Continuous Improvement Engineer at Pinch A Penny in Clearwater, FL

Location: Pinch A Penny Suncoast Chemicals Plant; 15400 62nd St North. Clearwater, FL. 33760

You want Benefits? You’ve got it! Our generous benefits package includes: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug coverage with Flexible Spending Accounts and Wellness Programs

• 401 (k) with generous company match

• Eligible for Paid Time Off and 8 paid holidays (NOTE: PTO increases with tenure!)

• 100% employer paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Paid Parental Leave

• Fully Funded Tuition Education Programs

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Excellent career advancement and training opportunities to support your career growth

• Employee Discounts and much more!

What to Expect?

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for organizing, planning, implementation, and follow-through of continuous improvement initiatives. Correspondingly, this position coordinates and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve on-time delivery, productivity, quality, cost, safety, organization, communication, and environmental performance.  Additionally, this position supports Production Supervisors, Area Leads, and Plant Managers by championing lean and 5S events in manufacturing. A pillar in our leadership team, the Continuous Improvement Engineer must have excellent communication and leadership qualities, very organized and detail oriented, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

On a daily basis our Continuous Improvement Engineer:

• Champion Continuous improvement initiatives and drive waste reductions utilizing Lean principles (JIT, Autonomation, Value Stream Mapping, Cycle Time vs TAKT Time, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Line/Cell Design, Single Piece Flow, Material Flow, Visual Management, Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving, etc.)

• Develop Value Stream maps of key processes and product flows. Define the current condition of the facility(ies) to identify opportunities and create a target condition, with action plans to improve operational and financial results.

• Complete value stream mapping, identify opportunities, and lead efforts in process reengineering and process improvements in various plants.

• Facilitate successful kaizen, problem solving, and rapid improvement process events with both internal and external consultants, customers, and suppliers. This includes providing support to sustain all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements initiated during those events, especially those concentrated on local improvement.

• Coordinate, plan, and execute 5S checklists, as well as assisting in internal audit procedures.

• Coordinate, assist, and deliver team-based Continuous Improvement (CI) training to support heightened performance by being knowledgeable of each department and CI concepts, principles, and practices.

• Assist department leaders in team skill and knowledge development to support meeting management goals, project aims, improvements, result measurements, and problem solving.

• Coordinate with resource departments to fabricate, install, and implement improvements.

• Remain committed and up-to-date on CI manufacturing principles and techniques.

• Demonstrated experience in flow principles, Kanban, and plan for every part (PFEP)

• Expertise in value stream mapping and associated improvement methodologies

• Experience evaluating TAKT time vs. cycle time, determining work area constraints (i.e. cycle time constraint, periodic work constraints, downtime constraints).

• Strong interpersonal skills requiring the ability to resolve conflicting interests and obtain cooperation.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: able to develop and use structured approaches to identify root causes and recommend resolutions.

• Demonstrated experience in project leadership and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet objectives and key deadlines.

• Continually monitor company safety procedures and policies with a focus in maintenance and production.

• Ensure a safe work environment by enforcing company policy on Safety, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), housekeeping, material handling and operation standards.

• Assist with review and improvement of the packaging of Suncoast products.

• Ensure Suncoast products are packaged in compliance with DOT and transportation standards.

• Attend staff meetings, in-services and other campus activities as needed.

• Any other duties, as assigned.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain Management, or other related field of study required. 

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in an industrial manufacturing environment required.

• Must have knowledge and understanding of Continuous Process Improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma

• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as exhibit initiative and a high level of energy.

• Must be willing to spend time on the manufacturing shopfloor to learn and interact with employees.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and drive change.

• Collaborative and proactive approach in a team-oriented environment

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate with empathy and compassion when appropriate.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Looking to work for the best in the industry?
Since opening its first store in 1975, Pinch A Penny, A POOLCORP Company, has become the largest franchised retail pool, patio and spa company. This first store evolved into a full-time, full-service retail pool supply store offering everything needed to operate and enjoy a swimming pool or spa. With our rapid growth we have been able to hire over 300 employees from Marketing directors, sales associates to machine operators and maintenance mechanics. We are proud to serve our community and be an employer of choice. We believe in recognizing our employees for their hard work and encourage work-life balance.

Why join PINCH A PENNY?
Pinch A Penny, a POOLCORP Company is the premier destination for all your swimming pool and backyard needs. With over 300 stores and expanding, we are the nation's largest swimming pool retail, service, and repair franchise. Our relentless dedication to excellence drives us to bring people together through the joy of pools, spas, and the backyard experience. Join us on this exciting journey as we continue to grow, innovate, and set new standards in the swimming pool industry.

Bilingual, Military, Military Spouses and Veteran applicants are strongly encouraged to apply! We understand the uniqueness of hiring military personnel and veterans and will support him/her in the time of duty or with the transition into new civilian professions. 

All offers to external candidates for employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment drug testing and background verifications before employment is finalized. This position is considered “safety-sensitive” and includes tasks or duties which could affect the safety and health of the employee performing the tasks or others.

POOLCORP, including all its subsidiaries, is a drug-free company and Equal Opportunity Employer – By Choice. The Company understands, respects, and values diversity – unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas, and opinions – while striving to be inclusive of all people. This commitment is critical to our success as a global company as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Hiring and promotional decisions are based solely on the qualifications required for the job to be filled.