Continuous Improvement Engineer

Covercraft Industries, LLC has been the foremost branded manufacturer of Automotive, Marine, and Recreational Vehicle protection products since 1965. Additionally, we are a market leader in outdoor protection products for Home, and Garden. As a growing company, we operate six production plants across the US and Mexico.

Covercraft is seeking a proficient Continuous Improvement Engineer to oversee the enhancement of operational efficiency and effectiveness within our engineering department. Reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, this role is pivotal in driving continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical skills, a focus on customer satisfaction, and a keen interest in optimizing processes. Effective collaboration with various business units to align technology solutions with organizational objectives will be essential in this dynamic role.

Our team members are the key to our success and that is why we offer career opportunities with outstanding benefits including:

• medical, dental, vision,
• 401(k) Retirement Plan/Employer Matching
• Supplemental voluntary benefits (STD, Life, Accident)
• Generous PTO Policy: beginning at 80 hours the 1st year of employment -> 120 hrs. 2nd year of employment; Paid holidays; Paid Bereavement
• FSA -Flexible Spending Account
• Profit-Sharing Plan - All active team members are eligible
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Educational Tuition Reimbursement
• Basic Life and Disability Insurance

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer

Job Code: 70X

Department: Engineering

Report To/Title: Plant General Manager

Position: Exempt

DESCRIPTION:

The Continuous Improvement Engineer will support improvement of manufacturing and warehouse operations and of our IATF quality system, increasing capacity as we continuously improve our safety, quality, delivery and cost performance using Lean Six Sigma and Toyota Production System methodologies.

The position requires prior experience participating, and preferably leading, formal continuous improvement "Kaizen" events. Partnering with production leadership, shop floor supervisors and production associates to implement process improvements in production. Experience in a mid-sized manufacturing organization and exposure to sewing process technology and lean six sigma strategies. A track record of successfully implementing projects that improved output / capacity, quality, safety and/or reduced costs is needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:• Ability to optimize production operations by partnering with production leadership and shop floor operators to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost/productivity (SQDC) by eliminating waste, bottlenecks, and coaching / leading teams to solve problems• Must have prior experience and a track-record of successfully facilitating continuous improvement / Kaizen / Rapid Improvement events in a production or office setting; should have prior experience with 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Error Proofing, 1 piece Flow, Kanban, and Total Productive Maintenance• Support creation of an ISO 9000 quality system and ensure ongoing compliance of the manufacturing operations.• Compile and utilize production quality data to identify improvement opportunities.• Perform Value Stream Mapping and method evaluations to standardize workflow through Eton Unit Production Systems (overhead asynchronous conveyor system), Toyota Sewing System (TSS) Clusters, manual operations (sewing, tacking, binding, etc...) and other manufacturing operations.• Partner with product design and sales to simplify product designs and optimize material usage efficiency; prior experience with design for manufacturing, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), sewing methods, CNC Fabric Cutting equipment (Gerber, Lectra, Pathfinder) and product assembly methods will be beneficial.• Responsible for setting production standards (i.e., determine allowed time value to perform specific tasks) through application of standard data or performing time study(s).• Conduct capacity analysis and work with manufacturing team to ensure that production processes are capable to satisfy growing customer demand.• Identify, develop and implement opportunities to improve processes and increase productivity / output while reducing costs and improving quality.• Effectively identify and implement opportunities to use technology &/or automation to improve processes; ideally able to partner with maintenance &/or 3rd party consultants to identify and implement automation projects that increase output/revenue per production employee.• Responsible for developing process sequences for production as new product(s) are released.• Responsible for reviewing and improving ergonomic practices.• Manage process documentation (work instructions, visual aids, quality standards, etc).• Train and mentor production leadership and supervision on workplace engineering and analysis.• Develop and implement of best practices and new operating standards to improve manufacturing and business processes; able to effectively communicate with shop floor operators, plant staff and corporate leadership.• Able to plan and implement Capital Equipment projects to identify improvement opportunities, develop an appropriate business case, and manage project execution on-time and with-in budget to deliver on business case Return on Investment (ROI) metrics.• Able to use Computer Aided Design (CAD) / Drafting software to optimize pattern, facility, &/or machinery drawings is a plus.• Other assignments as deemed necessary by your direct supervisor.

AUTHORITY:

All personnel are responsible for safety and quality and therefore have the authority and responsibility to stop production, if necessary, to address safety or quality issues.

SKILLS REQUIRED:• Solid analytical skills with a track-record of success in a "hands-on" production setting• Excellent English verbal, reading, writing and communication skills are a must!• Computer skills, specifically proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, are required.• Strong Communication skills, both written and verbal to all levels of employees.• Prior project management experience is required.• AutoCAD, VISIO &/or drafting software knowledge would be helpful, but is not required.• Covercraft has a diverse workforce and cultivates a culture where all employees can operate at their full potential. Spanish verbal, reading and writing skills would be extremely helpful.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:• Prior experience, at least 2 years, leading team-based productivity, capacity growth or cost reduction projects using Lean/Toyota Production System concepts• Prior experience working within a certified quality system (such as ISO 9000, IATF 16949, and AS 9100). Implementation experience is a plus.• Prior experience in creating properly engineered operational methods.• Prior experience setting work standards, utilizing standard data or time study analysis.• Prior experience designing production processes that maximize efficiency and reduce waste.• Prior experience working with people for method training and setting production standards.• Experience in sewn products industry is a plus, but not required.• CAD experience, a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:• Must be able to spend significant time standing in a production setting on the factory or warehouse floor.• Able to sit or stand for extended period of time (may require sitting or standing all day at any given time in any combination.)

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:• Four-year college degree in Engineering - required.

This written job description should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

I have read and understand the job description.