Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist

From smartphones to solar panels, innovative technology is needed to create the devices we use every day. Silfex’s silicon components help make that technology a reality.

Silfex Inc., A Lam Research Company is the leading provider of precision silicon components used to make and operate semiconductor tools, which enable the trillion-dollar global electronics industry. Our company’s products are integral to the semiconductor equipment and optical markets. The outstanding team at Silfex makes that possible – through our people, we are advancing the world. 

The impact we have on the world is made possible by focusing on our people. So we recognize and celebrate our teams’ achievements. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone’s contribution and voice has value. We evaluate and evolve our offerings, so our people receive the support and empowerment to do meaningful things for their lives, careers, and communities.

Our Perks and Benefits

At Silfex, our people make amazing things possible. That’s why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits that start on your first day of employment. 

Discover more at Lam Benefits

Job Descriptions:

Essential Function:

Accountable and responsible to the Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement for facilitating waste eliminating initiatives that impact the following Key Performance Indicators: People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost - for both Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing functional areas and processes.  Expected to build trust, break down silos, and create transparency through mutual respect and objective data. Works daily to understand business needs and resource relationships, including: equipment, personnel, technology, and processes – all while integrating Voice of the Customer (internal and external). Coaches manufacturing and non-manufacturing team members on Lean/Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and concepts both at the Gemba as well as in the classroom. Provides direction to implement, plan, develop, organize, and continuously improve business processes in order to maximize productivity and efficiencies. Collaborates with engineering, quality, and maintenance to minimize scrap and machine downtime. Responsible for the continual development and cross-training of employees to drive CI maturity (Bronze, Silver, Gold) for the business across two sites. Utilized a logic-based best practices, Go-See validation, and power of influence (as opposed to a “Thou Shalt”) methodology in order to overcome challenges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead, guide and support formal and informal training sessions using Silfex Core Criteria
• Track key performance indicators (including CI Maturity), develop/implement corrective actions / countermeasures, and uphold accountability systems.
• Supports daily change management activities while providing the appropriate levels of support and coaching.
• Embraces and Supports: Silfex Mission, Guiding Principles, and Core Values
• Uses analytical, statistical, and data-driven approaches for mapping out current-state / future-state opportunities within any business department (Finance, Planning, Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, Safety, etc.)
• Engage team members with a “I do (teach), you do, we do (in this journey together)” coaching style
• Play a key part in building and developing teams to identify & reduce waste, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce costs (downtime, cycle times, etc.)
• Supplies authentic positive reinforcement through daily catch-ball exercises
• Effectively communicates timely updates with ongoing initiatives, including: Kaizen Event updates, CI Projects, Just-Do-It’s, and Wins of the Week
• Has technical expertise to ‘hit the ground running’ with teaching Lean/CI tools/concepts effectively – i.e. – application experience of multiple Kaizen Events for several different tools with success stories and Lessons Learned. A ‘relevant’ first-hand teacher/coach.
• Has a proactive, what’s next’ eagerness to go Identify the next Lean/CI opportunity by knocking on doors.
• Collaboratively manage work cell(s)/value stream(s) with technical Lead Person(s) and/or Supervisors driving continuous quality and performance improvements based on established metrics. Develop strong relationships with Engineering to assist with goal achievement.
• Promotes Accountability (internal and external) to all liaison initiative. Maintains self-management using Leader Standard Work.
• Can maintain Standardized approaches to a normal workday while having a healthy balance of ‘outside of the box’ creativity as well. Can see the big picture and inject new ideas as necessary.
• Can maintain a healthy balance of managing and facilitating multiple assignments in a given period, with discernment for priority.

Culture:

• Display a positive attitude and strong work ethic that reflects the Mission and Core Values of Silfex.
• Create and maintain a culture where workplace safety is part of everything we do.  Provide the safest possible workplace to our employees by modeling and following all company safety policies, reporting any incidents or unsafe conditions immediately to Silfex management.  Wear all PPE as required by work area or job function.
• Communication – Begin with the end in mind – Communicate boldly as well as effectively with empathy and respect to inspire teamwork and collaboration vertically and horizontally within Silfex.
• Assist in applying lean manufacturing concepts and 5S.  Demonstrate ownership of continuous improvement ideas and activities.  Maintain organization and cleanliness, housekeeping and 5S within work area.  Maintain these areas to the highest degree possible while responsibly escalating any maintenance issues.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, ideally within engineering or production management, with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years experience with a Master’s degree
• Preferred Six Sigma Black Belt, AME Bronze, or equivalent Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience.
• In depth knowledge of factory processes including engineering/technical support, production planning, and staffing to meet delivery requirements.
• Ability to lead change and establish operational metrics/key indications for process control, communication and performance improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities, make sound decisions and work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively supervise, motivate and direct production personnel.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills – write reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals and respond to questions from managers, customers, general public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Ability to define and solve technical problems.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands: 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and; talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds. The employee regularly is required to lift up to 10 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
 
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the environment is moderate.

Our Commitment

We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.

Silfex Inc., A Lam Research Company ("Silfex" or the "Company"), is an equal opportunity employer. Silfex is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.