Careers

The Continuous Improvement Technician role is responsible for championing, developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge about related methodologies/ activities (Lean, Six Sigma, RCPS, Line Balancing, Performance Management, etc.) across all areas of the manufacturing site. The end-purpose is to improve through real results and key performance indicators (Safety, Quality, Cost, and inventories) of the site. The CI specialist is actively involved in setting up and establishing a support structure to develop CI capabilities and culture with guidance from Operations Excellence - thus acting as an agent for culture change. This role personifies Quality, Lean, and industry standard way of solving problems, making decisions and setting new higher standards.

Major Tasks and Responsibilities:

Develop and expand local capabilities in applying continuous improvement tools and methods (Lean, Six Sigma, RCPS) with a structured problem-solving approach. Inject passion for this activity by providing a vision and direction for the future development and performance of the site and its highly skilled craftsman.
Help develop, deploy and sustain the Semco Operations Excellence manufacturing program including a coaching support structure to drive CI initiatives and ensure sustainability of improvements.
Coach Advanced and Lead site and local team and give reinforcement training on selected topics.
Support and challenge the workforce and local team in direction setting, prioritization (timing, resources, and sequence of actions) and implementation of improvement activities to best achieve targets for key performance indicators of the annual site improvement plan.
Identify, validate, initiate and drive new improvement opportunities and promote the passion for excellence and delivering on commitments through creating value and eliminating waste.
Run own improvement projects delivering value to the organization of minimum 1 activity per quarter.
Actively participant in safety improvement with local management and engineering. Adhere to the Golden Principle which is Simply to intervene to stop work if conditions or behavior is unsafe.
Develop, conduct, and document process and system audits using visual procedures as audit
standards. Internal Quality and Operations Excellence Auditor.
Perform inspections, sampling procedures of incoming materials from suppliers, purchased parts and components used in manufacturing.
Accurately document the results of various operation quality inspections, kaizens, activities, etc.
Participate in the creation and/or revision of all Operations procedures.
Assist in writing and updating inspection procedures, protocol and checklists.
Evaluate problems and make initial recommendations for possible corrective action.
Work with production and quality management to provide feedback to assemblers regarding accuracy of assembly procedures.
Coordinate or participate in Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions for production, customer complaint, or warranty claim issue. Determine and establish “Effectiveness of Actions Taken” mechanism and report.

Description of Authority:

Support and lead local manufacturing site in fact-based decision making on all topics and overall owner of effective communication, enforcement, and drive of all Operational Excellence activities.

Major Organization Interfaces/Interactions:

Manufacturing Operations
Sales
Purchasing
Drafting

Position Qualifications:

Strong technical skills and the ability to assist in the development and operation of
quality control system.
Effective utilization of oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of specs and standards used in industry.
Practice effective project management skills.
Coordinate and facilitate group meetings, effectively working with internal customers and suppliers.
Successfully perform assignments, often with minimal supervision.

Education/Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent.
3-5 years of relevant work experience (operations, production, maintenance, logistics, (process) engineering, continuous improvement, etc.).
Previous experience with ISO 9001, preferred.
Proven experience in continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, RCPS, Quality tools, Kanban, etc.
Confident and experienced in coaching others.
Excellent communication, presentation and conflict resolution skills on all organizational levels; ability to gain respect and trust through situational leadership and integrity and inspire others to follow and participate in the change process.
Prior manufacturing supervision or team leader experience; knows how to use the skills and knowledge of the team to design and implement solutions.
Must have good English, written and verbal, and communication skills.
Working knowledge of measurement instruments.
Able to multi-task in high-pressure environments.
Experience in coaching and engaging others; able to impart knowledge to others.
Proficiency of Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.

Submit your application to hr.semco@flaktgroup.com

The FläktGroup SEMCO Air Quality Solutions product managers oversee and thought lead for their AQS product offering of the company. Product managers own the business strategy behind both new and current products, specify their functional requirements and generally establishes the list of deliverables for new product launches as well as new features and options. He/she often coordinates work done by many other functions and are ultimately responsible for the business success of their product line.

