Summary
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Site/Brand Lead is responsible for driving operational excellence across assigned MBI manufacturing operations, supporting the end-to-end operations, including production of premium boats and marine components. This role partners closely with plant and MBI leadership to enhance performance in hull fabrication, assembly, upholstery, rigging, and finishing-while preserving the craftsmanship and brand quality MBI is known for.
A core accountability of this role is the reduction of Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through disciplined problem-solving, defect elimination, and process control. The CI Lead acts as a hands-on change agent, deploying feasible methodologies (that include Lean principles) in a high-customization environment while strengthening a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) Reduction & Problem Solving (PRIMARY DELIVERABLE)
- Own plant-wide COPQ reduction strategy, including:
- Baseline accuracy
- Internal failures (scrap, rework, repair hours)
- External failures (warranty, dealer claims, field issues)
- Extended appraisal costs (inspection inefficiencies)
- Align with MBI Quality initiatives by co-establishing brand/site baseline COPQ metrics and drive year-over-year reduction targets.
- Lead structured problem-solving activities by using:
- A3 thinking
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- 8D / DMAIC methodologies
- Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving activities (workshops, coaching, training, etc.) on top external (warranty) and internal (plant losses), including:
- Inspection
- Rework
- Gelcoat and cosmetic defects
- Upholstery rework
- Electrical and functional system failures
- Ensure permanent corrective actions with validation, standardization, and follow-up audits.
- Build capability across teams to solve problems at the root cause-not symptoms.
- Create transparency through COPQ dashboards and integrate into daily management
Operational Excellence in Premium Boat Manufacturing
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across key brand/site production processes:
- Parts and component assembly
- Fiberglass hull/deck layup
- Upholstery and interior finishing
- Rigging (electrical, ballast, surf systems)
- Final assembly, detailing, and water testing
- Improve flow and reduce bottlenecks in large-product, station-based assembly.
- Optimize takt alignment and line balancing in high-mix production.
Lean Deployment (Craftsmanship + Efficiency)
- Implement Lean tools while protecting Malibu's premium quality standards:
- Standard Work with built-in quality controls
- Visual Management for production and quality performance
- 5S in high-visibility, finish-critical areas
- Layered Process Audits (LPA)
- Optimal setup and controls leading to defect and COPQ reduction
- Target waste reduction in:
- Resin and composite material usage
- Rework loops and repair stations
- Labor inefficiencies driven by variation
Quality & Brand Protection
- Partner with MBI Quality to protect the premium brand reputation.
- Improve first-pass yield (FPY), reduce defects per unit (DPU), and reduce defect escape rates.
- Drive mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) in critical systems affecting:
- Safety
- Performance
- Customer-visible quality
- Connect plant metrics directly to dealer and customer satisfaction.
Customer & Dealer Experience Integration
- Translate dealer feedback and warranty trends into actionable improvement plans.
- Close the loop between field issues and plant corrective actions.
- Prioritize improvements that enhance the on-the-water customer experience.
Performance Management & Visual Systems
- Establish plant-wide SQDC and COPQ visual management systems.
- Track and drive key KPIs:
- COPQ as % of sales
- Rework hours per boat
- FPY and/or DPU
- Warranty cost per unit
- Throughput and on-time delivery
- Lead daily Gemba and tiered accountability meetings.
Production Scaling
- Support ramp-up/down aligned to demand cycles.
- Improve workforce flexibility via cross-training and standard work.
- Maintain quality discipline during high-volume peak periods.
Culture & Capability Building
- Support growth of problem-solving capability at all levels of the organization.
- Coach supervisors and team leaders on structured CI and defect elimination.
- Drive accountability for "build it right the first time" mindset.
- Increase employee engagement in kaizen and continuous improvement.
Project Leadership & Execution
- Lead a pipeline of CI projects with measurable impact on COPQ and operational performance.
- Partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Supply Chain.
- Ensure sustainability through standard work, audits, and leader standards
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field.
- 8-10+ years of experience in manufacturing, continuous improvement, and/or operational excellence activities
- Strong experience driving quality improvement and cost of poor-quality reduction required.
- Demonstrated performance and experience in marine, automotive, RV, or other high-mix assembly environments preferred.
- Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication, training, and facilitation abilities.
- Experience with data analysis, modern QMS tools, and advanced manufacturing concepts
Skills & Knowledge
- Deep expertise in:
- Root cause problem solving (A3, 8D, DMAIC)
- COPQ analysis and budgetary impact modeling
- Lean manufacturing principles
- Experience with industry materials and finishing processes strongly preferred.
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) preferred.
- Strong leadership, team building, group facilitation, and change management skills.
Key Competencies
- Accountability, dependability, adaptability, and flexibility
- Coaching, mentoring
- Creative, innovative thinker
- Good decision making and judgment
- Ethics, integrity, honesty
- Willingness to learn
- Relentless focus on defect elimination and root cause resolution
- Passion for craftsmanship and premium product quality
- Data-driven decision-making with strong shop-floor instincts
- Ability to lead in high-variation, custom manufacturing
- Strong cross-functional leadership and influence
- Systems thinking and standardization
- Project management and execution
- Training and capability development
- Attention to detail and documentation rigor
- Change management
Success Metrics
- Activity based transformational results
- Year-over-year reduction in COPQ (% of revenue)
- Reduction in rework hours and defect rates
- Improved first-pass yield and DPU across all production stages
- Decrease in warranty claims and field failures
- Increased throughput without quality degradation
- Support improvement of on-time delivery performance
- Sustained cost savings tied to defect elimination
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