Job Overview:

This role supports the development of the UNFI Lean Business System. The role provides regional distribution centers and central supply chain groups with implementation and capability building support. This role drives the execution of the Strategy Deployment Process, as well as creating transformational processes and capability changes aligned to the execution of UNFI strategic business plan.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide Regional Distribution Center and central Supply Chain groups with implementation and capability building support

•  Ensures the development of an “engine” of Continuous Improvement

• Utilizes Value Stream Mapping to establish a customer focused, quantified, prioritized Roadmap of Kaizen (Rapid Improvement Workshop) aligned to Strategy Deployment goals, Financial (Revenue, Profit and Cash Flow) and Operating KPI gaps

• Rapid, effective cadence of Kaizen utilizing the appropriate Lean Continuous Improvement toolsets

• Development of an integrated Daily-Weekly-Monthly Management/Operating System that drives incremental day-to-day performance improvement of the Key Performance Indicators (metrics) that are leading indicators of the financial performance of the business.

• Establish the critical KPIs to measure at the right levels in the organization tied to Customer, Supplier, Employee, Shareholder and Communities.

• Create customer-focused, rigorous, simple visual performance tools to drive consistent review versus targets, prioritization of problems and effective root cause problem-solving / countermeasure throughout the organization.

• Create, simple visual, easy to manage improvement ideas implementation system for employees

• Establish Leader Standard Work at all levels in the organization that drives operating reviews, problem solving, and continuous improvement activities to the core value streams.

• Create an Engaged, High-Performance Culture that aligns the mission, values and strategy of the business to the behaviors of leaders, teams and individual contributors in the organization, embracing the principles of…

  •  Intense Focus on Understanding and Creating Value for Customers

  • Daily Continuous Improvement & Elimination of Waste

  • Cadence of Kaizen (rapid, sustainable process change)

  • Root Cause Problem Solving based on data and facts

  • Leadership Humility and a “Go to Gemba” (point of impact) approach to learning and problem-solving.

  • People Engagement, Teamwork, Diversity

  • Results Focus, Transparency and Accountability

• Support execution of Strategy Deployment Process to drive breakthrough, transformational process and capability changes aligned to the execution of UNFI strategic business plan and in support of achievement of short- and long-term business financial and operational objectives.

• Increase capabilities of Distribution Center associates in execution of the UNFI Lean Business System without need for external support

• Support DC leadership in driving accelerated rates of improvement in leading indicator KPIs including Safety, Quality, Delivery/Customer Service, Cost

• Achieve KPI performance improvement in Customer Net Promoter Score, On Time in Full to Request/Promise and Operational KPIs driven by Supply Chain Fulfillment processes such as Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP), Plan for Every Part (PFEP).

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:
 

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Business is preferred.

Experience:
 

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in distribution or industrial business

• Proven track record of delivering results in a high-performance continuous improvement environment ideally including:

  • Distribution Center/Warehousing, Logistics

  • Experience with Improving Plan for Every Part (PFEP) and Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) in a Distribution environment

  • Deep experience applying and building capability in others in key Lean Toolsets including:

    • Value Stream Mapping to produce quantified, prioritized, scheduled Kaizen Roadmaps

    • Preparing, Facilitating, Following Up on Kaizen Workshops (1 week, Implementation focused) high KPI results impacting improvement events)

    • Root Cause Problem Solving and Countermeasure with a focus on Mistake-Proofing and Visual Controls

•  Experience implementing a Lean Business System based on Danaher Business System / Toyota Production System principles and toolsets across complex organizations.

• Experience implementing a structured Lean Daily Management system of Leadership Standard Work that includes:

  • Point of Impact KPI Boards with Daily Review and Accountability Boards for escalation and execution tracking

  • Weekly Cadence of Root Cause Problem Solving and Improvement Kata

  • Obeya Room with targeted Site Level Critical KPIs / Root Cause Problem Setting / Management of Kaizen Roadmap Execution and Major Projects

  • Monthly Operating Reviews to drive improvement at a Site level including KPI Scorecards (Bowlers), A3 Root Cause Problem Solving, Financials, Talent

  • Building Leadership Standard Work at all levels in the organization from Front Line Leaders to Senior Leaders

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities:
 

• Effective communicator capable of leading across functional lines and without direct reporting authority

• Results focus and orientation.  Understands and balances driving process change for sustainability while delivering on financial and operational results.

• Innovative thinker, but even more importantly, able to help other leaders and teams get “outside the box” and drive “breakthrough thinking”.

• Has the technical capability to understand and help solve complex problems

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment:

Remote Role: This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Travel (minor): This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.
 

#LI-Remote