Responsibilities include:

Defines and sets the long-term vision, strategy and roadmap for AQS product lines to align with the division and corporate strategy and goals.
Drives the product and business-planning process across cross-functional teams of the company, including, but not limited to: new products, new features and options, new supplemental accessory items, and existing products continuous improvement efforts.
- Uses feedback/intel from research, market customers/influencers (e.g. third-party sales reps and mechanical engineers), Directors of Marketing, Sales, Contracts, Engineering, Research and Development and Operations, RSMs, pod team members, reviews product related support issues (warranty or otherwise), and inquiries from users to inform product refinements and ongoing development.
Communicates and obtains buy-in regarding the AQS product strategy to all relevant participants and stakeholders (e.g. Sales Directors, Engineers, RSMs, Applied Team, Third Party Sales Representatives, Production, Quality, etc.).
Tracks the established roadmap progress, writes scope documents to record opportunities and original positioning, refine new feature ideas and address existing feature hurdles to drive business goals.
Prioritizes product opportunities and manages established 3-year product plan priorities to minimize scope creep on that plan. Raises caution flag for executive approval when any division proposes/establishes new products or lines of products that are not included in the plan. Note: the company may choose to move forward with the alternative plans, but the product manager is the check and balance to the other divisions.
Provides what the market requirements are for all new product lines (e.g. warrantee needs, sales distribution channel requirements, etc.), industry association standards/requirements (e.g. ASHRAE standards), regulatory requirements (e.g. federal government building standards for HVAC in commercial buildings) and what the product requirements are (e.g. features, benefits, options).
Iterates with design and engineering teams on what can be achieved after given parameters have been passed to Research and Development (e.g. within ideal price, ideal margin, ideal feature and options).
Works with Research and Development, Production and Quality to establish production quality metrics, measurements and line poka-yokes to ensure quality products.
Works with external third parties to assess key component partnerships and finished goods licensing opportunities for product lines.
Ensures Research and Development standards are appropriately applied by inside sales team. Guides-decision making for market driven standards and makes standard suggestions to Research and Development for non-market driven modifications (e.g. redesign to cost suggestions). Conducts audits with inside sales to review standards are maintained.
Prepares launch events to coincide with shows or buying patterns.
Runs beta and pilot programs with early-stage products and samples.
Is educated and is an expert with respect to major competitors on all of his/her product lines—documents his/her findings for the organization annually. Establishes an annual review of competitive product offering.
Develops the core positioning and provides messaging direction for the AQS product lines and product specific. Liaises with advertising and public relations to promote product.
Performs product demos to customers and influencers in critical group settings (e.g. trade shows NOT standard sales calls).
Develops pricing strategies and product policies. Sets annual list pricing to meet revenue and profitability goals. List pricing establishes bottom of price range.
Reviews costing and raises concerns on component short fall.
Provides oversite on configure/price/quote performance, pricing, and other related sales tools.
Briefs and trains the RSMs, field service, inside sales, production engineering, production, and groups of third-party sales force representatives (e.g. at quarterly sales meetings, webinars, etc.).
Is up to date on broader economic impacts regarding product line components (e.g. tariffs effecting lines, international trade agreements, etc.).
Oversees the product line’s life cycle and anticipate any declines and increases appropriately.
Identifies and approaches potential new channels of distribution if appropriate and communicate their market implications.
Conducts market and customer research to identify potential features, concerns or new product expectations if deemed necessary.
Works with plant project manager and engineering to develop, understand, implement, and maintain product to market timelines.
Actively involved in ensuring prototypes are reflective of the product offering.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Required experience and skills include:

BS in technical field, preferably electrical or mechanical engineering; MBA is a plus (will consider extensive work experience in the commercial HVAC field in lieu of a BS degree).
Minimum 5 years relevant work experiences; 7 years preferred. 3+ years of complex product management experience; 5 years preferred.
HVAC experience preferred; Energy Recovery HVAC experience a plus.
Strong market analysis capability and business operations acumen, with a demonstrated ability in a Product Management capacity.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written); proven ability to influence and work with all levels of an organization.
Solid technical foundation, ability to learn and adapt quickly, and demonstrated ability to frame and drive business decisions.
Experience supporting customers in an external facing role.
Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and a "can do" attitude.
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
Microsoft office proficiency, advanced excel skills.
ERP, CRM and Configurator software solutions understanding and experience.
Occasionally required to visit construction sites which requires the ability to see, walk, stoop, bend and climb.
Must be able to move, lift or carry objects or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Submit your application to hr.semco@flaktgroup.com

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