Lean Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Who Are We?

Have you ever gone into a grocery store or convenience store for things like milk, bagged salads, or frozen pizza? The coolers and freezers you find those and other food products in are what we do!! Zero Zone is a manufacturer of reach-in and open refrigerated and frozen food display cases as well as the refrigeration systems that work behind the scenes to cool the cases, keeping the food fresh! We also make powerful industrial refrigeration systems for food warehousing, pharmaceuticals, and even ice rinks!

Our company is structured across 2 divisions – the Display Case Division, located in North Prairie, WI, Waukesha, WI, and Mukwonago, WI and the Refrigeration Systems Division, located in Ramsey, MN and Dyersville, IA.

What Are We Like?

At Zero Zone, you will be a valued member of the Zero Zone team, able to take ownership of your own career path. We believe in hard work, teamwork, collaboration, and respect, and we have grown through dedication to our Purpose: “Preserving customer valuables through refrigeration.” For over 60 years, we have been a leader in refrigeration, and our people are well known for exceptional customer service. We also believe we are the COOLEST coworkers (pun intended)! This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the refrigeration industry with one of the top leading manufacturers in the country! Come grow with us!!

What Can We Offer You?

• Vacation and Personal Hours (after only 30 days!)

• Competitive Wages

• Comprehensive Benefits Package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D, HSA/FSA, EAP)

• 401k and Profit Sharing

• 10 Paid Holidays

• Flexible Schedules

• Casual Dress Code

• Wellness Programs and Incentives

• Steel Toe Reimbursement

• Employee Engagement Programs

• One-time Home Computer Reimbursement

• And more!

What Will You Do?

Under the direction of Manufacturing Engineering the detail oriented Lean Technician utilizes lean manufacturing methodologies to support implementation of continuous improvement opportunities. This includes production process review, 5S auditing, participating and/or facilitating Kaizen events, with awareness to established quality standards during the manufacturing processes.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Support the promotion of a lean culture in the organization by working with various areas to complete events and projects required to implement future state plans
• Assist in daily 5S auditing within specified production areas to provide teams with documented results to maintain standards for a safe and organized environment
• Coordinate Kaizen events with teams to support continuous improvement activities
• Confers with Quality Group, Production Leadership, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Group & Design Engineering to reduce waste throughout value streams.  
• Communicate with ZZD System Division to share improvement opportunities and support consistency.
• Develops, evaluates, and audits manufacturing methods to reduce waste and maintain Quality Assurance standards.
• If significant variance, review project standard labor hours to actual labor hours to identify potential discrepancy and provide recommendations.    

Requirements for Effective Performance:

• Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school
• Two (2) plus years related experience in a manufacturing environment
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing methodologies
• Basic understanding of ISO documentation standards

Skills/Abilities/Specifications:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients and customers.
• Command of "normal correspondence", including memos and letters.
• Ability to communicate ideas and give direction to others.
• Communicate clearly in one on one and in group settings
• Ability to converse knowledgeably with customers and vendors about products and various components.

Behavioral & Environmental Requirements:

• Maintain a positive work attitude. Zero Zone expects all employees to behave and communicate in a manner which will facilitate good relationships with customers, clients, co-workers, and supervisor.
• Safety toe shoes and safety glasses are required while in production areas.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk throughout the office and production areas; have use of hands and fingers to use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 45 pounds.