Continuous Improvement Manager

The Continuous Improvement Manager provides effective, visible and inspirational leadership of business transformation and continuous improvement based on business requirements and strategy, focusing on improvement of customer experience, on-time delivery, quality and margin performance.

What needs to be done?

• Accountable for the identification, definition, prioritization and execution of the business improvement initiatives in cooperation with the business and process owners.
• Developing HCR capabilities and efficiency in Continuous Improvement by training and coaching at all levels of the organization and facilitating the use of relevant tools and methods.
• Initiate and implement improvement initiatives in line with the strategic direction.
• Support the implementation of the Future Factory Vision and contribute to the definition and execution of Flawless Execution initiatives.
• Continuous improvement of annual roadmap and program, aligned with the company strategy and Annual Operating Plan.
• Design and implement a singular cross functional process that considers all deliverables and drives execution across the IBS (integrated Business System).
• To improve efficiency of functional problem solving and root causes analyses. CBE awareness and training plan, to drive a Continuous Improvement culture in coordination with the Global CBE team

What do you need to bring?

• Bachelor degree in Engineering/Quality/Operations/ Continuous Improvement disciplines and/or equivalent experience and training.
• A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification with preferably expertise in DMAIC methodology.
• Project Management basics.
• We prefer candidates with strong demonstratable experience with successful outcomes when implementing and operating Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and Kaizen principles, preferably in an engineer-to-order or configured-to-order environment. Experience in manufacturing environments.
• Experience with hierarchical or functional leadership.
• Proven ability to expertly prioritize and execute multiple initiatives, projects and tasks.
• Stakeholder management – able to understand wider business environment, identify stakeholder interests and pro-actively manage expectations and commitments.
• Strong and data driven analytical skills, ability to understand and oversee complex and highly interlinked processes.
• Demonstration of competencies in identifying, implementation and delivering impact through process improvements.
• Full proficiency the English language to navigate in an international business environment.
• Communication – strong communicator, easily establishing relations on individual and team level, able to build a motivating and stimulating culture.
• Pro-active attitude, ability to anticipate on challenges and set-backs, ability to mitigate the impact for the business.
• Creative mindset with a customer focus.
• Team player and self-starter.

Howden is a leading global engineering business who focuses on providing mission critical air and gas handling products to their clients, helping them to increase their environmental and operational efficiencies. Howden recognizes the value of people and truly believes that by working together, aligned to a common purpose, they all have the opportunity to grow, learn and make a difference. Their expertise has made a valuable difference for our clients for the past 100+ years.