For more than 50 years, our client has been one of the leading providers of aerospace lighting systems. The Canadian division, located in Montreal, is a leader in the design and manufacture of lighting components and systems for civil, commercial, and military aircraft cockpits. They specialize in the engineering and manufacturing of avionic HMI products such as simple and complex keyboards, illuminated display panels, and front panels.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the incumbent will be responsible for continuous improvement. They will interact with various teams, including engineering, quality control (QC), and operations. They will lead Lean assessment initiatives and Kaizen events. They will evaluate costs, manage production times, optimize production flows, develop dashboards with production supervisors, actively participate in continuous improvement training, and support the transfer of product designs to production.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field with a minimum of 5 to 10 years of experience in a similar role in a manufacturing environment.
• Lean practitioner with relevant experience in leading workshops, experience in “Six Sigma” and/or “Lean” projects, knowledge of standards such as AS 9100 and AS9145 (an asset).
• Proven experience in leading process improvement initiatives, driving efficiency, and implementing best practices.
• Proven experience in managing MRP routings, standard hours, and optimizing product flows.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in the Microsoft suite, data analysis, and reporting tools.
• Pragmatic approach to achieving excellence, flexibility, adaptability, and good response skills.
• Ability to work at various organizational levels and support leadership teams.
• Results-oriented with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong leadership and team management skills (an asset).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, coaching, and persuasive skills.
• Bilingualism (French and English) required.
• Available for occasional travel.
• Asset: Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification, membership in the Order preferred, experience in the aerospace electronics industry, knowledge of machining, molding, and painting processes is a plus.
• Asset: Proven ability to lead and train high-performance teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Lean Assessment and Hoshin Kanri Integration: Lead the integration of Lean assessment initiatives with Hoshin Kanri strategic planning processes to ensure alignment of improvement efforts with organizational goals and priorities.

Event Planning and Coordination: Plan and coordinate Kaizen events, including setting objectives, forming teams, defining scopes, and establishing schedules to ensure positive outcomes.

Kaizen Event Leadership: Lead and facilitate Kaizen events across various departments and processes, engaging cross-functional teams to identify and implement quick improvement opportunities.

Problem Identification: Work closely with teams to identify process inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and sources of waste through Gemba walks, process observation, and data analysis.

Training and Development: Provide training and coaching to employees at all levels on Lean principles, tools, and methodologies, enabling them to identify waste, propose solutions, and drive improvements.

Value Stream Alignment: Align value stream mapping exercises with Hoshin Kanri objectives to optimize end-to-end processes, improve value delivery to customers, and generate strategic outcomes.

MRP Routings and Standard Hours Management: Develop, implement, and optimize material requirement planning (MRP) routings for efficient production planning and optimal resource allocation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between production schedules and material availability. Regularly review and update standard hours based on changes in processes, equipment, or product specifications.

Product Flow Optimization: Analyze and improve product flow throughout the production process, minimizing bottlenecks and optimizing resource utilization. Work closely with production managers to ensure a smooth and efficient product flow from raw materials to finished goods.

Data Analysis and Reporting: Use data analysis tools to analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports on production efficiency and process improvements. Present findings and recommendations to management for informed decision-making.