Yamaha has an excellent opportunity for a Division Manager- Manufacturing Excellenceto join our Marine team in Kennesaw, GA.  This position supports and leads the development and implementation of manufacturing process improvements and best practices across the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS) Marine Division’s 7+ manufacturing locations. These initiatives drive incremental improvements in productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost. This position helps identify opportunities for significant improvement by working with operations, engineering, sales, and supply chain teams to identify improvement initiatives and/or capital investment to reduce manufactured costs while driving profitability and competitive advantage. The Division Manager of Operational Excellence should be self-motivated and able to work effectively in a decentralized and matrixed team environment. The Division Manager of Operational Excellence will report directly to the Director of Manufacturing Support for the YMUS Marine Business Unit (MBU) and will work closely, on a dotted-line basis, with a cohort of Operations Managers and Manufacturing Engineers across the MBU to identify, implement, track, and manage change initiatives.

What you'll be doing:

• Work closely with manufacturing operations leadership to develop and execute operational improvement plans and strategies for profitability.
• Maintain and improve Operational Excellence mid to long term strategies.
• Oversee and lead a team of Operational Excellence plant support professionals.
• In coordination with local operations leaders, assist developing and promoting growth of our Manufacturing Engineering and Continuous Improvement functions.
• Identify, measure, document and share best practices across the MBU team, creating a collaborative network of operations leaders and Manufacturing Engineers, accelerating change and adoption of best practices.
• Lead plant improvement workshops to identify, diagnose and address bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production processes.
• Develop, evaluate, and improve production methods utilizing lean tools, knowledge of product design, materials and parts, tooling and production equipment capabilities, process methods, and quality control standards to reduced manufactured cost.
• Provide oversight and guidance, planning, training, and mentoring to plant-level teams implementing lean production methodologies and frameworks.
• Serve as change agent working collaboratively within and across departments, functions, and locations to help implement and sustain a culture of continuous improvement.
• Assist in the evaluation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to identify, quantify, and develop plans for manufacturing process improvement opportunities.
• Identify and assist in development of enhanced metrics and measurements to drive positive behavioral change and identify inefficiency in our manufacturing processes.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skill Requirements

• Must possess an unwavering commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and respect for people.
• Exhibit strong leadership skills with the ability to maintain a wide range of multi-site relationships at all levels of the organization utilizing influence, communication, facilitation, and presentation to effectively define and manage positive change.
• Possess a thorough understanding of lean management methodologies and practices with ability to assess, explain and deploy with a common-sense approach to plant teams to drive measurable improvements.
• Problem solver able to consistently think strategically, act with urgency, and promote our company culture of growth, continuous improvement, and respect for people.
• Travel up to 50% of the time.

What you need to be successful:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Management.
• 10+ years of operations management experience in progressive roles of leadership.
• 10+ years applying lean manufacturing methodologies to support continuous improvement in manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrable experience leading manufactured cost improvements at multiple locations in a geographically dispersed business, involving multiple projects, timelines, teams, and deliverables.
• Accredited Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, preferably Black Belt or Master Black Belt a plus.
• Experience working with the Society Manufacturing Engineers, the Association of Manufacturing Excellence, and the Shingo Institute a plus.
• Industry experience in Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP) and Aluminum boat building or related fields is a plus.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and underrepresented minorities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Yamaha, we understand that talent comes in various forms, as such we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.  If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

What’s in it for you: 

• 401(k) and Profit Sharing 
• Fertility Benefits 
• 37.5 hour work-week 
• Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Life and AD&D Insurance 
• Wellness Program 
• Short-Term Disability Coverage (for hourly roles) 
• Long-Term Disability 
• Student Debt Repayment Benefits 
• Ability to borrow Yamaha product 

Reports to:  Director of Manufacturing Support, Marine Business Unit

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

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