CI Engineer

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

The Continuous Improvement Engineer II is responsible for driving the development and execution of Continuous Improvement initiatives (AO Smith Operating Systems) aimed at optimizing business operations, and the advancement of a culture of continuous improvement by supporting the adoption and consistent application of AOSos throughout the organization. This role is key in identifying opportunities to enhance processes, improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost reduction, all in alignment with organizational objectives.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to drive process and system improvements that align with the company's goals and values. They can communicate complex ideas and improvement strategies in a clear and engaging manner to ensure buy-in and facilitate successful collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects, utilizing basic and advanced CI tools to optimize workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance productivity across production processes.
• Monitor, collect and analyze production and process data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities. Recommend and implement solutions to reduce time, waste, and costs while improving efficiency.
• Develop and maintain process maps.  Support front line teams in their development and deployment of standards including job instructions.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions, Kaizen events, and workshops to address operational challenges, applying root cause analysis (RCA) and Lean methodologies to eliminate waste and enhance processes.
• Design and implement measurement systems, including KPIs, to track and evaluate the effectiveness of process improvements and sustainability.
• Train and mentor team members on continuous improvement tools and methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and empowering staff in executing and leading improvement activities.
• Monitor and manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, collaborating with teams to resolve issues, ensure effective communication, and meet project objectives.
• Prepare and present detailed reports on project outcomes, recommendations, and progress to stakeholders and site leadership.
• Maintain comprehensive records of improvement activities, ensuring transparency and facilitating knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Collaborate with IT and systems teams to support appropriate technology solutions to adopt innovation in business processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or Related Field
• 3 years’ experience in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, etc.
• Intermediate understanding of Lean, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Proficient in problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Certified AOSos Problem Solver or equivalent external certification.  Ability to coach problem-solving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and process analysis tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, interpret, ensuring the integrity of the data, and present data effectively.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effectively communicates by adapting to diverse audiences, clearly conveying complex ideas, actively listening, and fostering collaboration to build strong relationships within and across teams.
• Growth Mindset – Seeks development opportunities, builds knowledge and skills, shows humility, and shares expertise with others.
• Moderate Project management skills
• Lead and Facilitates meetings, group discussions, and improvement activities by encouraging participation, maintaining focus on goals, and guiding teams toward collaborative and actionable solutions.
• Business Acumen: Understands the business impact of decisions and aligns actions with organizational goals to drive results, identify opportunities for cost savings while working within budget, and optimizes resources to drive business objectives.
• Results Focus: Delivers consistent results by prioritizing tasks, taking initiative, and supporting team members through changes while maintaining a proactive approach.
• Integrity, Ethics, and Values: Builds trust through consistent honesty and reliability, upholds organizational values, and contributes to a positive work culture. Embraces innovation and continuous improvement in daily tasks

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Trainer certification in Problem Solving methodology.
• Experience with tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar design software.
• Experience in process mapping software (e.g., Visio).
• Exposure to statistical analysis tools (e.g., Minitab) or data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Knowledge of ISO standards, quality management systems, or regulatory compliance.
• Lean Certification (Through Shingo/AME/SME).
• Exposure to company's profit and loss (P&L)/budget statement to validated financial savings.

Education

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.
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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.