Continuous Improvement Engineer

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

WORK TYPE: Hybrid

LOCATION DETAILS: Grand Prairie, TX

WORK HOURS: Monday – Friday; 8am-5pm CST

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: Up to 45% domestic travel.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

As the Continuous Improvement/Industrial Engineer, you will be responsible for applying industrial engineering, lean, and six sigma principles to improve operations and processes. This person will work with senior management to help make organizational changes, particularly around establishing engineering standards and KPI’s that assist in driving accountability, root cause analysis/containment actions and process improvement.

Additionally, you will assist in the overall direction, implementation, and continuous improvement of Lean systems infrastructure in all phases of the operations. This role will require the ability to understand department needs and objectives and interact with all levels of the organization.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

• Travel to Varsity Brands facilities throughout the US, supporting with remodeling/startups, developing facility layout and design, labor standards, preparing staffing and efficiency analyses, identifying cost savings opportunities, and assisting other programs to support operational implementations.
• Complete Analysis and Propose Manufacturing, Distribution, Logistics and 3PL solutions that optimize output and cost. 
• Document processes, systems, and job descriptions to facilitate operational startups, providing on-site support as required; analyze ongoing costs, providing comparisons to prior cost and price estimates, develop labor standards, process flow diagrams and job descriptions; estimate facility staffing requirements; identify, evaluate, and implement productivity improvements
• Identify facility design requirements based on activity levels, product envelope, product flow, transportation methods, building layout and power requirements; specify material handling and storage equipment solutions, and use of automation where justified
• Train and develop industrial engineering staff; provide technical support and direction to site industrial engineers.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES

• Ability to develop solutions for Varsity Brands Logistics and Distribution Network that focuses on:
  • Reduced distribution costs
  • Understanding of customer service, service cost & Options
  • Appropriate balance of storage, inventory, and transport costs
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills, with ability to successfully prioritize and manage multiple accountabilities simultaneously
• Moderate to advanced skills with MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook and MS Word.
• Availability to travel up to 45% of the time (Up to 3 weeks per month)
• Knowledge of production processes, costs, quality control, raw materials, shipping, and other methods (preferred)
• Excellent analytical and proactive problem-solving skills
• Customer service driven, able to understand and support the business goals and objectives
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in an extremely fast paced environment

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Research, Lean Manufacturing, or a closely related field. Masters preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: Operations, Distribution, Logistics, Supply Planning.
• Experience in Lean & Kaizen Methodology, AutoCAD and analysis tools
• Experienced with network analysis/optimization/design, data science/analytics
• Experience in Distribution, Logistics, and 3PL (preferred)
• Experience in continuous improvement efforts in a mid-size seasonal manufacturing company (preferred)
• Demonstrated success managing multiple processes and tasks

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment. Largely a sedentary role with some filing requiring the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary. The ability to sit or stand for long periods through meetings and while operating office equipment, PC’s, laptop, telephone will be required.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; drive, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

During events, the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time (5 hours plus) is required. The ability to communicate with customers and colleagues using the following but not limited to radio, walkie talkie, text message and email is required. The ability to lift, bend, push, pull and manipulate equipment that is a minimum of 30 lbs. is required.

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OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.