POSITION: Process Improvement Engineer
SHIFT: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
PAY RATE: $65,000 - $80,000+ per hour (DOE) + Full Benefit Package
LOCATION: Minnkota Windows West Fargo, ND
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Process Improvement Engineer leads and supports continuous improvement initiatives across Minnkota Windows by applying Lean Manufacturing principles, tools, and best practices. This role partners with employees, supervisors, and leadership to identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
The Process Improvement Engineer serves as a hands-on coach, facilitator, and change agent who works closely with teams across the organization to eliminate waste, improve workflow, optimize processes, and build a culture of continuous improvement. This position requires extensive manufacturing experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work independently while engaging employees at all levels of the organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Lean Strategy & Continuous Improvement
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence and business objectives.
- Identify and eliminate waste throughout manufacturing processes using Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, improvement workshops, and problem-solving activities.
- Analyze production processes and develop solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and flow.
- Drive sustainable improvements through standardization, documentation, and follow-up activities.
- Support development and execution of the company's continuous improvement roadmap.
Process Improvement & Manufacturing Optimization
- Evaluate manufacturing processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
- Perform process mapping, value stream mapping, workflow analysis, and capacity assessments.
- Develop and implement process improvements that reduce lead times, increase throughput, and improve operational performance.
- Establish standard work and visual management systems to support consistency and efficiency.
- Monitor performance metrics and recommend corrective actions when targets are not achieved.
- Utilize data analysis and problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
Employee Training & Development
- Train employees, supervisors, and managers on Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Develop and deliver training programs covering topics such as:
- 5S
- Standard Work
- Visual Management
- Waste Elimination
- Root Cause Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Value Stream Mapping
- Continuous Improvement Principles
- Coach teams on the practical application of lean tools and techniques.
- Foster employee engagement and ownership of continuous improvement activities.
- Mentor leaders and team members in effective problem-solving practices.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, Customer Success, Quality, and Maintenance teams to identify improvement opportunities.
- Build strong working relationships throughout the organization by actively listening to employees and understanding operational challenges.
- Facilitate collaboration between departments to improve communication, workflow, and problem resolution.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on lean implementation strategies and improvement priorities.
- Support new product introductions, equipment implementations, and process changes through lean principles.
Project Leadership
- Independently manage multiple improvement projects from concept through implementation.
- Develop project plans, timelines, resource requirements, and success measures.
- Track project performance and communicate progress to leadership.
- Ensure improvement initiatives achieve measurable and sustainable results.
- Lead change management efforts to support adoption of new processes and practices.
Safety & Quality
- Promote and support a culture of safety throughout all improvement activities.
- Ensure improvement initiatives maintain or improve product quality standards.
- Support compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Incorporate safety and quality considerations into all process improvement recommendations.
Other
- Embrace and demonstrate the qualities of the Minnkota Windows Game Changer definition.
- Prompt and dependable attendance.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND QUALITIES
- Extensive knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and production environments.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and direction.
- Excellent facilitation, coaching, and training skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility and influence at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to actively listen to employees and understand operational challenges.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to collect, interpret, and present operational data.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong project management and organizational abilities.
- High level of initiative, accountability, and adaptability.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing data systems.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles in a manufacturing environment required.
- Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives with measurable business results.
- Experience training employees and leaders on Lean Manufacturing principles required.
- Experience facilitating Kaizen events, process improvement projects, and problem-solving teams preferred.
- Lean certifications (Lean Practitioner, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent) preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
