Continuous Improvement Manager - Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides a wide range of branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. Our products and solutions include labeling and functional materials, radio frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and a variety of products and solutions that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving an array of industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — we employ approximately 34,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2023 were $8.4 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

At Avery Dennison, some of the great benefits we provide are:

• Health & Wellness benefits starting on day 1 of employment
• Paid parental leave
• 401K eligibility
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program eligibility / Health Advocate
• Paid vacation and Paid holidays
• Annual uniform allotment
• Safety shoe reimbursement program
• Prescription safety eyeglass program

The Continuous Improvement Manager (Enterprise Lean Sigma), a member of the Plant Leadership Team, will plan, lead and coordinate continuous improvement efforts and manage enterprise lean sigma (ELS) projects in Performance Tapes sites in Painesville and Mentor, Ohio. This person will report to the Plant Manager and liaison between plant and divisional ELS Champions and ELS Directors while leading a team of ELS Project Leaders. 

Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to:    

• Perform general management duties, exercising usual authority concerning staff, performance reviews, development planning, promotions recruiting, succession planning, and terminations. 

• Responsible for training and development of subordinate staff, estimating personnel needs, assigning work, meeting completion dates, interpreting and ensuring consistent application of organizational policies.  

• Effectively remove roadblocks as they arise.

• Lead and influence team members to achieve individual and business goals through collaboration. 

• Coordinate team efforts, create and manage a regional strategy and team operating plan.  

• Ensue annual goals are complete and communicated.   

• Partner and challenge site leaders to train and apply ELS practices to enhances Tapes ELS culture

• Organize site project initiatives and KPIs within annual OGSM and MDI meetings.

• Responsible for completing an annual ELS maturity assessment as well as building and executing an improvement roadmap. 

• Identify projects within the site and work with site leaders to resource and execute these projects.

• Assist in selection of teams and individuals to work on ELS improvement opportunities.  

• Support operations and introduce them to the ELS principles: 5S, visual management, MDI, standard work, problem solving, and strategy.

• Support operations and introduce them to ELS tools: value stream mapping, swimlane diagrams, process mapping, kanban, poka-yoke, etc.

• Develop ELS training plans, site trainers, authorized facilitators and track progress.  

• Review current and future state value stream maps to draft kaizen proposals.  

• Facilitate and support Kaizen, Blitz, Workshop and Problem Solving events.  

• Share best practices with other CI managers and develop coordinated plans.   

• Identify and communicate ELS readings, training and benchmarking opportunities.  

• Identify and remove organizational barriers to continuous improvement process.  

• Lead site’s layout and flow process improvement efforts.  

• Yokoten within the site to apply best practices.   

• Track Site Continuous Improvement metrics.

• Mentor employees working to achieve various ELS certifications

Required 

• 5 years of business/lean/operations experience, driving team excellence, and managing people in manufacturing. 

• Bachelor's degree required

• Six Sigma Greenbelt required (Black Belt preferred) 

• Proven leadership skills (lead, motivate, process and people management skills).  

• Passion and commitment to Enterprise Lean Sigma.  

• Experience in improvement processes (i.e. Six Sigma, Lean, etc.).  

• Demonstrated ability to drive change across functions and departments.  

• Successful and effective communicator.  

• Capable of facilitating cross-functional teams.

• Understanding of applicable computer systems, such as Google Suite, Minitab and other function specific software.

• Proven ability to mentor and coach others

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Reasonable Accommodations Notice

If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact (440) 534-6000 or NA.TA.Operations@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.