Continuous Improvement Program Manager Jobs in Columbia, MD

Hamilton Associates, a diverse, growth-oriented, Lean-driven, ISO-Certified manufacturing company is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist (Lean Manufacturing Specialist) to join our team. Hamilton Associates is a privately held, diversified group of businesses employing about 100 people. For five years running, Hamilton Associates has been recognized by the Baltimore Sun as one of the region’s Top Workplaces, thanks to our competitive benefits, collaborative culture, and deep commitment to employee well-being. For additional information about our Company and each of our divisions and our product lines, please visit our websites at www.hamiltonassoc.com, www.elscoguides.com, www.atitest.com, and www.dirtkiller.com.

In this position, the Continuous Improvement Specialist utilizes lean principles to identify, develop, and implement process improvements that increase productivity and reduce waste across the organization. The Continuous Improvement Specialist develops metrics to measure and monitor improvements in quality, productivity, and cost. In addition to creating metrics and tracking progress, the Lean Manufacturing Specialist ensures that products are made correctly and safely. Overall, the Lean Manufacturing Specialist coach’s teams, analyzes data, and fosters a culture of efficiency.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Leads cross-functional Kaizen events, workshops, and Gemba walks to identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks, driving continuous improvement and resolving critical business challenges.

• Partners with employees across the organization to foster a culture of continuous improvement and drive effective lean processes.

• Analyzes workflows, workspaces, and resource utilization to identify problems, waste, and inefficiencies then applies lean principles to make improvements.

• Gathers, analyzes, and maintains data used to develop and measure improvement initiative effectiveness.

• Works with outside consultants and senior leadership to prioritize and complete Lean projects aligned with company initiatives.

• Applies core Kaizen and Lean tools, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), root cause analysis, process mapping, and data analysis to evaluate and improve workflows.

• Mentors and trains employees in the use of Lean tools and data analysis including 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping, Problem Solving, and Data Analysis. Promotes understanding of Lean concepts.

• Performs time studies to better gauge opportunities for process improvement.

• Maps current processes to better understand where process improvements can be made.

• Develops, updates, and improves standard operating procedures and work instructions.

• Collaborates with departmental Directors to develop and implement metrics, reports out on performance of these metrics.

• Develops content for Lean facilitation and training that can be widely understood by employees at all levels.

• Drives the integration of initiatives into daily operations and maintains comprehensive documentation of process updates.

• Fosters a culture of teamwork, problem-solving, and respect for other people.

• Champions change while at the same time embodying Hamilton's company values in every situation and interaction.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM SKILLS AND BACKGROUND REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree.

• 4+ years’ experience applying Lean manufacturing principles in a manufacturing environment.

• Possesses a strong understanding the flow of goods through production facilities.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with individuals at all levels of the organization, including executives, managers, salaried staff, and hourly production employees.

• Strong data analysis and data driven problem-solving mind-set.

• Proven success improving cross functional processes through Continuous Improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles and tools.

• Knowledge and experience working with ERP systems.

• Experience operating within a company with a formal quality management system.

• Experience with MS Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Word.

• Strong independent problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate issues from multiple perspectives prior to escalation.

• Possesses a high degree of stress tolerance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Project Management experience.

• A background in Engineering focusing on product development or industrial engineering, Business, or a related field.

• A background in training and developing others.

• Experience working in an ISO 9001 certified and/or ISO 17025 accredited environment.

• Lean or Six Sigma Certification (Green/Black Belt).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequently stands and walks in the manufacturing facility.

• Some sedentary work.

• Ability to listen and visually assess processes is required up to 90% of the time.

• Repetitive wrist motion is used up to 80% of the time.

• Lifts between 25 - 50 lbs. on occasion.

• Travels 5% of the time.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We offer an attractive compensation package in addition to a comprehensive benefits program including health insurance, 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing, generous paid time-off (PTO) policy, life and disability coverage, plus much more!

CONTACT US

If you are a driven, results-oriented individual seeking an opportunity to play a key role in the continuing growth of a reputable organization, please forward your resume, in WORD or PDF format, along with your salary history/requirements, to us for immediate consideration. Direct applicants only. No solicitation from recruitment or staffing firms. Please note relocation is not offered for this position at this time.

Hamilton Associates, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.