Adam Zak – Executive Leadership for the Lean Transformation

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Archive for Senior Executive

VP Operations + Lean Manufacturing Champion

By LeanThinker · Comments (0)
Monday, December 5th, 2011

Our client is a small (under $100 million) world-class, multi-national manufacturer  of specialty metal products.

Based in the Western United States, the company  designs and builds unique, custom solutions which are specifically engineered to individual customer order (high-mix, low-volume) and sold through multiple channels in the defense/military, aerospace, and industrial markets.  Primary operations are located in a major Mountain State metro area and the company also serves some of its international customers from a secondary European plant. Our client is owned by a U.S.-based private equity firm and is very well-positioned for substantial growth over the coming years.

The company’s seasoned management team believes strongly in Lean manufacturing which is at the core of the company’s operating philosophy. During the past three years our client has implemented continuous improvement principles and practices with strong support from all levels of the organization. Substantial progress has been made. However, in order to support the opportunity for market growth, the company still needs to address persistent service level issues in its manufacturing operations, and must also improve throughput capacity to meet rising demand volumes.

Reporting directly to the company’s President, the VP Operations will serve as strategic and tactical business partner and change agent on the company’s top leadership team. The VP Operations will participate in establishing (and delivering on) the organization’s strategic plans and critical success factors.

Why You Want this Position

  • Create an immediate, significant and highly-visible impact on the operations of a dynamic and rapidly evolving private industrial manufacturing company.
  • Imprint your creativity and passion on an already-world-class business by taking hands-on leadership role to improve strategy and tactical execution to support business requirements and results.
  • Drive the organization’s LEAN cultural transformation across all areas of operations based on your well-developed Toyota Production System (or derivative business system) experience.
  • Enjoy personal recognition for your achievements, and excellent financial rewards including equity participation in the company’s success.

Key Responsibilities

The VP Operations is responsible for all day-to-day operating functions including production control (scheduling and material), manufacturing engineering, production, quality, tool shop, maintenance and procurement. The VP  will lead these activities through department managers via effective planning, staffing, training, budgeting and prioritizing throughout the organization. Key peers include vice presidents of sales, engineering and finance, who form the core of the executive leadership team.

Factors which will be critical to the success of the person in this position :

  • Demonstrated track record in sustaining high service (on time delivery) and quality levels in a job shop mixed-mode manufacturing environment.
  • Direct experience in the successful execution of the production control function including deployment and utilization of advanced ERP and scheduling.
  • Previous sustained success in driving continuous improvement in a high variety / low volume manufacturing environment.
  • Expertise in improving product engineering/planning,  and process definition handoff to manufacturing. 

What You Bring to the Table

Strategic thinking and execution, with the experience and judgment to plan and accomplish operating objectives, within a job shop mixed-mode manufacturing environment, supported by…

  • Minimum of 10 years progressive, successful operations leadership, including direct management of both manufacturing and materials functions.
  • Extensive LEAN and/or Toyota Production System implementation experience.
  • Direct experience implementing advanced scheduling ERP in a job shop environment.
  • Excellent organizational, multi-tasking time management, problem-solving, communications and analytical skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and people management skills; strong team orientation; unrelenting work ethic; passion for leadership required to influence, drive and sustain culture change.
  • BS/BA degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering.

More 

Competitive executive compensation package includes base salary, incentive performance bonus, relocation assistance, and participation in executive equity pool distribution. 

Please connect directly with Adam Zak, Adam Zak Executive Search, who has been retained to conduct this executive search +1 (847) 304-5300

 

Please respond at  resume@LeanRecruiter.com     This position description has been posted at http://LeanJobsBlog.com.  Our main Web site is http://LeanRecruiter.com   You can also connect with Adam at http://twitter.com/LeanThinker or http://LinkedIn.com/in/adamzak…

 

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Categories : Category: Current Executive Openings - (listed in blog style format), Operations, Senior Executive
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Global Director – Program Management – Operations Management

By LeanThinker · Comments (0)
Friday, January 14th, 2011
Title Global Director, Program and Operations Management
Categories International, Lean Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Quality, Lean Supply Chain, Operational Excellence, Operations/Manufacturing, Senior Executive
Search Status Active
Client Name $500 million Global Specialty Textiles Manufacturer
Start Date Immediate
Location Wilmington, NC
Position Overview We’re looking for a truly unusually well-qualified executive with a unique set of skills:

