About AkzoNobel Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.
For more information please visit
© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
Job Purpose The Continuous Improvement Manager (CIM) plays a pivotal role in fostering and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement (CI) within the organization. As a Subject Matter Expert in methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and ALPS, the CIM spearheads initiatives across all operational facets, particularly focusing on manufacturing. The role involves defining, analyzing, and executing projects aligned with business objectives through methods like DMAIC and PDCA. Additionally, the CIM is responsible for training, coaching, and supporting practitioners at various levels and enhancing the CI curriculum within the organization.
Key Responsibilities • Successfully deliver projects and products within designated timeframes, budgets, and quality standards, primarily employing DMAIC methodology.
• Evaluate project team engagement, development, and enablement, ensuring optimal performance.
• Manage monthly T4 Reports, encompassing ALPS, CI project statuses, and other pertinent metrics.
• Foster strong relationships within the CIM network, enhancing accessibility and quality.
• Drive the training and development of Lead Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners, Practitioners, and Sponsors.
• Ensure internal customer satisfaction through continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Activities • Initiate improvement projects in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring clear objectives and scope.
• Formulate comprehensive project plans, including resource allocation and budgeting, with approval from sponsors.
• Coach and coordinate project leads to monitor progress, manage risks, and implement corrective actions.
• Timely delivery of project milestones and successful project closure, including lessons learned analysis.
• Develop organizational capabilities in continuous improvement methodologies, facilitating training and coaching sessions.
• Support site performance enhancement by guiding workforce and management in implementing improvement activities.
• Identify, validate, and drive new improvement opportunities, managing the improvement project funnel.
• Lead/support local ALPS implementation and maintenance, contributing to sustainable improvement frameworks.
Level of Autonomy The role entails a high degree of autonomy in project execution, encompassing decision-making from inception to completion. The CIM determines which information or decisions require escalation to the site management team. Additionally, the role involves assisting in budget allocation and financial decision-making, particularly regarding capital expenditures and process improvements.
Job Requirements • 5-8 years of relevant work experience in operations, production, maintenance, logistics, or continuous improvement.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, with a focus on technical, business, engineering, or chemistry disciplines.
• Proven experience as a Lead CI Practitioner, with at least 4 years of continuous improvement methodology expertise (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM).
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and coaching skills, along with proficiency in influencing and negotiation.
• Proficient in project management methodologies, particularly DMAIC and Lean.
• Excellent language skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience across different business units, disciplines, or regions is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability as a change agent at both management and shop floor levels.
• Broad or specialized knowledge of functional disciplines, strategies, policies, and standards.
Compensation/Benefits The salary range for these skills is: $110,000 to $122,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.
Benefits: Medical insurance with HSA • Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits • Annual bonus • 401K retirement savings with 6% company match • Generous vacation, personal and holiday pay • Paid Parental leave • Hybrid work for most exempt roles • Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks • Career growth opportunities on a regional and global scale • Tuition Reimbursement • Career growth opportunities • Employee referral bonus •
This job description outlines the pivotal role of the Continuous Improvement Manager in driving organizational excellence through the implementation of continuous improvement methodologies and fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency.
At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.
Requisition ID: 39797
#LI-KG1
