Lean Implementation Manager, Asia

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:  

• Runner First 
  • We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond 
  • We do what we say we’ll do 
• Champion Heart  
  • We give our all in everything we do  
• There is no “I” in Run 
  • We stay generous with our humanity 
• Keep Moving 
  • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   

As a Lean Implementation Manager, Asia you will report to the Manager, Lean Manufacturing and will be responsible for partnering with factories and Brooks offices in Asia to optimize manufacturing processes, set direction for the future of footwear manufacturing strategy, lead optimization efforts to reduce costs, increase productivity and maintain and improve quality and influence factories to adopt and utilize automation and improved manufacturing techniques. Emphasis is on lean strategy deployment, deployment of lean methodology, change management and problem solving.

Your Responsibilities:

Builds strong relationship with various levels of leadership in both Brooks and factories. Implement lean strategy deployment and process improvements within Brooks footwear manufacturing partners
Play a key role in automation, digitalization, and standardization initiatives that enhance manufacturing performance, process visibility, consistency, and scalability.
• Facilitate change by influencing people and organizations in a matrixed environment.
• Influence factories and offices to review and refine manufacturing processes to ensure efficiency, productivity, quality and cost.
• Lead efforts to optimize processes and sub-processes within the manufacturing of footwear.
• Support Manager, Lean Manufacturing to drive strategy to identify specific processes and sub-processes to target for optimization and automation efforts
• Collaborate with Development, Commercialization, Production and QA Teams to ensure product and process objectives are aligned.
• Influence factories to staff and support optimization and automation efforts.
• Identify opportunities for process and product improvement and provide recommendations to Manager of Lean Manufacturing..
• Plan and oversee layout of equipment and production facilities within footwear factory to maximize productivity and efficiencies in conjunction with factory leadership.
• Oversee cycle time, bottleneck analysis and develop and improve work method.
• Evaluate factory efforts to comply with and support optimization and automation efforts and record and report on results.  Create and execute plans for improvement when results are not meeting desired outcomes. 
• Other responsibilities as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or 5 years of equivalent experience in the field
• 5+ years of experience leading lean manufacturing efforts in the manufacturing realm, footwear industry experience preferred
• Prior direct supervision experience preferred
• Experience in VSM’s, rapid Improvement (Kaizen) events, A3 thinking, and managing daily improvement
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help out wherever necessary.
• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.