Lean Coach

Lean Coach

Kent is looking for a Lean Coach to be based in Beaumont, TX or Baton Rouge, LA client locations to support regional project site(s).

The Lean Coach will support operational excellence initiatives across its manufacturing and plant operations. This role will partner closely with plant leadership to evaluate operational workflows, identify inefficiencies, and guide teams in implementing practical Lean improvements that enhance productivity, reliability, and operational efficiency.

The Lean Coach will work directly with Plant Managers, Operations Leaders, and Technical Teams to drive continuous improvement efforts within manufacturing environments supporting Client lubricants and grease production network.

This role is part of the Global Operations organization, a center of expertise responsible for optimizing operations across Client global manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities:

Coach plant leadership and operational teams on Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Evaluate manufacturing processes, production workflows, and plant operations to identify opportunities for efficiency and waste reduction.

Facilitate Lean workshops, Kaizen events, and process improvement initiatives.

Conduct value stream mapping and operational process analysis to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

Support plant leaders in implementing practical and sustainable operational improvements.

Guide teams in understanding why previous Lean initiatives may have failed and how to implement improvements effectively.

Partner with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to improve production reliability, throughput, and operational performance.

Develop and monitor operational performance metrics and improvement KPIs.

Mentor plant supervisors and operations leaders on continuous improvement practices.

Manufacturing & Plant Operations:

Strong understanding of industrial manufacturing or plant operations environments.

Facilitate process manufacturing, production workflows, and operational process optimization.

Support maintenance, reliability, and asset utilization in plant environments.

Evaluate plant-floor operations and operational inefficiencies.

Your knowledge/skills, education, and experience:

Knowledge/ Qualification/ Training/ Certification:

5 to 10 plus years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or plant environments.

Experienced operational leader with hands-on manufacturing or plant leadership experience who understands both the potential and limitations of Lean methodologies.

Understanding of how Lean tools translate into real operational improvements in plant environments.

Previous leadership experience such as:

Plant Manager

Operations Manager

Production Manager

Manufacturing Supervisor

Plant Superintendent

Preferred Experience:

Experience leading operational improvement or Lean initiatives.

Background in manufacturing, petrochemical, chemical, refinery, or industrial production environments.

Strong credibility working with experienced plant leadership teams.

Ability to translate Lean theory into practical operational improvements.

Lean & Continuous Improvement Tools:

Hands-on experience applying Lean tools such as:

Value Stream Mapping (VSM).

Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone).

Kaizen / Continuous Improvement events.

Waste elimination (TIMWOODS).

Standard Work development.

Visual management systems.

Process flow optimization.

Operational performance management.

Operational Metrics & Performance Analysis:

Experience analyzing and improving operational performance indicators such as:

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Production throughput and capacity utilization.

Downtime and equipment reliability.

Cycle time and process lead time.

Yield, scrap, and rework rates.

Maintenance efficiency and asset utilization.

Labor productivity.

Industrial Systems Knowledge:

Familiarity with common industrial systems including:

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

Enterprise Resource Planning systems (SAP preferred).

Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

Production planning and plant performance dashboards.

Communication:

Excellent command of the English language in both oral and written communication and skills.

Behavior/ Core Competencies:

Traveling is required as well as between various job sites.

Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.

Ability to bring the project to successful completion.

Demonstrate a positive attitude and embrace charter values.

Foster good relationships and team working ethic with sub-contract teams to promote safe working practices and efficiency.

Experience of working in an integrated team from diverse locations required.

HSSEQ:

The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it's clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Details about the role:

Location: Beaumont, TX / Baton Rouge, LA

Relocation required: N/A

Travel required: Minimal travel between both locations 1-2 times monthly

Contract type: Regular employee: Seconded/ Embedded to client site

Experience level: 5 to 10 plus years