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Lean Manufacturing Leadership Associate

Parker Hannifin Corporation
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Position Summary

SUMMARY:

The Lean Manufacturing Leadership Development Associate is a role that combines the development aspects of Parker’s Leader Development Program with the general duties of a Parker Lean Leader.  Primary responsibilities will involve championing Lean initiatives at the plant level, organizing teams for value stream mapping and waste elimination across all functions, incorporating program aspects to support decision-making processes that will impact our long-term future.  

The Program involves a two-year, 4 rotations, where the Leadership Development Associates will work in a variety of roles in a competitive training and hands-on leadership program designed to provide knowledge, and experience with using their discretion and independent judgment related to their skillsets to support the business.  Leadership training and development experiences throughout the initial two years with the goal to develop skillsets in supervision, team leadership, and management. While in program, rotational assignments are structured to expose participants to coaching/mentoring from other professionals from the organization, different business divisions, facilities, and managers nation-wide.


PROGRAM DETAILS:

  • Duration: 2 years
  • Structure: 4 rotational assignments
  • Rotations' length: 6 months each
  • One rotation will require leading others in a manufacturing environment
  • Relocation requirements: The assignments will require relocation. Geographic flexibility is required during the program
  • Onsite Work

 

ROTATION DETAILS:

In addition to various leadership development activities and tasks related to the Program, the Lean Mfg Leadership Associate will perform direct responsibilities related to the rotational Lean Leader assignment, including, but not limited to: 

Lean Leader Rotation:

  • Lead and guide Lean initiatives within the Plant. Works with plant level management on Lean process projects using lean tools and metrics. Assists in the development of a Lean Strategy to be implemented plant-wide. 
  • Ensure that teams are established at the location and are implementing the Lean principles, techniques, and methodologies according to Corporate requirements. Technologies and methodologies include Value Steam Mapping, Cellular Manufacturing, Kanban Pull Systems, Quick Changeover, design for lean, one-piece flow, inventory reduction, site tracking centers etc. 
  • Provide effective change management, leadership, and optimization in implementing the corporate WIN strategy across the Plant. Serves as a catalyst for successful and sustained lean implementation. 
  • Ensure on-going education of all employees at the Plant in Lean. 
  • Promote a Continuous Learning environment. 
  • Work with all operating disciplines by using value stream management to develop a master plan of meeting the goals of Lean. 

Problem Solving Rotation:

  • Assess quality performance (or cost-of-quality) using Sig-Sigma and Green Belt tools and problem-solving methods.
  • Develop and establish quality systems and procedures, inspection plans, quality performance trends, statistical plans, cost estimates and technical quality plans for proposals. Ensures that project and/or process control documentation is compliant with requirements and/or contract.
  • Identify quality performance, trends, and corrective action by coordinating with customers and suppliers. Ensure compliance to specified quality requirements by performing in-house and supplier audits and surveys. Develops and initiates programs to improve supplier performance.
  • Prepare reports by collecting, interpreting, analyzing, and summarizing data and making recommendations. Analyze proposed changes in methods and materials. Compiles and writes training material and conducts training sessions. On quality control activities.
  • Refine and enhance products and processes by applying continuous improvement and key lean manufacturing/production principles and techniques to critical areas of production.
  • Represent company by interfacing with customers, assisting with internal and external audits. May act as main contact in audit. Develops and coordinates corrective action procedures and plans.
  • Communicate and educate Value Stream Team on matters requiring specialized knowledge of quality functions, i.e., Production Approval Process (PPAP), Advanced Product Quality Process (APQP), and document control.
  • Makes quality-related customer and vendor visits and contacts as required.

Value Stream Team Leader Rotation:

  • Ownership of Value Stream P&L’s including cost analysis and opportunities, product line margin, PPV goals and manufacturing productivity.
  • Lead the Value Stream in daily operations and continuous improvements which include but are not limited to supply chain production control, establishing manufacturing priorities, coordination of activities with off -shift management and order shipments. Emphasizes the creation of continuous product flow, utilize pull systems where flow is not currently possible, and works to level the workload. 
  • Operational leadership including successful Lean implementation resulting in productivity gains.
  • Create the basis for continuous improvement and employee empowerment by ensuring that standardized work/processes are followed, countermeasures implemented, and the area is compliant with safety requirements.
  • Instill and maintain a positive can-do team atmosphere within the Value Stream; holding regular team meetings and assigning team members tasks and coordinate support services needed outside the team. Utilizes PDCA in conjunction with the Tracking Centers and Team Improvement Boards to ensure results.
  • Ensure Value Stream Leaders provide effective cross-training for the Value Stream Associates, including backups from other areas, to assure a continuous smooth running Value Stream. This training is the foundation of a culture that stops to fix problems in order to get quality right the first time.

Customer Experience Rotation:

  • Serve as the day-to-day leadership-program representative embedded with the customer (on-site), acting as a connector back into Parker.
  • Build a working understanding of the customer’s business model, manufacturing flow, pain points, and critical-to-quality requirements.
  • Strengthen customer trust through reliability, transparency, and follow-through.
  • Define project scope, objectives, success metrics, and timeline aligned to customer outcomes (delivery, quality, cost, performance, responsiveness).
  • Lead the project cadence: stakeholder alignment, action tracking, risk management, and escalation as needed.
  • Maintain a clear project dashboard (scope, milestones, risks, financial impact, customer KPIs).
  • Support root cause and corrective action efforts (8D/A3) and ensure prevention plans are implemented and verified.
  • Drive closure and adoption to ensure improvements are implemented, verified, and sustained.
  • Provide periodic updates to Parker leadership and customer stakeholders, tailored to what each group needs (operational detail vs. strategic outcomes).


JOB REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus in Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering
  • Graduation before June 2026
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Previous experience leading teams (work or school)
  • Working knowledge of lean concepts and demonstrated application.
  • Relevant experience gained through internship or co-op opportunities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication; project management experience preferred.
  • Must be willing and able to relocate.

 

This role is subject to compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which requires the incumbent to be either a US citizen, lawful permanent resident [“green card” holders] or have refugee or asylee status)
 

COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION:

  • Pay Range: $76,000/annually to $115,000/annually reflecting variations based on experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
  • Participation in Annual Incentive Program
     

BENEFITS & RETIREMENT PLANS:

Parker offers competitive benefit programs, including:

  • Comprehensive coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, voluntary optional life, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance and critical illness insurance with competitive premium cost. 
  • 401(k) Plan with company matching contributions at 100% of the first 5% of pay
  • Company provided defined-contribution retirement plan with annual contribution equal to 3% of pay
  • Career development and tuition reimbursement
  • Other benefits including paid parental leave, short and long-term disability programs, adoption assistance, a Care.com membership and financial planning assistance are provided at no cost to you.
  • Supplemental benefit programs including identity protection, legal protection, and pet wellness are available at competitive rates.
  • Paid Time Off and Company-Paid Holidays.
  • Short Term Relocation benefits pkg for Leadership Associates
     

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

The essential functions have been provided as examples of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The Company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.

This position is subject to meeting U.S. export compliance and/or U.S. Government contracting citizenship eligibility requirements. 


Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.  This position is subject to meeting export compliance eligibility requirements.  

“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)  

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.