Operations/Continuous Improvement Manager

GATX Corporation, founded in 1898, is the leading global railcar lessor. Our full-service leasing business model, including a premier railcar maintenance network, differentiates us. One of 7 maintenance facilities across North America, our Terre Haute Repair Center provides a wide array of services, including repairing, qualifying, cleaning, and blasting railcars. GATX searches for extraordinary individuals who are creative, intuitive, driven, intellectually curious, and eager to join a dynamic organization where high-quality work, collaboration, and dedication are vital parts of our workplace culture!

The Operations/Continuous Improvement Manager will be responsible for identifying process optimization opportunities, managing small- and large-scale capital investment projects, and leading Continuous Improvement (CI) efforts supporting strategic initiatives at GATX’s railcar repair facility. This role will serve as a site CI champion and will play a key role in applying problem-solving discipline and Lean methods to GATX operations in order to improve the Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) components. The individual must be passionate about process transformation, operations management, strategy, and data-driven problem solving.

• Lead operations projects supporting strategic initiatives for the facility, as identified through goal deployment.

1. 1. Lead facility capital projects
   2. Hold vendors accountable to budget and deadlines
   3. Manage facility Maintenance employees
      1. Provides clear, proactive leadership to direct reports to create and foster a sense of urgency that embraces positive change.
      2. Develops, articulates and installs clear performance goals and measures, and provide timely feedback.
      3. Oversees training and development to ensure team has the requisite skills and certifications to achieve company goals.
      4. Develops and fosters a respectful and inclusive work environment.

• Lead Continuous Improvement projects supporting strategic initiatives for the facility, as identified through goal deployment.

1. 1. 5S implementation and sustainment through audits.
   2. Development and implementation of site-specific and network-wide Standard Work Instructions (SWIs).

• Lead Kaizen/Blitz activities to drive change with sustainable results. 

1. 1. Analyze data, identify and scope improvement opportunities
   2. Acquire cross functional involvement
   3. Develop ownership for results
   4. Responsible for establishing baseline and tracking/reporting realized improvement
   5. Ensure improvements are sustained

• Be the champion for Daily Visual Management (DVM) in the facility in the context of GATX’s “SQDC” management framework. Support/coach/lead DVM efforts across all work centers and all levels within the facility and ensure deep understanding and full adoption of SQDC.

Interaction:

The Operations/Continuous Improvement Manager interacts primarily with department managers, service center managers and shop floor personnel. Through these interactions, the person in this position embodies the Lean tenet of “Go See, Ask Why, Show Respect,” in order to gain the trust of colleagues and effectively lead positive change. The individual must be comfortable working with all levels within the organization and must be able to question the status quo. The incumbent must also be able to prepare, present, and defend recommendations and decisions to project sponsors and senior management.

Education and/or Experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, business or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an analytical role or facility management, preferably in Maintenance, Repair, Operations (MRO) or heavy industrial environment.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification preferred.
• Experience managing projects, preferably capital projects; Project Management certification is a plus.

 Key Competencies:

• Foster a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Develop and mentor employees
• Interpersonal savvy in change management and conflict resolution
• Analytical skills
• Coaching
• Influencing and persuading without having direct authority
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Travel requirements vary with assignments, 5-10% of the time across N. America