Associate Manager, Focus Improvement

Role Purpose
The Focus Improvement Associate Manager leads the end-to-end capability agenda for the factory while driving loss elimination and performance improvement on the shop floor. This role will lead all training initiatives to develop curriculum and ensure training effectiveness through company assigned metrics.  This individual will apply UMS / Focused Improvement (FI) methodology to eliminate defects, waste, and losses across Safety, Quality, Cost Deployment, Customer Service, and Logistics.

Key Responsibilities

Training Strategy & Execution

• Develop and maintain curricula, reference guides, instructor/participant guides, job aids, and train-the-trainer toolkits.
• Lead monthly training per the training matrix and maintain qualification standards.
• Propose development programs aligned with site priorities.
• Manage training budget and optimize spend.
• Improve course content and delivery based on feedback.
• Communicate training events and resources.
• Conduct follow-up studies to measure training effectiveness.
• Build e-learning modules; Adobe Captivate skills a plus.

Focused Improvement (UMS) & Loss Elimination

• Lead or support Focused Improvement (FI) activities by guiding teams through phenomena identification, root cause confirmation, countermeasure development, and verification of effectiveness. 
• Partner closely with production, quality, safety, and engineering teams to analyze losses and translate findings into targeted training, improved standards, and operator capability building.
• Lead or support Focused Improvement (FI) activities by guiding teams through phenomena identification, root cause confirmation, countermeasure development, and verification of effectiveness. 
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops to drive performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Productivity.
• Partner with pillar leads to target zero defects, waste, and losses.
• Improve line stability and output across work centers.
• Coach teams in abnormality tagging, standard work, and escalation.

People Leadership & Engagement

• Lead and develop the trainer community.
• Collaborate with line leaders to plan training and FI activities.
• Facilitate workshops and drive a learning culture that delivers results

Metrics & Sustainment

• Define KPIs for training effectiveness.
• Track FI impact (OEE, scrap, defects, stops, etc.).
• Conduct audits and ensure sustainment of standards.
• Align to Site Metrics to drive results through FI

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related training discipline.
• 5+ years of related work experience in manufacturing environment leading OpEx initiatives.
• Must demonstrate a flair for improvement in engineering and technical skills.
• 2+ years of related work experience (WCM/TPM principles), Six Sigma, confident in applying problem solving tools (5W+1H, 4M, 5 Whys) in manufacturing setting.
• Attention to detail, bias for action, accountability, written and verbal communication skills, data collection and analysis, problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, and judgement.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.  

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.  

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.  

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

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