Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Continuous Improvement - Essendant, Inc.

Primary Purpose

• The Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement is responsible for hiring, developing and managing the Region Continuous Improvement team in implementing Lean culture and methodologies across the Supply Chain. Primary focus will be in assisting the DCs in achieving Supply Chain’s strategic and operational business goals leading to the attainment of targeted financial and availability targets. Additionally, the Sr. Manager will develop initiatives to implement Lean thinking and concepts involving Inventory Management, Transportation and Engineering. Outcomes of Lean initiatives will be designed to have an impact upon Supply Chain’s short- and long-term goals of availability for our customers and/or partners with a significant impact on Supply Chain’s outcomes of inventory and cost productivity.
• The Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement will be experienced in Supply Chain field operations with specific expertise in managing DC operations, vendor relations and Corporate relationships. Additional experience in cross functional, business relationships and strategic planning. The Sr. Manager will have skills in leadership, project management, interpersonal relationships, communication and the ability to present compelling business cases for change. The Sr. Manager will lead change. With a team focus and a solution-seeking orientation, the Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement will provide planning, implementation and guidance on Supply Chain Lean initiatives.

  Major Responsibilities

• Sets financial, operational and quality objectives for the DC Lean program and develops operational plans.
• Develops budget for SC Lean programs and is responsible for delivering against business goals/objectives.
• Establishes “reduction of spend” targets for variable labor across DCs through productivity improvements.
• Develops methods and models to perform operational/process reviews at centers.
• Obtains and allocates resources to meet operating plans and ensures the ongoing training and development of direct reports.
• Develops and mentors staff through on-boarding, open communication, training and development opportunities and performance management processes; builds and maintains employee morale and motivation; ensures the team has appropriate staff with required competencies; fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Oversees team to ensure they are appropriately utilizing systems, developing and following standard work processes, completing required tasks accurately and within established deadlines.
• Monitors progress to goals and supports resolution of issues.
• Develops a “Leader as Teacher” model of developing next generation supply chain leaders in evaluating operations, comparing to standards, identifying gaps, developing action plans, and executing change management activities to improve operational performance.
• Maintains working knowledge of end-to-end supply chain components to prioritize critical and non-critical Lean continuous improvement activities.
• Utilizes knowledge to support analysis and develop recommendations based on business needs to ensure system uptime in order to accomplish stated goals.
• Responsible to developing Lean team’s knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Essendant core values of safety, integrity, process improvement, and customer satisfaction.
• The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

Quantitative Dimensions 

• LEAN is a process of continuous improvement. Through this process, quality is improved; productivity is increased with waste elimination; resulting in cost reduction. Job focus is not limited to current methods and procedures; the Sr. Manager must be aware of ever-changing methodologies that will provide improved processes, identification of key drivers, and achieve results that can be benchmarked with peer facilities as well as industry standards.

Skills/Knowledge Required

• Expertise in managing DC operations, vendor relations and Corporate relationships.
• Solid understanding of quality systems and continuous process improvement methodologies: Six Sigma, Lean Distribution, Statistical Process Control, TQM, ISO 9000, GMP, etc.
• Expertise in teaching, leading and facilitating continuous improvement or LEAN culture implementations.
• Expert knowledge in measurement, data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation to support decision making or change management.
• Demonstrated ability to support and teach the planning, development and implementation of unique and creative solutions to operational challenges.
• Strong ability to develop, lead, and work with cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to take strong and sometimes contrary positions when required.
• Strong time management skills and proven ability to meet aggressive timelines.
• Strong PC skills: Outlook, Access, Excel, PowerPoint
• Strong understanding of industry trends.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain, industrial & systems engineering, operations research or related field experience required.
• Master’s Degree in similar fields strongly preferred
• A minimum of 5-7 years of field experience in supply chain management or warehousing/manufacturing required; 10 years of experience preferred.
• Travel is required and may involve up to 25-50% of the associate’s time.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Manager