Continuous Improvement Manager

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc. is a leading manufacturer of cleaning solutions for businesses and consumers with operations across the U.S, Canada, and Europe. Our purpose is to make the planet cleaner, safer, and more productive. To fulfill our purpose, we focus on understanding and solving cleaning needs for consumers, as well as business customers across a variety of segments including transportation, industrial, institutional, and food & beverage. We also have a strong presence in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) segment, where we develop products to help consumers and businesses maintain a clean and safe environment. Our products can be found online and at retail shelves at outlets like Home Depot, Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Grainger, HD Supply, Walmart, and many others. We market our products under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep®, Enforcer®, Misty®, TimeMist®, TimeWick, and Country Vet®. Zep was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. In 2021, Zep became the official cleaning partner of Atlanta United FC.

Job Description:

The Continuous Improvement Manager role is a combination of leading Continuous Improvement projects determined as business critical from senior level executives and implementing the executive approved projects within the Company. The Continuous Improvement Manager will be responsible to lead process improvement initiative across Zep facilities. The Continuous Improvement Manager will use data analysis, benchmarking and other technical tools to facilitate strategic planning, ongoing improvement and decision making.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead continuous improvement systems for the company. Conduct regular data-driven CI reviews and coordinate multi-functional evaluations of CI projects through return on investment, Continuous Improvement Plans and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
• Play a key role in maintaining Factory and Distribution Center performance and reliability standards by using data verification, self-assessments, supporting Operational Excellence audits, and managing the Root Cause Analysis process.
• Trend and Analyze Data for operational in-efficiencies and use problem solving tools to solve top problems across the operational down time pareto.
• Drives “bottom-line” performance improvement in critical operational performance areas such as cost, labor productivity, customer service, quality, safety, compliance and people management.
• Lead large standardization and improvement initiatives for the Supply Chain business unit. Partner with process owners to develop and maintain consistent processes, roles and responsibilities, and accountabilities.
• Develop project scopes to realize improvement initiatives and support the execution of capital projects (scope, budget, ROI, implementation plan).
• Utilizing performance management, problem solving, and lean/six sigma tools as well as training, coaching, and influence skills to achieve specific organizational change and financial objectives.
• Teach and coach for Continuous Improvement Initiatives including equipment, operational strategies, and labor, (Material Loss Reduction, Unplanned Downtime Reduction, Lean Six Sigma Implementation) and key standard progression.
• Train and coach process owners in the use of improvement tools and methodology.
• Help Factory and Distribution Center management implement facility based KPI’s, monitor KPI results, explain variances, resolve gaps in performance to ensure sustainability.

Requirements:

• This position requires a bachelor’s degree in an Industrial/Production Engineering and/or manufacturing discipline with knowledge and experience in applying continuous improvement techniques (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM or similar).
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience, preferably in a fast-paced environment. Chemical manufacturing is preferred. Consideration will be given to candidates having experience equivalent to required education with a minimum of a green belt using identified tools, and/or proven track record in process improvement.
• Previous continuous improvement experience with Lean, Six Sigma methodologies such as DMAIC, FMEA tools, Root Cause Analysis, and 5S Strong problem-solving skills.
• SAP proficiency is preferred.
• Must be data-driven and possess a high level of attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of process/value stream mapping.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team leadership skills
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint with the ability to learn other applications related to the job.
• Must be a self-starter with ability to prioritize workload.
• Must be able to work in variable climates (inside, outside, non-climate controlled).
• Ability to travel 25% (multi-sites in Georgia, and out of state).

Our Values

At Zep, we have developed a set of values focused on bringing even greater cohesion to our workplace. As part of this plan, we introduced a values framework called S.P.E.E.D. to align with our purpose of making the planet cleaner, safer, and more productive.

• Stewardship: We continuously improve the safety of our people and products, and we protect the planet by innovating solutions to reduce our environmental impact.

• Passion for Problem Solving: We listen to our customers and actively work to find solutions for unique situations. We think creatively to innovate and seize opportunities that will drive growth and make all our customers’ and consumers’ lives better.

• Empowerment: We encourage and lead our people to be accountable by equipping them to make decisions and own the outcome

• Expertise: We create innovative solutions and partnerships that are relevant to service our communities and customers.

• Doing the Right Thing: We expect our people to understand ethical boundaries and be inclusive of other backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. Demonstrating honesty, respect and integrity in all actions is always expected.

Zep Inc. is an organization that is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages all interested candidates, including women, minorities, & former military personnel to apply. It is the policy of Zep Inc. that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, Zep Inc. provides full employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, ancestry, or veteran status or any other distinction outlined in all applicable federal, state, and local laws.