Director, Continuous Improvement

For more than 70 years, MasterBrand has been shaping the places where people come together, enriching lives and creating meaningful memories for our customers. We are the #1 manufacturer of residential cabinets in North America, and our associates produce the most comprehensive portfolio of superior cabinetry products for the kitchen, bath and other parts of the home. Come see why our associates love working at MasterBrand.

Job Description:

Position Summary

Key leadership position reporting to the VP, Semi-Custom Business Unit. Executes the continuous improvement strategy and approach across 5 manufacturing locations & support functions by providing technical and strategic direction to identify and address business issues and opportunities. Engages with other departments to sustain, improve, and streamline all processes with a primary focus on safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity and engagement.

Key Accountabilities

• Serves as the Champion of the MasterBrand Business System for the Semi-Custom Business Unit organization.
• Cultivates the MasterBrand Way culture by utilizing the tools and methodologies of the MasterBrand Business System while driving change.
• Utilizes continuous improvement tools, processes and systems to better safety, quality, efficiency, cost and reduce waste overall. Leads business and functional teams to analyze and measure the effectiveness of existing business processes and develop sustainable, repeatable and quantifiable process improvements.
• Serves as a teacher and coach in 6S, Kaizen events, Standard Work, Visual Management, TPM, Changeovers, A3 Problem Solving, Value Stream Maps and related process improvement methodologies through hands-on participation. Focuses development in preparing resources to cascade and sustain these methodologies further into the business, developing the next level of leaders.
• Understands and apply financial drivers and key performance indicators.
• Documents best practices and shares improvements to leverage results.

Characteristics & Attributes

• Demonstrates trust in the process of lean methodologies and tools. Approaches situations through a fact-based lens. Analyzes data, draws conclusions, make recommendations, and present findings. Critically assesses and simplifies processes and controls, and challenge business drivers and risks.
• Embraces the team through strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to people at all levels of the organization, including diverse viewpoints.
• Demonstrates effective communication (written and verbal); clearly, concisely and with context communicates objectives and expectations within the organization.
• Focuses on moving forward through strong organizational and execution skills. Able to champion core issues, develop resourceful and creative solutions and drive results.  Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills are a must. Ability to drive successful execution of strategic plans.
• Ability to gain alignment among peers and leaders and key business partners. Influences others outside of own job area regarding policies, practices and procedures.
• Experience within a manufacturing organization, preferably in consumer goods or a make-to-order environment.

Required Knowledge Skills and Experience

• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written)
• Ability to articulate a vision and drive results through influence of indirect reporting relationships
• Strong project management, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Training in Lean 80/20 principles, adult education, or a proven track record of plan execution
• Prefer a background with asset management and total productive maintenance (TPM)
• A team orientation with a proven ability to mentor and develop others
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Business, Engineering or Operations Management preferred
• Lean Six Sigma Certification and/or Qualifications
• 10+ years of proven change leadership skills and experience leading cultural change to a Lean environment

Equal Employment Opportunity

MasterBrand Cabinets LLC is an equal opportunity employer. MasterBrand Cabinets LLC’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability/handicap status, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. MasterBrand Cabinets LLC also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasterBrand Cabinets LLC’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Reasonable Accommodations

MasterBrand Cabinets LLC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment, please contact us at staffing@masterbrand.com.