Upstream Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Detroit, MI

Welcome to Acoufelt, LLC
Acoufelt specializes in delivering high-quality soft architectural acoustics solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients. We work with contractors, ceiling sub-contractors, designers, and architects to provide products that enhance and transform interior workspaces. Our portfolio includes a range of premium soft architectural materials and products designed for commercial projects.
Position Overview
We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Continuous Improvement Coordinator to support continuous improvement initiatives across Acoufelt's operations. Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Engineer, this position will work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and other teams to identify problems, investigate root causes, improve processes, and support the implementation of sustainable solutions.
The Continuous Improvement Coordinator will review processes, Bills of Materials (BOMs), manufacturing information, system data, and operational performance to identify inaccuracies, inconsistencies, waste, or process gaps that may be creating downstream problems.
This role will work closely with employees throughout the organization to understand how processes are currently performed, identify opportunities for improvement, coordinate corrective actions, and help ensure improvements are documented and sustained.
This role will be in person at our Headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI.
Core Responsibilities

• Problem Investigation: Investigate recurring manufacturing and operational issues, gather relevant information, and help identify root causes and practical corrective actions.
• Data Analysis: Analyze production, quality, inventory, workflow, and other business data to identify trends, exceptions, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities.
• BOM & Manufacturing Data Review: Review Bills of Materials (BOMs), routings, manufacturing information, and system data to identify inaccuracies or inconsistencies that may be contributing to production, inventory, quality, purchasing, scheduling, costing, or other downstream problems.
• Process Analysis: Map and review processes to understand how information, materials, and work move through the business and identify gaps, bottlenecks, unnecessary steps, or opportunities for improvement.
• Process Observation: Work directly with production employees and cross-functional teams to understand how processes operate in practice, identify differences between documented and actual processes, and validate potential causes of problems.
• Corrective Actions & Improvement Projects: Support and coordinate assigned corrective actions and improvement projects from initial problem definition and root cause investigation through implementation, verification, and follow-up.
• Action Plan Ownership: Develop and own action plans for assigned problems and improvement initiatives, working with Management and the Continuous Improvement Engineer to develop practical solutions, coordinate implementation, assign and track actions, address roadblocks, and verify that completed actions achieve the intended results.
• Reporting & Communication: Develop reports, analysis, and clear summaries that communicate findings, support decision-making, and help teams understand problems and recommended actions.
• Action Tracking & Results: Track improvement actions, responsibilities, and completion dates, and measure whether implemented changes are delivering the expected results.
• Standardization & Sustainment: Help standardize successful improvements through updated documentation, processes, system information, standard work, or other changes necessary to prevent problems from recurring.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Operations, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and other teams as the problem requires to investigate issues, coordinate solutions, and understand upstream and downstream impacts.
• Continuous Improvement Support: Support the Continuous Improvement Engineer with broader improvement initiatives and independently coordinate smaller improvement activities as assigned.
• Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned to support operational performance, continuous improvement, and business goals.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1-3 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering support, quality, supply chain, continuous improvement, or a related environment.
• Education: Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred. Relevant manufacturing or operational experience may be considered in place of formal education.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate issues, identify patterns, distinguish symptoms from root causes, and follow problems through resolution.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify inconsistencies across manufacturing documentation, processes, and system data.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, with the ability to organize, analyze, and communicate operational data.
• Manufacturing Systems: Experience working with ERP/MRP systems, Bills of Materials, routings, item-master information, or manufacturing data preferred.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: General understanding of manufacturing processes, production documentation, materials, inventory, and process flow.
• Continuous Improvement: Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, 5S, standard work, root cause analysis, or similar improvement methodologies preferred.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively work with employees, supervisors, managers, and technical teams across multiple departments.
• Organization: Ability to manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate documentation, prioritize activities, and follow action items through completion.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across departments and influence improvement without direct supervisory authority.
• Work Environment: Willingness and ability to work both in an office environment and directly on the manufacturing floor.

Success Metrics

• Continuous Improvement Projects: Successful completion of assigned improvement initiatives, corrective actions, and project milestones within established timelines.
• Problem Resolution: Effective identification and resolution of recurring operational problems and their underlying root causes.
• BOM & Data Accuracy: Improved accuracy and consistency of BOMs, manufacturing information, routings, and system data.
• Error Reduction: Reduction in production, inventory, quality, scheduling, purchasing, or costing issues caused by inaccurate processes or manufacturing information.
• Process Standardization: Improvement in process documentation, standard work, and consistency between documented processes and actual operating practices.
• Operational Performance: Measurable improvements in areas such as waste, scrap, rework, productivity, process reliability, lead time, or other operational KPIs associated with assigned projects.
• Action Completion: Timely follow-up and closure of assigned continuous improvement actions and corrective measures.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Effective coordination with Operations, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and other departments to resolve issues and implement improvements.
• Sustainment: Verification that implemented improvements are maintained and continue to deliver the intended operational results.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and bonuses
• Comprehensive health insurance including a choice of two medical plans, dental, vision, employer paid health savings account, and voluntary accident, hospital, life, critical illness.
• Paid Time Off starting at 15 days with carry over
• Collaborative wellness program
• Paid volunteer time off
• 401k employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Rewards and Recognitions