Position Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer
Reports To: Operations Manager
Location: Liberty, SC
Main Functions / Position Objectives
Implement a system to identify and solve problems by engaging all company personnel. Apply all Continuous Improvement / OpEx (Operational Excellence) principles, tools, and techniques to reduce waste, variation, and overburden on people and processes. Support the leadership team in creating employee engagement in the Continuous Improvement process. Lead, prepare, follow up, and close Continuous Improvement projects and/or events. Train all employees in the different tools used for improvement. Quantify the results of improvement events.
Responsible for training and implementing the 5S program as well as Lean Manufacturing techniques throughout the plant.
Develop the annual Improvement Plan through meetings with Area Managers, based on compliance with corporate value creation metrics.
Manage and follow up on the annual Continuous Improvement Plan, reporting monthly results and generating follow-up actions when results do not meet expected targets.
Present monthly results to corporate.
Improvement Project Focus
- Improvement projects that generate value creation measurable in financial statements.
- Design layouts according to lean manufacturing techniques and safety standards.
- Solve process problems related to low productivity, scrap, quality issues, etc.
- Perform process capability and installed capacity analysis.
- Responsible for training, implementation, and follow-up of 5S activities.
- Monitor results and follow up on actions to sustain scrap reduction results.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
- Manage, lead, prepare, follow up, and close Rapid Improvement Events (RIE) such as Continuous Flow Creation (CFC), Projects, Kaizen, Kaizen Blitz, TPM implementation, Kanban, Quick Changeover (SMED), among other improvement tools.
- Train and coach, all organization employees in practical problem solving (CPS). Develop problem solvers.
- Continuously monitor and report monthly savings results from scrap reduction projects.
- Implement Tier 1 boards and train associates.
- Implement Tier 2 boards.
- Create layouts during improvement events.
- Create, prepare, and keep updated training support materials used during improvement events.
- Create Value Stream Analysis (VSA) maps.
- Create, support, and train in Standard Work (SW & LSW).
- Develop, train, and follow up on Poka Yoke implementation.
- Manage and participate in the Management Gemba board.
- Establish and validate with Finance and applicable leadership the method to measure value-generating project results.
- Follow up on monthly project results and present validated results to corporate.
Knowledge:
- Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Management Engineering, or related field.
- AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Office.
- Poka Yoke.
- SMED.
- Methods Engineering.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years in engineering-related areas such as Maintenance, Production, or Quality.
- Information analysis capability.
- Creativity, complex problem-solving, planning, proactivity, teamwork.
$90,000 - $110,000
Skills Required
- Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Management Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum 2 years of engineering-related experience in areas such as Maintenance, Production, or Quality
- Experience with AutoCAD
- Experience with SolidWorks
- Experience with Microsoft Office
- Knowledge of Poka Yoke
- Knowledge of SMED
- Knowledge of Methods Engineering
- Information analysis and complex problem-solving capability
- Planning, teamwork, proactivity, analytical ability, and effective listening
- U.S. person status or authorization to access ITAR/EAR-controlled technical data
Knowles Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Knowles Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Knowles Corporation.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is often considered strong, with medical, dental, vision, telehealth, and wellness programs commonly highlighted. Feedback suggests these offerings are a notable plus, even if specifics vary by location and role.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match and broader financial-wellness support are emphasized and described favorably. These elements contribute to a perception of a solid, competitive benefits package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, holidays, sick time, and family leave are frequently called out. Feedback suggests time off policies support reasonable work-life balance for many roles.
Knowles Corporation Insights
What We Do
Knowles Corporation is a global leader and provider of advanced audio and precision device solutions. The company specializes in high-performance capacitors, RF and microwave filters, and micro-acoustic components, such as microphones and balanced armature speakers. It serves a wide range of demanding end markets, including consumer electronics, hearing health, medical technology, defense, aerospace, and industrial electrification.
