SMS Area Lead- Support Functions

Role Summary

SMS Area Lead- Support Functions — Continuous Improvement Specialist focusing on Quality, Supply Chain, and Support areas, located in Swiftwater, PA. Responsible for leading OPEX activities within specific departments/PCUs, driving SMS 2.0 practices, and coaching CI teams to achieve performance targets.

Responsibilities

• Being the OPEX representative for a specific department(s) and/or Process Centric Units (PCUs).
• Support the deployment and maturation of SMS 2.0 operating standards as defined in respective ecosystems.
• Ensure milestone adherence for SMS area‚Äôs roadmap.
• Support the assigned area with performance measurement, analysis, reporting, and corrective/preventive action undefined.
• Drive continuous improvement for the assigned SMS 2.0 areas as the Level 2 CI Specialist.
• Provide coaching and guidance to Level 1 CI specialists to assure CI loop is delivering the desired performance and aligned with the SMS 2.0 CI pillar standard.
• Participate in the identification and prioritization of performance improvement initiatives on the shop floor.
• Lead problem-solving sessions leveraging SMS tools as Gemba Problem Solving (GPS3); serve as GPS3 onsite expert to lead critical investigations.
• Provide GPS3 training in support of SMS Upskilling Lead; coach departments/PCUs during investigations to establish embedded, self-sufficient GPS3 ways of working.
• Being the OPEX method and training referent for the area and supporting M&S network (e.g., Maturity Assessment execution, SMS Trainer).
• Contribute to the SMS training program by being a certified trainer and defining/supporting the SMS upskilling plan for the specific area.
• Coordinate the preparation and execution of Maturity Assessments with the PCU, SMS Program Lead, and visiting Assessors.
• Manage performance for the specific area supported with expert knowledge of SMS Standards.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor‚Äôs degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related field, with 3+ years of experience in continuous improvement, manufacturing operations, or a related area, or 9+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
  • Strong knowledge and practical application of continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, CI, Manufacturing Excellence, SMS).
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor‚Äôs degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related field, with 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations or operational excellence roles.
  • SMS Intermediate certification or equivalent Lean and/or Six Sigma certification from a recognized organization (e.g., AME, ASQ, LEI, LSSI).
  • Proven experience applying continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, CI, Manufacturing Excellence, SMS, or similar framework.

Skills

• Continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, SMS) applied to manufacturing operations.
• Problem solving and GPS3 facilitation.
• Training and coaching in CI tools and processes.
• Ability to manage performance metrics and drive corrective actions.
• Experience coordinating Maturity Assessments and SMS-related training activities.

Education

• As listed in Qualifications above (Bachelor‚Äôs degree required or equivalent experience).

Additional Requirements

• Travel expectations are not specified in the provided content and should be added if relevant.