Sr. Manager CI

DRIVEN BY POSSIBILITY

Gates Corporation is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. At Gates, we are driven to push the boundaries of materials science to engineer products that continually exceed expectations.

We don't rest on our rich heritage of innovation. We leverage it to inspire solutions that will power the next hundred years. We invest continually in R&D and technology, so our products not only outperform industry standards; they exceed our customers demanding expectations. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow. And we are constantly expanding our product catalog and value-added service offerings to support every facet of our customers operations. In the most extreme environments and those more familiar, Gates is there with the right product, in the right place at the right time. Whether building original equipment or maintaining products in the aftermarket, we enable companies in every industry to be more efficient, productive, and profitable. We are Gates.

Position Summary

We are searching for Sr. Manager CI who possesses the operational and leadership skills to operate effectively in a matrix environment and have confidence in driving aggressive growth plans. The person should have a consultative and collaborative style, proven track record / achievement. We are only short-listing driven, resilient, enterprising, agile and motivated individuals who want to be part of a growing company.

THE ROLE

The Continuous Improvement Sr. Manager is responsible for driving process, excellence and operational efficiency across the organization. This role leads Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance productivity. The CI manager will analyze performance data, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions in collaboration with cross-functional teams. This role will coach and train employees in continuous improvement tools and methodologies. The role also ensures standardization of best practices and alignment of improvement initiatives with organizational goals. Also make the strategies and actions plans to achieve the organizational goals together with global functional leaders (i.e. Innovation, Operations, Finance, HR, IT and Supply Chain) to achieve overall organization's objectives. In addition, this role would have to liaise with multi-discipline team including support functions, to delight our Internal and External stakeholders.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned beyond the core functions listed below.

The responsibilities of the role are to implement the required action plan, in enhancing organizational performance by systematically improving processes, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The role in analyzing data, identifying gaps, and implementing sustainable solutions and closely work with cross-functional teams to embed a culture of continuous improvement and strive to reduce operations cost. The manager also trains and coaches employees on improvement tools and methodologies. Goal of CI Manager is to align improvement efforts with business objectives and customer satisfaction.

The assigned territories include Fluid Power businesses in Lalru India. The specific responsibilities will fall into three primary areas:

Maximum 3 pointers per accountability

Accountability #1: Customer (Internal / External Stakeholders)

• Identify inefficiencies, waste, and bottlenecks in processes
• Map and analyze workflows using tools like SIPOC, VSM, and process mapping
• Design and implement improved processes
• Lead Lean, Kaizen, and Six Sigma initiatives
• Apply tools such as 5S, PDCA, DMAIC, root cause analysis, and FMEA
• Reduce defects, variation, and operational costs
  
  

Accountability #2: Process / Performance

• Define and track KPIs and performance metrics
• Use data analysis to measure improvement impact
• Ensure improvements are sustainable and measurable
• Establish CI frameworks, standards, and best practices
• Document and standardize improved processes
• Ensure alignment with business strategy and compliance requirements
  
  

Accountability #3: People

• Drive cultural change toward continuous improvement
• Engage stakeholders and manage resistance
• Communicate improvement goals and progress clearly
• Lead and facilitate improvement projects across departments
• Collaborate with operations, quality, supply chain, finance, and HR
• Coach teams and CI champions
• Train employees in CI tools and methodologies
• Develop internal CI capability and problem-solving skills
• Mentor Green Belts / Yellow Belts (where applicable)
• Ensure Total employee Involvement in CI through Suggestion/Ideas.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Independently applies extensive and diversified knowledge of principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields.
• Uses advanced techniques in the modification or extension of theories and practices of sciences and disciplines to complete assignments.
• Works on a major project or several projects of moderate scope with complex features.
• Reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.
• Develops new techniques and/or improved processes, materials, or products.
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services
• Impacts the achievement of customer, operational, project or service objectives; work is guided by department objectives
• Communicates complex concepts; anticipates potential objections and influences others to adopt a different point of view
  
  

Keys to Success

• Requires in-depth conceptual and practical knowledge in own areas and knowledge of other areas
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None
• Leads others to solve complex problems; uses analytical thinking, tools and judgement to identify innovative solutions
• Assists upper level management and staff as a technical specialist or advisor
• May lead teams or projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity
  
  

Requirements And Preferred Skills

• 8-10 years of experience
  
  

Keys To Success

• Lead with an outside in mindset to place customers in the center of everything we do.
• Exemplify Gates ethics and core values to develop talents with right skills, knowledge and behavior,
• Advocate reward for performance to drive accountability for sustainable growth
• Design a contemporary and innovative learning environment to attract diverse talent pool.
  
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent reports to Plant Manager & operate as an individual contributor.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS/ QUALIFICATIONS & PREFERRED SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This person must have at least 10 years experience in operational activities in the assigned countries or region.

• BE/ BTech/M. Tech in Engineering (Mechanical/ Production)
• 10-15 years experience in auto/auto ancillary or similar manufacturing operations or industrial rubber industry.
  
  

Required Skills

• Extensive knowledge and practical application of Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques, such as VSM, Kaizen, Kanban, Error-Proofing, TPM, SMED, SPC and 5-S.
• Expert in Problem-solving and process optimization through statistical tools and techniques.
• Exposure to IE techniques preferably in Work measurement, Material Flow, Layout and Resource optimization.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black belt with experience in implementing Lean Six sigma projects.
• Proven experience in implementing MES / IoT / Digitalization / AI projects.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Good communication skills, Knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Excellent business ethics and integrity
• Strong team player, proactively able to step in to support other team members as needed and share knowledge to allow cross training of all functions, builds collaborative relationships.
• Familiarity with ISO, IATF, or other relevant quality standards.
• Project management
• Change management
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (travel, etc)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee requires to travel domestically and international based on business requirements.

We are firmly committed to the equitable treatment of all our employees and qualified applicants for employment. Equal opportunity in all aspects of employment is one of our firmest and most basic beliefs and we will not tolerate any illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation. The Company will not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation or any other protected class.

Please be advised that Gates Corporation does not accept resumes from third-party recruiters.