  • Outstanding Continuous Improvement background (Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence…)
  • Hands-on experience in consolidating and integrating companies, business units, plants and operating facillities, on a global scale
  • Demonstrated, successful manufacturing, operations and supply chain expertise
  • Unparalleled, world-class Technical Program Management experience
  • A well-developed, almost innate sense for recognizing, attracting, developing and promoting high-potential talent…

If this is you, we should talk, and soon.  (Please note: while highly technical in nature, this is NOT an information technology (IT) position)
Position Detail It’s important for you to know that our client organization is about Lean Six Sigma in everything it does. Pursuit of perfection is the target.  They understand that conformity and consistency are critical to their customers.  Every associate is involved in the pursuit of quality and continually strives for excellence and ways to pass cost savings to the customer.  Manufacturing excellence is delivered through:  

  • Philosophy of Lean Enterprise
  • Focus on process efficiencies through Lean Six Sigma techniques
  • Real-time data for real-time decision making
  • Cost-down and cost-out culture throughout the organization

But none of this happense without the right talent on board. “Best people” is where it all begins. Our client’s commitment to quality, innovation, sales and service begins with their people (possible you?).  Attracting and retaining talent is key to the company’s success, and because they want only the best, they deliver exactly that in return:  competitive compensation, a healthy benefit package, additional opportunity for rewards, and always career growth possibilities.

Our client is a leading global Tier Two supplier to the automotive industry, as well as a supplier to USA broader industrial and medical markets.  With revenues of approximately $500 million and over 2500 employees worldwide, the company has three manufacturing facilities in the US, two in the UK, and one in France.  China is next.  A private company, our client is owned by a major New York-based private equity firm which also holds controlling or significant minority interests in companies around the world that generate over $60 billion in annual revenues. 

Key Responsibilities

Our client considers to be a senior level position which requires extensive, direct interaction with the top executive management team.  The Director of Program Management will establish and administer the comprehensive framework for all Program Management (PM) activities and provide leadership, direction and expert guidance in the development and enhancement of comprehensive PM systems and processes. The Director will oversee the selection and evaluation of PMO personnel, develop the strategic PMO plan, and drive the tactical implementation of that plan.  The Director will also provide leadership in linking corporate goals and business strategies to the deployment of sound PM practices, ensuring and measuring PMO organizational effectiveness.

We expect in every opportunity and challenge the Director undertakes, he or she will also drive consistent and sustainable continuous improvement (Lean) throughout the Program Management function.

Travel – We anticipate that both domestic and international travel will be an important component of this position; perhaps up to about 35% would be normal. As the pace of Asian activity picks up this may increase somewhat.

Compensation – Excellent base salary and incentive bonus plan. Comprehensive relocation assistance provided.

Connect with Us  -  Please connect with me in whatever way is most convenient for you. We share no information about you with anyone outside our firm until we’ve agreed on this with you. So email me directly, or just click on the “Apply” button below and fill out the short contact form.  We’ll be in touch as soon as we’ve had a chance to read your message.

Adam Zak, CEO  – Adam Zak Executive Search  +1 (847) 304-5301 direct

resume@LeanRecruiter.com     http://Twitter.com/LeanThinker     http://LeanTalent.com 
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Categories : Category: Inactive/Closed-Out Executive Searches, Operations, Senior Executive

VP Operations, Marvin Windows & Doors – Warroad, MN site

By LeanThinker · Comments (0)
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Vice President Operations

Marvin Windows & Doors

Four-Season Outdoor Paradise

Warroad, MN

  

Adam Zak helps connect exceptionally skilled Lean executives with companies that are truly committed to long-term Lean operations success. Adam’s hands-on approach to Lean executive recruiting helps his clients drive and sustain their Lean transformation, while helping executives find a new corporate home where they can create a direct, meaningful impact with their LEAN skills and expertise.

 

But sometimes, it’s not just about your skill at managing a certain number of people, your comfort level in a specific sized organization, or the depth and breadth of your LEAN expertise that’s important. Lifestyle and family values considerations are critical to long-term success, and small-town living is not for everyone.   And our client, Marvin Windows and Doors, would like this to be a successful match for you and for them, for the long term.

I’m conducting an executive search for an exceptionally talented Vice President, Operations, someone who can lead a business of over 2000 team members, 7 direct reports (2 plant managers, components & assembly; materials director; director technical services; quality manager; CI manager; manufacturing services manager), and manufacturing volume of $300 million+.  Someone who is a LEAN Leader and understands how to drive continuous improvement in a LEAN Enterprise. Read More→

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Categories : Category: Inactive/Closed-Out Executive Searches, Lean Expert, Operations, Senior Executive
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