Continuous Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc.

Division of Astec Industries, Inc.

BUILT TO CONNECT

Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Continuous improvement (CI) Engineering Manager is responsible for leading an engineering team to complete well defined projects including custom designed products, product quality improvement, and technical support for customer service and procurement.

This position will focus on plants and systems for the aggregate industry that coordinate the design and layout of crushing and screening solutions into a fully defined working systems per customer specifications.

The preferred site location is in either Mequon, WI or Yankton, SD.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but not limited to)

• Supervise Quality Improvement Team (QIT) projects using D8 process
• Lead cost reduction efforts to add equipment value for our customers.
• Oversee equipment product improvements
• Manage custom engineered projects
• Assist Service with product support technical issues.
• Communicate with team members with designated one on one meetings
• Generate prioritized work resource plan.
• Implement Safety evaluations and improvements to the product line.

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Engineering
• Minimum five (5) years exp as an engineer for a heavy construction equipment product line
• Technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for heavy construction equipment.
• Experience working with engineering-type software programs such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ProE, Project Data Management (PDM) or any 3-D engineering software.
• Proficiency with personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite software applications

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Job-related Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work satisfactorily as a team member & communicate with all levels in the company
• Maintain positive, cooperative working relationships by working, interacting, and communicating with various personalities. This includes getting along with customers, vendors, co-workers, and management by working both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to develop and/or guide necessary computations such as load development, stress analysis, performance measurement, hydraulic circuit analysis, costing, etc. and interpret the results as necessary.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills (both verbal and written)
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to manage conflict, resolve issues in the most positive fashion for all parties concerned
• Ability to identify problems or potential problems at both a strategic and functional level.
• Ability to influence others via communication to get desired results.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment on a customary and regular basis
• Willingness to accept responsibility and take on new challenges
• Ability to author or comprehend high-level project scopes and requirements
• Ability to understand complex technical problems
• Good organization and time-management skills
• Follow and actively support all company policies and procedures, to include a primary emphasis on safe operations
• Follow Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity program guidelines at all times

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and effectively present information to customers and/or employees of organization and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public

Reasoning Ability Skills

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
• Must have strong analytical and troubleshooting skills

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Pre-employment drug screen, physical, and background check
• Flexibility to work additional hours as required
• Occasional travel (including international)
• Valid driver's license and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

PREFERENCES

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Welding, hydraulic and/or pneumatic experience
• Ability to accurately type 40+WPM

SAFETY

Astec is dedicated to a culture of Behavior Based SAFETY and a Healthy Environment

• Proficient in promoting safe and healthy work environment
• Notify area supervisor of product discrepancies or equipment malfunctions
• Adhere to established company policies & procedures paying special attention to safety regulations.
• Report defective materials, equipment, or questionable conditions to the area supervisor/manager to identify and correct the root cause
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with training guidelines

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position a minimum of 50% of the time, move and frequently operate a computer and other office equipment and occasionally properly employ objects, tools and/or controls. The employee is frequently required to communicate and exchange accurate information. The employee is regularly required to reach and occasionally attain non-standard physical positions for varying amounts of time. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The employee must regularly transport up to 10 pounds and occasionally transport up to 25 pounds. Lifting devices must be used or help must be requested for anything over 25 pounds. Required to occasionally ascend/descend, balance and work at various heights. Ability to travel by land and/or air for extended periods of time.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to a climate-controlled office environment and is occasionally exposed to a shop manufacturing environment.

Office environment exposures include frequent and extensive telephone and computer use. The noise level in the office setting is usually moderate consistent with an office environment.

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection.

Mines, road construction and forestry job site exposures include exposure to climate conditions indicative of the geographic location and the season. Field duties require that the employee work in close proximity to heavy roadbuilding and construction equipment (dump trucks, loaders, cranes, crushers, pavers, cold planers, material transfer vehicles, stabilizers, wheel loaders, excavators, skidders, feller buncher, chippers, grinders etc.) and traffic associated with mines, road construction, forestry and recycling sites.

The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, vibration and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in this environment is usually loud and may require hearing protection. The employee is occasionally exposed to travel hazards associated with automobile and/or airplane travel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.