Lean Materials Specialist - M.C. Dean, Inc

Position Overview: The Lean Materials Specialist is a critical role in supporting LEAN manufacturing principles by ensuring the smooth and continuous flow of materials, tools, and information throughout the production line. This individual is responsible for delivering supplies, components, and equipment to workstations at the right time, minimizing downtime, and enhancing production efficiency. The Lean Materials Specialist  plays a pivotal role in maintaining a clean, organized, and optimized work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Material Handling & Delivery:
   • Retrieve and deliver components, tools, and supplies from storage areas to workstations based on production schedules and operator requests.
   • Ensure materials are delivered just-in-time (JIT) to prevent production interruptions and minimize inventory at workstations.
   • Monitor stock levels of materials at workstations and replenish as needed without overstocking.

1. Workflow Coordination:

• Communicate with production team members, supervisors, and material handlers to coordinate the flow of materials.
• Work closely with warehouse and logistics teams to ensure materials are prepared and staged efficiently for delivery.
• Identify potential bottlenecks and take proactive steps to ensure continuous production.
1. LEAN Manufacturing Support:

• Assist in the implementation and continuous improvement of LEAN manufacturing practices, such as 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) and Kanban systems.
• Support Kaizen (continuous improvement) activities by identifying and addressing inefficiencies in material flow and workstation organization.
• Monitor and report on key metrics related to material flow, workstation efficiency, and production support.
1. Quality & Safety Compliance:

• Inspect materials for quality before delivery to workstations, ensuring compliance with production standards.
• Adhere to safety protocols and guidelines, ensuring safe handling and transportation of materials throughout the facility.
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace, including keeping pathways clear and organized for efficient movement.
1. Documentation & Reporting:

• Record material movement and usage accurately to maintain up-to-date inventory levels.
• Report discrepancies, such as shortages or damaged materials, to the production supervisor promptly.
• Assist with cycle counts and physical inventory when required.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in a manufacturing or warehouse environment preferred.
• Familiarity with LEAN manufacturing principles and techniques (e.g., 5S, Kanban) is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing production needs.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to operate material handling equipment (e.g., pallet jacks, carts) safely.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends, as required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Material delivery time accuracy.
• Reduction in workstation downtime due to material shortages.
• Improvement in overall production efficiency and support for continuous improvement initiatives.

Travel: 

• Some day trips to project sites to extend materials and equipment management.

Abilities:

• Lifts at least 100 pounds at one time and 60 pounds for an extended period of time.
• Relocates a 12 foot stepladder without assistance.
• Works at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
• Walks, climbs, lifts, squats, crawls, kneels, pushes, pulls and reaches overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
• Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
• May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
• Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.  It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.