Associate Technical Support Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide the necessary leadership, training, resources for continuous improvement and environmental, health and safety skills to the plant to achieve optimal levels of safety, quality, productivity and delivery to assure internal and external customer satisfaction.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direction and leadership consistent with plant business goals as a member of the plant Leadership Team.
• Support the Company’s mission, vision, values and goals in the performance of daily activities.
• Possesses knowledge of financial considerations when evaluating Continuous Improvement initiatives including capital, rate of return and operating income impact.
• Primary owner for meeting the assignable plant productivity task utilizing other members of plant leadership team in the attainment of established goal.
• Champion the identification of Continuous Improvement initiatives as a primary job function to meet plant task.
• Prioritize Continuous Improvement activities based upon financial impact, availability of resources and timing concerns.
• Lead Continuous Improvement Standard Work and Kaizen events focusing on cost reductions and efficiency improvements while training peer staff to recognize Continuous Improvement opportunities in plant through the usage of workshops.
• Review and measure manufacturing methods, technology application and workflow processes and apply lean/continuous improvement application skills.
• Responsible for working with the leadership team to plan, execute, monitor and continuously improve plant and corporate objectives.
• Provide support and guidance to all departments in the application of lean/continuous improvement manufacturing techniques.
• Direct and drive the utilization of problem solving methods for related plant and customer issues.
• Assist, as required, plant activities to achieve customer cost reductions goals.
• Focal person for local plant associates to share improvement opportunities.
• Conduct town hall meetings to share plant performance metrics and conduct local sessions to seek out new opportunities for improvement.
• Provide active leadership role in meeting / exceeding customer expectations in all related areas.
• Responsible for performance feedback and leadership of all direct reports including mentoring, coaching, counseling and corrective action when situations dictate.
• Manage and drive all plant environmental, health and safety compliance and management system functions and activities. Maintain communications with Corporate Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) associates.
• Using data analysis methods; develop and maintain annual strategic improvement plans targeted at driving safety performance and achieving leading indicator goals established by AUTOKINITON Leadership.
• Responsible for production processes including: manpower planning, engineering standards, performance metrics, capacity planning and analysis, and new model launch consideration.
• Advise the Plant Manager and other functional group Managers as a member of the plant Leadership Team.
• Provide prioritized direction and leadership to ensure a safe work environment for all associates consistent with AUTOKINITON’s business plan objectives while assisting senior plant leadership in defining and communicating clear responsibilities for environmental, health and safety performance requirements. Support the plant process for holding associates accountable for their performance.
• Support and maintain plant wide high standards for 6s.
• Minimize safety incidents through implementation of proactive and innovative programs.
• Develop and lead initiatives to assess and minimize workplace risks and work with Supervisors, Managers and associates to integrate EH&S into daily work activities.
• Systematically develop and implement strategic efforts to reduce work related injuries and illnesses (e.g. ergonomic process, layered process auditing, behavior based safety process)
• Develop and deliver training and/or training tools on all relevant internal EH&S initiatives and regulatory requirements including but not limited to lockout, confined space, heat stress, and hearing conservation.
• Provides assistance and guidance to plant supervision to identify and correct workplace hazards consistent with company and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, conduct and/or manage EH&S management system and compliance audits of company facility to ensure compliance with internal requirements as well as Federal, state, and local health and safety regulations
• Support the plant’s layered process audit system and participate is such audits.
• Support the corporate EH&S audit process by participating in plant EH&S audits at other AUTOKINITON North American Operations.
• Responsible for organizing and supporting the plant safety committee.
• Ensure compliance with all company and federal/state/local environmental and safety programs, industrial hygiene practices, policies, and procedures through inspections, investigations, training & development.
• Continually improve safety and environmental programs, maintain industrial hygiene practices, improve policies, and procedures through inspections, investigations, training & development.
• Maintains records on regulatory and non-regulatory health and safety inspections and correspondences. Responsible for completing OSHA recordkeeping requirements and federal/state mandated filings.
• Lead environmental compliance activities including, but not limited to: compiling emissions inventories, assisting in preparing and submitting permit certifications and other required compliance reports, permit applications, preparation and strategy, organizing and participating in emissions monitoring activities, reviewing and reporting emissions data, general training, coordinating responses to regulatory agency requests and enforcement actions with Corporate EH&S. Interface with federal, state, and local environmental agencies on plant EH&S issues.
• Lead the ISO 14000 process and enhance the environmental management system to drive environmental stewardship initiatives through implementation of recycling and pollution prevention projects
• Guide and lead activities to implement change in design of machinery and equipment and work methods to provide for ergonomic improvements for the operators.
• Assist supervisors and associates in preparing incident reports, in the identification of root causes and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Work with Supervisors, Managers and associates to integrate EHS into daily work activities.
• Train managers, supervisors and associates in preparing incident reports, identification of root causes and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Coordinate and/or support the injury management process including, but not limited to, incident investigation, medical management, return to work and workers' compensation claims management.
• Assist with plant activities towards achieving customer awards and Quality registrations (ex. TS 16949/ISO14001, Pentastar)
• Responsible for ensuring the entire team has the necessary tools and materials to properly perform their roles safely and efficiently.
• Comply and oversee compliance with all internal and OSHA required safety procedures in the performance of daily activities.
• Assure all salaried and hourly associates are aware of their Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) responsibilities and in conjunction with supervision hold all associates accountable.
• Assign clear responsibilities for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and hold all plant associates accountable for enforcement.
• Assure all safety devices are properly in place and utilized and verify individual usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) by all the work team.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with all levels of the organization.
• Support and maintain plant wide high standard’s for housekeeping.
• Adherence to all company policies and procedures (ex. Quality Policy Manual, Associate Handbook, Level II procedures, etc.)

RELATIONSHIPS/CONTACTS

Reports directly to the Plant Manager as a member of the plant Leadership Team.  Interfaces on a frequent basis with all plant salaried and hourly associates and corporate EH&S Area Manager and Director.

LEADERSHIP/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides leadership, supervises continuous improvement and EH&S issues to associates in the plant.
• Ability to identify, select, train and coach management talent.
• Provides model behavior to demonstrate corporate values.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in a safety related field, environmental science, or business related field required and/or Manufacturing, engineering or quality experience required. Master’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of six (6) or more years’ experience in a similar role within a plant manufacturing environment and two (2) years of management experience.
• Six-sigma black or green belt preferred.
• Possess knowledge of plant department functions and corresponding roles and interactions to facilitate overall plant synergy.
• Vision and ability to translate progressive operating techniques into applications and results.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to mentor and teach the team effective problem solving methods.
• Demonstrated experience in applying lean manufacturing concepts.
• Safety related, or Environmental Professional Certification preferred.
• Specific knowledge in several environmental, health and safety processes and practices (OSHA) and state requirements, ergonomics, ISO 14001, etc.) Solid background in ergonomics
• Experience with wastewater processing a plus.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Strong problem resolution skills, along with customer service and team orientation skills.
• Proven leadership ability and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software and ability to learn internal computer systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Duties include but are not limited to: stand, walk, twist, bend, lift, see, talk and hear.  Ability to travel.  Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, vibration and hazardous materials.

Required Skills Required Experience