Focus Improvement Specialist - Lebanon, TN Onsite

This is a critical role for NA Royal Canin to deliver commitments of sustainable growth.  The incumbent in this role will need to collaborate across multiple sites and functions (i.e. R&D, Q&FS, S&F, Manufacturing, and Engineering) in order to diagnose, analyze and drive reduction in overall PCC, specially in the area of NQC.  

The successful incumbent will need to demonstrate key strengths in influencing without authority at all levels of the organization and negotiation skills to deliver sustainable change. The successful candidate will have strong problem solving and coaching skills, as well as a strong drive for results.

What are we looking for?

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent level of education), or direct manufacturing experience in lieu of a degree.
• 2 years of hands-on experience working directly within a manufacturing site.
• Proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships and proactively manage a busy, shifting workload.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25% to support other manufacturing sites and participate in hands-on training.
• Functional knowledge of factory operations, including Data Collection and Value Stream Mapping.
• Solid understanding of site waste reporting, including QFS (Quality & Food Safety) costs, variance, and floor scrap.

Preferred:

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills to navigate complex challenges across multiple functions.
• A natural ability to motivate, engage, and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
•  Demonstrated training and practical application in a variety of Problem-Solving Methodologies (e.g., Lean, TPM, Root Cause Analysis).
• Working knowledge of SPC (Statistical Process Control), production reporting systems, and how they impact NQC (Non-Quality Cost) and PCC (Prime Cost of Control).
• Experience working in relationship-based team environment
• Certified in Problem Solving Methodologies or similar, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt or actively working towards completion

What will be your key responsibilities?  

• Utilize loss analysis methodology and site loss trees to identify, prioritize and execute PCC savings projects across Royal Canin North America Sites

• Work with Site Industrial Engineer, Area Owners and Operational Leads to make losses visible and deliver the organizational capability to eliminate them.  This includes building the problem-solving capability and the process to manage focused improvement initiative with cross-functional teams across the organization. 

• Provide leadership to deploy best practices and Regional initiatives

• Use tools available such as RCLMS, Scrap and Rework tracking systems and “Go and See” to understand contributing factors for NQC and make recommendations to improve/change.

• Work directly with and coach multiple site resources to use data-based problem-solving methodologies to reduce NQC and potentially other costs and ensure problems are resolved to root cause.

• Help the organization by coaching associates at various levels and coordinate resources across multiple sites to deliver DiB in PCC improvements

• Ensure control methodologies and processes are embedded to prevent re-occurrence.

• Willingness to spend up to 75% of time on the manufacturing floor diagnosing, analyzing, and establishing best-in-class processes, including off shifts

What can you expect from Mars?  

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.  

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. 

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. 

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. 

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