Company Overview
When you feel connected to your work, you feel more engaged. At Haworth, you can pursue a career that offers you ample opportunity to build your portfolio and expand your skillset in an exciting and inclusive environment. Join a company that values innovation, inspiration, and you!
HAWORTH is a global leader in office furniture and architectural interiors. As a valued member of our team, you can make your mark on the world and reach your full potential within a culture of connectivity.
Why Haworth? Find out more here!
Here at Haworth, our members enjoy benefits from their first day of employment including:
- 20 Day Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy a whole month of relaxation, adventure, or whatever your heart desires! Plus, you can buy up to 5 extra days for even more fun!
- Health Benefits: Stay healthy and happy with Priority Health Medical options, Delta Dental, and Vision Insurance. Your well-being is our priority.
- 401k Benefit: Secure your future! Contribute 6% of your annual salary, and Haworth will match up to 7%. That’s a win-win for your retirement!
- Annual Bonus Programs: Get rewarded for your hard work with exciting annual bonuses. Your efforts truly pay off.
- Insurance Coverage: Rest easy with company-provided Short-Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. We’ve got you covered.
- On-Site Gym: Stay fit and energized at your convenience.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Invest in your future with our Tuition Reimbursement program. Learning never stops!
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Make a difference with 8 hours of paid Volunteer Time Off. Give back to the community and feel great doing it!
- Optional Pet Insurance: Keep your furry friends healthy and happy with our optional Pet Insurance. Because pets are family too.
- Zero Waste to Landfill: Be proud to work for a company committed to sustainability. We’re making the world a better place!
Job Summary
We are currently looking for a Continuous Improvement Champion on-site to oversee 2 Big Rapids, MI plants.
As a Continuous Improvement Champion, You Will
Identify and implement initiatives using principles and continuous improvement process of the Haworth Management System (equivalent to Toyota Production System). Manage project and assure programs are of high quality. Process work will be required across every segment of value stream. Teach and facilitate lean transformation in both the office and manufacturing environments. Coordinate meetings and Kaizen events for improvements and be involved as both a leader and facilitator, with the overall goal to drive reduction of waste from both process and quality standpoints. Support the Steel and Wood value stream in designing the future, applying, and coaching Mixed Model Value Stream design principles in a high growth-potential area.
Job Responsibilities
- Coordinates multiple continuous improvement projects concurrently in cooperation with internal customers. Develops short- and long-range plans with internal customers to transform value stream and remove waste.
- Implements Haworth Management System principles to drive continuous improvement across every functional area.
- As plant team member with Plant Operations and Production, troubleshoots Lean Manufacturing operational issues on daily basis. Spend significant time with teams to facilitate implementation of HMS, identify production flow, identify sequence of events, and define constraints or continuous improvement opportunities.
- Delivers foundational skills training to team members and actively coaches members to integrate skills into HMS process to ensure success of programs.
- Evaluates effectiveness of training and assures appropriate revisions are made, ensuring processes support corporate policy in areas of health, safety, and environmental assurance.
- Analyzes program progress, utilizing problem solving, surveys, and assessments to understand areas for continuous improvement of HMS Programs.
- Contacts and travels to manufacturing locations, universities, and seminars to obtain information relative to HMS processes, implementation techniques, and process assessment, to continuously improve state-of-the-art knowledge of techniques. Shares information with other members, via training and/or day-to-day contact
- Reports periodically to Manager and/or Vice President regarding team performance, implementation schedules, performance to measures, and assessments of status of HMS and/or Continuous Improvement Process.
- Performs other duties within scope as assigned.
- Must be able to perform all essential job function with/without accommodation.
- Ability to effectively use office automation, communication, software, and tools used in Haworth office environment.
Education
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent in relevant field of study.
- Education Equivalency: Associate Degree plus 2 additional years of experience in a Lean/Continuous Improvement role within a Lean manufacturing environment. OR 4 y additional years experience in a Lean/Continuous Improvement role within a Lean manufacturing environment.
Work Experience
- 5 years experience in a Lean/Continuous Improvement role within a Lean manufacturing environment with Bachelor's Degree.
- 3 years experience in a Lean/Continuous Improvement role within a Lean manufacturing environment with Master's Degree.
- Military Equivalency: https://www.mynextmove.org/vets/find/military.
Additional Requirements
- Applicant must possess an unrestricted right to work in the US to be eligible for the position.
- Ability to work and commute onsite daily to our plants in Big Rapids, MI without relocation assistance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Total Business Management (TBM) framework and methodologies such as value stream mapping, A3 problem solving, 5S, kanban, etc. Experience applying TBM principles across multiple departments and business functions.
- Hands-on experience with Shingijutsu/Gemba Kaizen techniques for continuous improvement such as observation, standard work, poke yoke. Track record of engaging employees to identify issues and implement solutions.
- Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or higher) with projects completed in areas such as quality control, process efficiency, cost reduction, supply chain management, etc. Proficient in statistical process control.
- Familiarity with Toyota Production System principles including jidoka, just-in-time, heijunka leveling, standard work. Experience analyzing operations through a TPS lens to improve flow, reduce lead times, increase flexibility.
- Hands-on experience facilitating lean tools and events such as 5S, value stream mapping, A3 problem solving, kaizen, PDCA. Track record of training employees in using tools to drive continuous improvement.
- Strong problem solving skills through structured methodologies like DMAIC, A3 thinking. Experience taking problems from identification to sustainable countermeasures through scientific experimentation and data analysis.
- Project management certification and experience managing multiple lean initiatives from planning to controls to ensure on-time delivery of goals and benefits. Experience with change management practices.
- Experience assessing/auditing operations against lean/Six Sigma standards like Shingo or IMEC models. Experience guiding facilities to improve based on assessment results.
Ideally, You Have Also Demonstrated the Following
- Demonstrated ability to develop team-oriented environment that fosters problem solving and continuous improvement.
- Good organizational and project management skills
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, problem-solving, and planning skills.
