Manufacturing Strategy and Lean Director

Location: Based in the United States

Reports To: Vice President of Global Operations Refinish

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Manufacturing Strategy and Lean Director to:

• Drive the development and execution of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy for our Refinish operations.
• Align global production capabilities with the company’s business objectives, fostering innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for growth.
• Utilize LEAN manufacturing practices and continuous improvement methodology and tools to optimize global manufacturing processes.
• Create a culture focused on innovation, efficiency and sustainability that creates a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Lead the strategic deployment of LEAN principles to drive operational excellence across all Refinish manufacturing sites worldwide.
• Develop, implement and hold sites accountable for utilizing processes that are aligned to Axalta’s global objectives for SPQDC Safety, People, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
• Be a change agent who excels at collaborating with diverse teams to deliver transformational results in efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Utilize data to analyze the operations network and identify optimization opportunities.
• 50-75% Travel required to support Global Manufacturing Operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Execution

• Develop and implement a global manufacturing strategy aligned with corporate goals, market trends, and customer demands.
• Assess current manufacturing capabilities and identify opportunities for operational optimization, capacity expansion, and technological innovation.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as global footprint rationalization, site selection, and production capacity planning.

2. Global Operations Alignment

• Collaborate with regional and site leaders across all Business Units to ensure manufacturing strategies address local market needs while adhering to global standards.
• Develop and maintain a framework for benchmarking operational performance across facilities to drive consistency and excellence.
• Align with R&D, quality, procurement, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless integration of new products and technologies into manufacturing operations.

3. Sustainability and Innovation

• Develop strategies to incorporate sustainability into manufacturing processes, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly materials.
• Explore and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, such as Industry 4.0, automation, and data analytics, to enhance productivity and agility.

4. Financial and Investment Oversight

• Partner with Finance and Operations to identify and prioritize capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Evaluate and propose investment opportunities for new manufacturing technologies, capacity expansions, and modernization initiatives.
• Monitor cost structures globally and implement strategies to optimize cost competitiveness without compromising quality or safety.

5. Risk Management and Compliance

• Assess risks associated with global manufacturing operations and develop mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards across global manufacturing sites.

6. Team Leadership and Development

• Build and lead a cross-functional team focused on executing the global manufacturing strategy.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability within the organization.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to team members to drive engagement and performance.

7. Lean Strategy Development and Deployment

• Develop and implement a global Lean strategy aligned with the company's operational and business goals.
• Partner with site leaders and regional operations teams to deploy Lean tools and methodologies such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S, SMED, Kaizen, and Standard Work.
• Create a roadmap for continuous improvement projects to achieve operational excellence across all facilities.

8. Operational Excellence Leadership

• Lead the identification, prioritization, and execution of process improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC).
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress, ensure accountability, and drive continuous improvement.
• Act as a champion for waste elimination, problem-solving, and process optimization throughout the organization.

9. Training and Capability Building

• Develop and deliver training programs to build Lean capability across all levels of the organization.
• Mentor and coach site leadership and cross-functional teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational ownership.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across sites to enhance team skills and performance.

10. Standardization and Consistency

• Drive the standardization of processes, systems, and metrics across all manufacturing sites to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with regional and site leaders to implement and sustain standardized Lean practices.
• Ensure Lean initiatives are aligned with corporate standards and regulatory compliance.

11. Collaboration and Change Management

• Act as a key liaison between manufacturing sites, corporate leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on Lean objectives and projects.
• Lead change management efforts to overcome resistance and foster employee engagement in Lean initiatives.
• Communicate progress and results of Lean programs to executive leadership and stakeholders.

12. Sustainability and Innovation

• Integrate sustainability principles into Lean initiatives, focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly practices.
• Stay updated on the latest Lean and continuous improvement trends, tools, and technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Key Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years of experience in manufacturing strategy, operations, or industrial engineering, preferably in the paint, coatings, or chemicals industry.
  • Demonstrated success in developing and implementing global manufacturing strategies.
  • Experience managing large-scale projects and working across multiple geographies and cultures.
  • 5+ years of leadership experience in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement, preferably in the paint, coatings, or chemical industries.
  • Proven track record of leading global, multi-site Lean transformations.
  • Extensive experience deploying Lean tools, methodologies, and frameworks in manufacturing environments.
• Skills:
  • Strategic and analytical thinking with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain dynamics, and market trends.
  • Expertise in sustainability initiatives and smart manufacturing technologies.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Exceptional expertise in Lean principles, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to drive data-driven decisions.
  • Excellent leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities to inspire cross-functional teams.
  • Effective communication and collaboration skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
  • Exceptional expertise in Lean principles, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to drive data-driven decisions.
  • Excellent leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities to inspire cross-functional teams.
  • Effective communication and collaboration skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with paint and coatings industry-specific challenges, such as VOC compliance, environmental regulations, and process innovations.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related methodologies.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt.
• Experience managing Lean initiatives in a global, culturally diverse environment.
• Familiarity with coatings industry-specific challenges, such as VOC compliance, batch variability, and process automation.

Why Join Us?

• Shape the future of manufacturing for a globally recognized leader in the paint and coatings industry.
• Be at the forefront of sustainability and technological innovation in manufacturing.
• Join a collaborative and inclusive culture that values growth, innovation, and excellence.
• Drive transformational change in a globally recognized leader in the paint and coatings industry.
• Lead a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement across 24 global sites.
• Be part of an organization committed to sustainability, innovation, and employee development.

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.  

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.