Enterprise Excellence Manager

Role Overview

Our Corporate Enterprise Excellence Team is based out of our MetroCenter office in Nashville, Tennessee.  We are looking to add an Enterprise Excellence Manager that will use coaching skills, teaching skills, and effective communication to support the implementation of the A. O. Smith Operating System.  The A. O. Smith Operating System encompasses the philosophies, lean tools, and managerial behaviors to drive a highly engaged culture of people innovating or solving problems every day.  

This position will specifically be responsible for implementation activities occurring within a business unit or specific function and integrating with corporate and cross-divisional Operating System activities.  The Enterprise Excellence Manager will primarily be the Lean teacher, coach, and mentor for the BU/functional leadership and business resources.  In addition, the Enterprise Excellence Manager will have responsibility for the coordination of the transformation of the identified business unit/function to fully utilize the A. O. Smith Operating System.

We Offer

This position offers the chance to be part of something truly exceptional. A. O. Smith is taking a people-centric approach to their Lean transformation and this position affords the opportunity to join a team whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people.

Competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, 401k plan with company match plus year-end company contribution, short- and long-term disability programs, tuition assistance, and training and development options.  Relocation assistance is provided for this role.  This role is eligible for a remote work schedule of up to two days remote work per week.  New employees are eligible to apply after successfully completing their initial 90 days of employment and training.

Lean Teacher, Coach, & Mentor

• Serve as a teacher, coach, and mentor of business leadership on how to effectively participate in and emulate the behavior of the A.O. Smith Operating System.  Prepare business leaders for Lean transformation.  Bridge gaps between knowledge and skills to support leaders in their learning activities.
• Responsible for CI employees’ development and training.  (These are employees embedded in the business who are responsible for coaching and leading lean events within their functional areas.)  Assesses gaps in CI skills and knowledge and works with the person’s manager and appropriate support services (Corporate Training Group, External training services, etc.) to orchestrate training and experiences to increase their technical capability and leadership skills. 
• Work with HR leadership to define/hone training plans and development schedule for functional area leadership, members of the local CI Organization, targeted employees, and employees at-large.  Coach to ensure that appropriate time is allocated and planned for their professional skill development.  Work with business leaders to ensure they understand the expected proficiency achievement and business impact of training and development events/ activities.
• Coach/Teach targeted employees though Kaizen events and one-on-one coaching sessions, as required, to facilitate their development. Work closely with project/improvement teams to ensure that they have all the training and support needed to be successful.  Coordinate improvement events across single site or multiple locations, as business needs dictate

Coordinate Execution of A. O. Smith Operating System Adoption

• Work with the local CI Leaders to tweak the A. O. Smith Operating System implementation roadmap as needed based on the culture and knowledge of the local organization.
• Lead the conducting of “Lean Maturity” Assessments and development of improvement paths based on results and business needs
• Audit and participate in events to ensure that the A.O. Smith Operating System protocols are understood, being followed, and standard methods are used.  Serve as conduit between the Enterprise Excellence Office and local leadership to continually improve those protocols based on real-world application experienced during implementation.
• Work with the local CI leadership to advertise and communicate improvement events and their results within the business units and across the broader A. O. Smith Organization
• Utilize corporate social networking tools to engage in a “community of practice” for lean practitioners within A.O. Smith

Training Curriculum and Content

• Assist in designing lean training curriculum, including experiences and kaizen participation, for multiple segments of the organization
• Provide input to develop content for Lean tools training that will be used across the company.  This includes presentation materials, trainer handbooks, and simulation/game creation, and leveraging Success Factors LMS for training content management.
• Be intimately familiar with available Lean Training Resources (Online tools, established presentations, videos, and simulations) to be able to recommend or facilitate, as needed.
• Identify areas that require outside expertise to develop onsite skills that are currently missing.   Participate in the selection of those outside resources with the Enterprise Excellence Office and Corporate Training Group.
• Assist in creating and managing company CI documentation governance and use standards.

Strategic Planning

• Facilitate strategic planning sessions for business units or functions.  Provide guidance on how lean tools can be used effectively to support business objectives.
• Provide input on A. O. Smith organizational strategies, implementation strategies, and process development in regard to Enterprise Excellence applications

Additional Interaction

• Actively participate in the Enterprise Excellence Community of Practice including CI Summits and monthly learning activities (calls, webinars, book club, etc.).
• Provide input on A.O. Smith Operating System organizational strategies, implementation strategies, and process development
• Actively participate in tweaking/ adjusting A. O. Smith Operating System implementation roadmap to create and continuously improve our implementation standards.
• Actively participate in own personal development opportunity identification and propose activities/events for own skill improvement in collaboration with the organization’s continued development of Lean tools and philosophies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 8 years’ experience implementing lean tools and thinking in manufacturing or transactional environments
• Increasing levels of responsibility over the course of career
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team, document improvement results, and effectively communicate those results
• Demonstrated ability to coach a client and provide a psychology safe space for them to develop
• 35 - 60% travel, primarily to A. O. Smith U.S. sites; travel to A. O. Smith International sites may be required

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean/Six-sigma certifications are a plus, but not required
• Coaching certification is a plus, but not required
• Masters’ Degree a plus, but not required 

About A. O. Smith

Founded in 1874, A. O. Smith (NYSE: AOS) is a global water technology leader,  a $3.8 billion company with approximately 12,000 employees with sales and distribution in more than 60 countries.  We are one of the world's leading manufactures 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 committed to continuous improvement, not just in its factories and its processes, but in its people.