Rapid Improvement Leader

Rapid Improvement Leader

Job Description

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU.

This individual will drive operational transformation across NA Manufacturing sites through execution of Rapid Improvement projects. They will utilize Six Sigma problem solving methods and LEAN tools to identify gaps, develop improvement plans, and execute solutions that deliver significant impact to MFG processes, organizational capability, and high-performance culture. They will provide overall ownership to execute Rapid Improvement projects, typically within a 3–5-month timeframe, ensuring rigorous and consistent application of standards. They will lead and coordinate a cross-functional team including plant operations, engineering, maintenance, Value Stream, logistics, quality, finance, digital and Enterprise Supply Chain to drive delivery of project goals. Additionally, they will be accountable to build capability within the plant teams to ensure sustainability of improved results. This role possesses the ability to influence others and drive collaboration across businesses and functions with minimum supervision. They will also be expected to drive effective stakeholder management across the organization through various forums and methods.

Incumbent reports to the NA Manufacturing Senior Transformation Leader. Position will provide onsite support at NA manufacturing sites during execution of the Rapid Improvement projects with an expectation of ~75% onsite travel throughout the project to ensure on-time completion. They will lead a cross-functional onsite team to ensure project goals are delivered, including support from 1-2 Staff Transformation Leaders. They will typically be assigned to 2-3 Rapid Improvements per year.

In this role, you will:

• Lead execution of multiple Rapid Improvement projects within NA MFG sites that deliver exceptional value (>$2MM annual impact) and drive overall operational transformation including aspirational targets.

• Utilize Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques with extreme rigor and discipline to deliver project goals in a 3–5-month timeframe following Enterprise standards.

• Lead and coordinate a cross-functional team including plant operations, engineering, maintenance, Value Stream, logistics, quality, finance, digital and Enterprise Supply Chain to drive delivery of project goals.

• Utilize effective project management tools and skills to document progress, activity plans, resources and overall status.

• Lead stakeholder management meetings throughout the duration of the projects including steering team and executive team communications, with ability to effectively articulate and influence up to the VP level across Supply Chain functions.

• Build capability within members of the Plant and Value Stream teams to ensure sustainability of results after the project is completed.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to mill operations, including development of visual management tools, tiered scorecards, and Leader Standard Work.

• Collaborate with the digital capabilities team to identify and drive technology improvement solutions that enable operation efficiency and improved asset performance.

• Encourage and facilitate knowledge and best practice sharing across facilities/functions, including documentation of solutions within P2030.

• Possess or working towards LSS Black Belt certification with expectation to maintain an active LSS project ongoing. 

• Subject matter expert on all aspects of LEAN manufacturing.

About Us

Huggies®. Kleenex®. Cottonelle®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®. Kimberly-Clark Professional®. You already know our legendary brands—and so does the rest of the world. In fact, millions of people use Kimberly-Clark products every day. We know these amazing Kimberly-Clark products wouldn’t exist without talented professionals, like you.

At Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of the best team committed to driving innovation, growth and impact. We’re founded on more than 150 years of market leadership, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to perform – so there’s your open door of opportunity. It’s all here for you at Kimberly-Clark.

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

About You

You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring. You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development.

You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results. When you join our team, you’ll experience Flex That Works: flexible (hybrid) work arrangements that empower you to have purposeful time in the office and partner with your leader to make flexibility work for both you and the business.

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center.

  To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

• Position requires knowledge and experience typically associated with a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in supply chain, engineering or related and 10+ years of related experience.

• Possess or working towards LSS Black Belt certification. 

• Have a desire to progress into future leadership roles within the regional supply chain team.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a high-speed industrial manufacturing environment/plant experience is preferred.

• Must have direct or indirect manufacturing/operations, supply chain and/or finance experience, as well as knowledge of organizational structure.

• The incumbent would typically have significant experience in Engineering, Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Reliability and be very familiar with the application of Lean, CI, OPEX, LSS tools and theory.

• Strong stakeholder management skills are required to effectively articulate project status and influence leaders throughout the organization up to the VP level.

• Possesses strong understanding of the broader business/organization and can relate and connect the CI and Capabilities organization to it.

• Incumbent would possess demonstrated ability to organize and lead multi-functional teams and foster a proactive team environment.

• Interpersonal and communication skills to motivate, empower, train, and coach a diverse group of team members.

• Willing to challenge the status quo and facilitate different perspectives to drive solutions.

• Experience with developing vision and strategy, demonstrated problem-solving mindset, strong project management skills, and proficiency with MS Suite are highly desired.

• Experience in multiple mills, product systems and staff experience, leadership of both exempt and non-exempt workforces are highly desired.

• Strong understanding of Adult Learning processes, Lean, CI and LSS thinking, systems and tools is highly desired.

• Experience in change management in large, complex organizations in addition to coaching and mentoring at all levels to drive collaboration across teams and functions is highly desired.

Work Environment:

• Normal scheduled hours may vary based on the need to support 24/7 operations.

• Travel is expected be in the 75% range with heavy onsite plant support within region. Some individuals may require minimal travel if projects are located at their local site.

• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment. Some shift work could be required based on the need to interact with operating teams.

US Grade 08

Total Benefits

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see .

Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions. Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.

Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.

Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

To Be Considered
Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.

In the meantime, please check out the careers website .

And finally, the fine print….

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world. We actively seek to build a workforce that reflects the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate for the role. The benefits provided will be per the terms of Kimberly-Clark’s applicable mobility policies. The benefits/policy provided will decided in Kimberly-Clark’s sole discretion

Salary Range: 127,600 – 157,600 USD

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only.

Primary Location

Mobile Mill

Additional Locations

LaGrange Mill, Maumelle Facility, Paris Plant, Roswell Building 300, USA-AR-Maumelle, USA-GA-Atlanta-Roswell, USA-GA-LaGrange, USA-TX-Paris

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time