General Manager Continuous Improvement

The Detmold Group is a leading manufacturer of specialised paper and board packaging products. From their first factory in Adelaide, the Detmold Group has now grown to 6 manufacturing locations and sales offices in 17 countries and employs around 3,000 people. Detmold supply to a diverse range of customers including some of the world's most iconic brands. We are a business that is proud of our People, Brand, and Products.
As **General Manager Continuous Improvement** this new role is responsible for the establishment, implementation and sustainability of the manufacturing excellence program for operations. Reporting to the Group General Manager Operations you will lead the program to drive continuous improvement, identify and promote best practice and optimise results. The scope of this role spans operations in 6 countries and includes a blend of strategic thinking and hands on execution. You will work with the operational leaders in each location, primarily Asia, to create alignment, a willingness to share and adopt best practice and drive improvement.
The major responsibilities of the role include:

- Establish and drive a portfolio of initiatives delivering change in line with targeted outcomes via the Manufacturing Excellence framework. Adopt approved techniques (such as 5S, VSM, LSW), and management systems for deployment.
- Develop sustainable solutions leading to measurable benefit and delivery of “business owned” project outcomes.
- Provide leadership to ensure a strong, positive culture with engagement across all levels of the business. This includes the development of capability for all plants encompassing people, process, and systems.
- Ensure that appropriate safety processes and methods are being utilised to drive a safety culture that protects and enhances the wellbeing of our people and the business.
- Establish metrics to monitor financial savings as measured against established goals and targets. Make prompt course corrections as required using PDCA methodologies.
- Teach and coach others to lead improvement efforts, including training on tools and processes for effective project leadership.
- Investigate, analyse, drive, and implement improvements to processes, productivity, and quality. Deliver on value, profit, and sustainability in an environment of cost management and service metrics.
- Work in a collaborative way with peers to drive improvements across the business, and to provide key input to group wide initiatives.

**Qualifications and Experience**:

- Bachelor’s degree in an Industrial or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
- 5+ years’ experience in implementing continuous improvement initiatives, FMCG or similar in addition to relevant experience in an operations related role.
- Knowledge and delivery of lean methodologies - Product & Information Flow, Material Flow, Waste Identification, Kanban, LEAN or Six Sigma
- Facilitation of change in a cross functional environment (e.g. Operations, Quality, R&D)
- Demonstrated ability to lead & manage timebound project deliverables
- Mentor & training of teams to implement lean behaviours and processes

**About you**:

- Have strong interpersonal skills and able to engage at all business levels
- Have demonstrated strategic capability
- Be goal orientated and results driven
- Adept at project implementation
- Are comfortable working hands on in a challenging environment
- Able to work autonomously & part of a team
- Able to engage, influence others and drive outcomes
- Excellent time & priority management skills

A background in packaging is not essential. FMCG and similar style manufacturing environments are highly relevant. The role will require international travel.

Employee safety is our priority, and we want our people to be 100% SAFE.