SUMMARY: The Senior Manager-Westlake Continuous Improvement (WCI) position leads and executes the Westlake Continuous Improvement System within Westlake Corporation. This individual works at the corporate level to define the practices and operating polices of the WCI Program, and at the local level this individual takes responsibility and accountability for the successful utilization of the WCI System and the results obtained from that system. This person will be recognized and act as an expert in all aspects of implementing, managing and obtaining results from Lean, Lean Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies, as well as statistical and advanced analytics tools and technologies.

Each region will have a regional WCI lead reporting to the Regional Plant Manager. The Regional WCI lead will have overall responsibility for the WCI performance in the assigned region and will work with the Corporate Manager-WCI to insure alignment with corporate WCI goals and objectives.

Vinnolit and other subsidiaries will be treated as additional regions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates at the corporate level to help develop the Westlake Continuous Improvement vision and deployment planning.
• Helps develop and coordinate the plans to achieve the Westlake Continuous Improvement objectives as defined by the WCI Corporate and Houston Site Quality Steering Committees.
• Provides oversight and direction to Regional WCI Managers to maintain consistency in the areas of planning, systems, conventions, benefits calculations, reporting, documentation, training, tools and performance.
• Maintains the WCI Financial Guidelines and updates as needed.
• Achieves buy-in from all strategic decision makers for the successful application of Lean, Lean Six Sigma, and other improvement methodologies. Creates team processes for optimizing results.
• Models and leads the deployment of the WCI vision in harmony with the overall business vision for the most benefit to the business. Acts as the expert/consultant in the development and execution of the WCI Management System.
• Provides management with project status updates, feedback, and appropriate reporting on key responsibilities and objectives, primarily via monthly reporting but also as needed or requested.
• Participates as a member of the WCI Corporate Quality Steering Committee and the Houston-based Site Quality Steering Committee.
• Holds periodic, focused WCI reviews with all key participants, including bi-annual reviews with the WCI Corporate Quality Steering Committee.
• Acts as a resource to Champions in support of their efforts to make WCI ‘The way we do business’ and to deliver the expected results.
• Works with Champions to ensure plans are in place for the ongoing development of the WCI Management System.
• Supports Champions in identifying appropriate personnel from his/her organization to function as Master Black Belts, Black Belts, Green Belts, and other resources.
• Assists Champions in identifying key projects that will provide the optimum benefits to our customers and the business.
• Ensures an adequate backlog of projects for assignment to Black Belts, Green Belts, and other trained resources has been established.
• Monitors and ensures that Black Belts, Green Belts, and other trained resources are accountable for their respective projects and project completion goals.
• Ensures the implementation of the WCI Management System is per the WCI Handbook.
• Plans/leads Champion refresher activities and forums for sharing best practices.
• Coordinates communication activities and markets the process and results by publicizing goals and plans, including maintaining and developing content for the WCI web site.
• Defines appropriate training progression for WLK and WCI resources and insures that needed curricula are available.
• Manages licensing of supporting software, including PowerSteering, Minitab, Quality Trainer, iGrafx FlowCharter, and others as required.
• Insures the configuration of PowerSteering supports organizational needs.
• Verifies data integrity as needed, including regular checks via the project review process.
• Directs WCI tools and resources in support of company-wide initiatives; i.e., sustainables and GHG, Logistics Leakage focus, digitalization, verification of value of large-cap projects, Manufacturing Excellence, Manufacturing 4.0, and others as needed.
• Manages annual deployment planning and budgeting for WCI deployments across Westlake.
• Drives incorporation of WLK acquisitions into WCI and PowerSteering.
• Performs the primary thinking encompassed by this job description and any other job responsibilities or tasks as assigned.
• Complies with all Company policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Manager-Westlake Continuous Improvement supervises the Corporate Westlake Continuous Improvement Department which can include Master Black Belts, Black Belts, Green Belts and additional Quality support staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven leadership skills and business acumen - performance driven
• Broad strategic thinker, with clear vision and direction of world-class change management.
• Knowledgeable in the company's strategies and change philosophies.
• Good working knowledge of products and services.
• Excellent presentation skills with solid communication capabilities and practices, both oral and written.
• Respected and trusted leader with a proven track record of achievement, solid management skills and a reputation as a leader of change.
• Good project management skills.
• Works well in team environment, with sound negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal capabilities and ability to work cross-functionally with other leaders on sensitive and/or emotional issues.
• Able to combine aggressive initiative with professional discipline to accomplish difficult tasks through other people.
• Demonstrates a keen desire to continually learn and grow - motivated by successes.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Comfortable with analytical methods, mathematics, and statistics and is process focused.
• 4-year degree in business or technical discipline. Graduate degree a plus.
• 5 years or more of industry experience
• Proven record of performance and trusted professional credibility.
• Experienced and passionate team leader with proven problem-solving experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Additionally, this position must make general decisions requiring judgement and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require use of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 25%, including air travel or auto travel.

WORK LOCATION: Preference for Houston location but if an internal candidate is chosen, US-based Westlake plant locations may be considered. Travel required to plant locations in the United States and possibly other locations.