; a 401(k) with company match (eligible the first of the month after you start); wellbeing days; parental leave; educational reimbursement; referral bonuses; and exclusive employee discounts on RealTruck products. RealTruck is a premier manufacturer of accessories for truck, Jeep®, Bronco®, and off‑road enthusiasts worldwide. Globally headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, RealTruck’s associates operate from 35+ facilities across four continents. Its omni‑channel retail approach delivers a seamless consumer experience online at RealTruck.com and through its dealer network and OEM partnerships.
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Core Functions
Implement a robust 5S program.
Teach 5S methodology to site leadership teams and associates.
Provide visual standards to various brand locations to maintain awareness for associates and standard tools, supplies, and mechanisms to maintain 5S standards.
Implement 5S program inclusive of zone breakdowns, ownership, audits, and reporting mechanisms.
Implement GEMBA program.
Teach GEMBA to site leadership teams and associates.
Establish GEMBA boards, tools, and routines for the DC network.
Create feedback loop/communication mechanism for GEMBA findings, report‑outs, and associated action‑item tracking and completion.
Support standardization of labor planning/staffing routines, tools, and mechanisms that account for planned volume, UPMH goals, and staffing needs to drive operational cost control.
Teach site leadership teams how to utilize Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) approach to problem solving.
Develop and teach PDCA tools and communication plans.
Teach site leadership teams how to perform true root‑cause analysis to aid in problem solving.
Establish leadership standard work routines and tools, including but not limited to Leader Standard Work (LSW) checklists, standardized start‑up meeting templates, glass‑wall displays, handoff scorecards, and shift performance reporting.
Standardize the one best way for process execution at a process path/functional level, partnering with learning and development to document and train to these defined process details.
Participate in the development and implementation of new cost and process improvement initiatives.
Manage process optimization scope of work, inputs, assumptions, and validation of all optimization projects.
Liaise with various departments—including operations, learning and development, safety, quality, and customer support—to understand and integrate their needs and perspectives when planning projects.
Prepare detailed reports on project status, challenges, and outcomes.
Qualifications & Requirements Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
7+ years of experience leading large‑scale cross‑functional projects required, which may include 1‑3 years of supervisory experience.
3+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean and/or Six Sigma (black belt is a plus) required.
First‑hand experience in e‑commerce or distribution operations preferred.
Experience delivering robust training.
Proven track record of converting model inputs and outputs into tangible real‑world outcomes.
Required Licenses
None.
Skills, Abilities, And Knowledge
Process path subject matter expertise in a fast‑paced distribution center environment.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills used to solve difficult and complex problems.
Proficient in office automation tools, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Access), project‑management applications, and internet applications.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret performance‑based data.
Ability to work in both a team environment and independently, and comfortable handling some ambiguity.
Ability to meet tight deadlines while supporting various projects.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
Ability to communicate effectively and break down complex topics into clear problem definitions with data‑driven recommendations; able to communicate to a variety of stakeholders and decision‑makers at all levels of the organization, including ELT members deciding on large‑scale projects and investments.
Travel
Frequent travel required; ability to travel 50%.
Competencies
Adapts to changes, manages competing demands, changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
Synthesizes complex or diverse information, collects and researches data, uses intuition and experience to complement data, designs workflows and procedures.
Works within approved budget, develops and implements cost‑saving measures, contributes to profits and revenue, conserves organizational resources.
Displays willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound and accurate judgment, supports and explains reasoning for decisions, includes appropriate people in decision‑making process, makes timely decisions.
Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions, works well in group problem‑solving situations, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Approaches others in a tactful manner, reacts well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration regardless of status, accepts responsibility for own actions, follows through on commitments.
Looks for ways to improve and promote quality, demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to other views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, puts success of team above own interests, supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings.
Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, varies writing style to meet needs, presents numerical data effectively, able to read and interpret written information.
Supervisor Responsibilities
Manager+: plans, organizes, evaluates, and directs employees within the department function. Has direct reports.
Physical Requirements
Light work: exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or negligible force constantly to move objects. If arm/leg controls require greater exertion than sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated light work.
Physical Activities
Reaching, standing, walking, balancing, talking, hearing, and some lifting.
Visual Acuity
Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, expansive reading, and/or using measurement devices.
Working Conditions
Inside and outside environmental conditions, including heat, noise, vibration, and hazards from a distribution‑based environment.
Perks That Go The Extra Mile RealTruck offers benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage; company‑paid life insurance and disability insurance; a 401(k) with company match (eligible the first of the month after you start); wellbeing days; parental leave; educational reimbursement; referral bonuses; and exclusive employee discounts on RealTruck products. RealTruck is a premier manufacturer of accessories for truck, Jeep®, Bronco®, and off‑road enthusiasts worldwide. Globally headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, RealTruck’s associates operate from 35+ facilities across four continents. Its omni‑channel retail approach delivers a seamless consumer experience online at RealTruck.com and through its dealer network and OEM partnerships.
#J-18808-Ljbffr