Director, Continuous Improvement
The Continuous Improvement Director is responsible for leading and driving Avient’s continuous improvement strategic initiatives. This role will partner with global business leaders to select and set priorities on Lean Six Sigma projects, driving operational efficiencies or enabling strategic initiatives within the business. The Continuous Improvement Director will also have global responsibility for the oversight and management of the Lean Six Sigma corporate team, global portfolio of projects, deliver results, and provide organizational training to foster a culture of continuous improvement. This role will also collaborate closely with Manufacturing Operations in support of helping to achieve Avient Production Excellence (APEX) goals, through scoping projects and resources to drive improvement.
Essential Functions
· Lead, manage, design and implement Avient’s global Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Project Management strategy. Program management to include: project leader resources (Black Belt, Master Black Belt, Green Belt, Kaizen Leader, PMP), talent development, global training and development of LSS and PMP programs, program goals and objectives, lean guiding principles and strategic business initiatives.
· Lead and directly manage the corporate Continuous Improvement organization, inclusive of the Operational Excellence Leadership Development Program and US/CAN Black Belts.
· Collaboration and execution of business-wide project priorities that are selected through a project prioritization process. Priorities should deliver financial benefit for the business through achieving operational efficiencies, strategic initiatives or APEX goals.
· Set and track measurable goals and KPIs for each region, including but not limited to, financial targets, training census, project leader certification and lean initiatives.
· Provide feedback and counsel to business units and corporate functions on project priorities and focus areas being aligned with those of the business targets and goals.
· Partner with business-wide leaders to identify talent for the various LSS training programs.
· Identify and work with plant management on Enhanced Lean program to help drive cultural change, lean thinking, and 6S within Avient manufacturing operations.
· Participate as a member of the Global Manufacturing Council and APEX Steering Committee.
· Lead quarterly meetings with business-wide leaders to review projects in flight, progress towards goals and KPIs, talent development and alignment of projects and resources to achieve business strategic goals.
· Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or Master’s degree is preferred
· Proved experience (7+ years) in continuous improvement, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and teams
· Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is required.
Additional Qualifications
Competencies
· Each position at Avient focuses on eight Core Competencies as a Leader of Self. Additionally, management positions focus on Leadership Competencies as a Leader of Others and/or a Leader of the Business. These competencies are designed to drive behavior that will ultimately help our associates excel at their current roles, while supporting individual and career development.
Physical Demands
The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical and environmental demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
· Requires remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time, and frequent communication.
· Must be able to traverse and operate computer and other office equipment.
· Typical work is in an office environment where the noise level is low to moderate.
Environmental, Health, Safety, & Security (EHS&S) Requirements
· Avient integrates EHS&S into all aspects of our operations. Each position at Avient is responsible for complying with all applicable EHS&S requirements. Additionally, employees and management are responsible for reporting all EHS&S incidents immediately to ensure we keep EHS&S a priority within the organization.
Security includes physical security and cyber security.
Who We Are
Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:
· Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports
· Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy
· Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint
· Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility
Avient employs approximately 10,000 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care®, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.avient.com.
Why Avient
Avient Corporation is a world-class sustainable organization built on innovation, collaboration, and employee development. We are committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where our diverse associates can grow and succeed, as well positively impacting our planet and the communities we serve. Our Great Place to Work culture, values, and benefits make Avient an employer of choice for top talent.
We believe diversity of ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Avient Corporation is a drug free workplace. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.