Site Continuous Improvement Leader

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Develops and executes Lean and Continuous Improvement strategy within Wiesbaden site across all departments. This is a key role in leading and driving cultural change across the business. This position requires excellent leadership facilitation skills, the ability to work independently and partner with business leaders and key stakeholders in identifying and executing continuous improvement in all functional areas. 

What you'll do - 

• Develops and executes LEAN strategy for their site, value stream and support the Continuous Improvement team globally.
• Build LEAN capabilities within Smiths in alignment with Smiths Excellence strategy. Collaborate with Division Lean colleagues to train practitioners, support cross-functional Kaizens and act as Lean SME for Lean development programs.
• Train operational and functional teams in Lean principles, methodology, and tools.
• Facilitates the development and deployment of a disciplined Daily Management System incorporating Leader Standard Work, Visual Management and Daily Accountability
• Partner with all functions to develop cross-functional end-to-end value stream maps to capture current state, define future state with a roadmap of actions to improve customer performance and achieve business objectives.
• Coach projects focused on improvements in customer performance, increased throughput and speed, reduced cycle times/lead times and productivity improvement.
• Coach site leadership team & employees through regular Gemba walks to drive continuous improvement
• Utilise best practices and data to influence leaders and teams to achieve positive business results.
• Identifies, promotes, and disseminates out-of-the-box Lean thinking and best practices, supports and coaches during continuous improvement strategy workshops and project implementations.
• Plays a role in facilitating the effectiveness of the enterprise-wide continuous improvement deployment including: active participation in the global Community of Practice, sharing of best practices, supporting the success of other belts and other duties to enable the success of continuous improvement at Smiths.
• Functions as a catalyst for a culture of excellence including: Customer focus, data-driven decision-making, ownership of processes and operational metrics, Lean Six Sigma as Smiths’ Way of Working, and Servant Leadership to create an inclusive continuous improvement environment.

What you'll definitely need - 

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of demonstrable and extensive LEAN leadership.
• 5 years facilitating large-scale strategic initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification (preferable).
• A proven track record of end-to-end value stream management (e.g., operations, administration, customer-facing).
• Experience leading and creating high-performing teams and championing change.
• Leadership – ability to formulate and communicate clear vision and sense of direction and mobilise people.
• Communication – ability to effectively influence and articulate using different channels (verbal and written).
• Facilitating – ability to organize and facilitate multidisciplinary teams through structured workshops (strategic session, Kaizens, problem solving sessions).
• Change management – ability to communicate a need for change, create all necessary conditions for successful change and overcome different forms of resistance.
• Coaching – ability to coach people to develop their skills and abilities to achieve agreed upon objectives.
• Training – ability to identify and formulate training needs and assure training execution and follow up.
• Problem solving – ability to coach and support leaders and teams in using data to drive problem solving
• Willing to travel up to 25% of the time for business purposes.
• Advanced level skill in Microsoft Office tools – including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint.

We offer…

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

Diversity & Inclusion:

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (www.smithsdetection.com/careers)