Continuous Improvement Leader

Continuous Improvement Leader

- Director of Total Quality Management

Founded in 1981, Lanter Delivery Systems is a national logistics company and a leader in overnight, unattended delivery of auto, agricultural and industrial parts from their customer's distribution centers to dealer locations. In the 21st century we live in a business culture that demands cost and logistical efficiencies combined with increased productivity. Lanter's strategic, process driven approach has been embraced by the marketplace and is setting new standards in the auto and agricultural manufacturing marketplace. We see a bright future on the road before us and we are very excited about bringing our solutions to a variety of new industries.

The ideal candidate will embody our company's Non-Negotiables:

• Walk in Humble Confidence - We are experts at what we do, but we never assume we know everything.
• Be Open, Honest and Respectful - We say what has to be said in a tactful, courteous way.
• Be Fearless - We never fail, we only learn.
• We are One Team - We achieve more together by collaboration and consensus.
• Delivery on Commitments - We do what we say we will do.
• We have a Passion to Serve - We are dedicated, hardworking individuals who provide exceptional service to our customers and to each other.

The Director of Total Quality Management will lead Lanter Delivery Systems (LDS), from inception to implementation. On day 1, the Director of Total Quality Management will spearhead the development and implementation of TQM system to drive continuous improvements to LDS's end to end logistics.
This would include: cross dock management, the transportation and delivery of freight and other business related processes.

Critical to success will be engagement of employees at all levels to embrace a system of improvement that drives long term customer satisfaction. Lanter's customer base represents a prestigious list of OEM's which demand a TQMP that exceeds expectations and not only drives improvements, but also strives to be a facilitator of business retention and acquisition. With LDS's blue chip customer base, the successful candidate will be held to a high bar. The DTQM will have the full backing, support and involvement of the LDS senior leadership team. Quick wins and autonomy to drive improvements should be an attractive facet of this role.
LDS offers a fast-paced environment with customers in market leadership positions that should be highly appealing to a driven professional who seeks a professional challenge where they can make a significant impact on organizational success while leading a high visibility, high impact function. The incoming leader will find each day a professional challenge in a collegial and teaming environment with ability to directly support a core mission to exceed expectation.

Responsibilities
- Rapidly learn LDS' business, customers and all relevant background information as it related to the development of a Total Quality Management Program.
- Determine the most appropriate Total Quality Management System for LDS, present findings and recommendation to senior leadership within 30 days of starting.
- Key attributes of the TQM system will include: Policy Deployment, Identification of key KPI's, KPI tracking, Waste identification Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and tracking of effective corrective action plans (CAP)
- Create a comprehensive implementation strategy including communication, engagement of employees, timing and costs.
- Perform a critical location pilot implementation.
- Upon success of the pilot implementation, roll out the QMP company wide.
- Assumes responsibility to monitor and manage the QMP.

- Collaborate with process owners to provide Root Cause Analysis (RCA) guidance and ensure development of effective Corrective Action Plans (CAP).
- Cultivate productive relationships with customers and manage Corrective Action Plans.
- Perform audit follow-up activity to verify effectiveness of corrective actions and implementation of preventive actions.
- Investigate all facets of operations processes and make recommended improvements.
- Coordinate staff training, ensuring maximum productivity and adherence to regulatory guidelines; ensure that facility/department training status and setup is reviewed at the required frequency, and the training requirements are met in a timely manner.
- Support operations in identifying process improvement opportunities.
- Introduce and deploy effective LEAN or other process management tools to empower and engage employees

Leadership Competencies
- Comfortable with challenging and being challenged, able to communicate arguments and assertions clearly & directly, while remaining constructive and team-oriented.
- Seeks opportunities to build working relationships across functional roles by understanding needs and challenges of each and places higher priority on company goals vs. personal goals.
- Effective discussion leader: Sets expectations and describes future vision with clarity. Closes discussions with summary and assigned next steps.
- Develops own and other's ideas by seeking recommendations, using proper influence to gain genuine agreement and the ability to utilize strategic relationships to accomplish goals.
- Embraces LDS "Non-Negotiable" values, exemplifies and inspires others to do the same.
- Breaks down problems skillfully. Simplifies the complicated and communicates plainly.
- Ability to prioritize workloads and maintain a strong attention to detail at all times.
- Excels at leading by influencing others to engage and act in support of ideas, programs and causes.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- 4-8+ years of quality management experience.
- Demonstrable success implementing a quality program to broadly dispersed locations.
- 4-8+ experience in transportation or logistics, direct operating experience a plus.
- Meaningful Lean, Six Sigma or ISO9001 exposure.
- Direct experience developing and implementing a total quality management program from scratch.
- Working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, and TSA guidelines.
- Excellent problem solver with a proven track record of driving results.
- Proven track record as an "agent of change", with the ability to move quickly and bring a sense of urgency to the business.

Education and Certifications
- Associates or Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.
- LEAN, SIX SIGMA or ISO9001 Certifications.

Lanter Delivery Systems is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer regardless of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Openings for Continuous Improvement Leader Jobs at Lanter Delivery Systems