at Lauras International USA LLP in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Engagement Leader at Lauras International (USA) LLP (Chicago, IL)
The Engagement Leader will lead multidisciplinary project teams to deliver improvement support to manufacturing businesses within the specifications delineated by engagement contracts. Will lead project teams consisting of between two and ten consultants in business assessments to develop new engagement opportunities, and once engaged, will lead diverse project teams to deliver daily and weekly process improvement deliverables with the aim of increasing overall efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Will also be responsible for managing the client relationship throughout the duration of a given engagement, serving as the primary point of contact for all client matters and overseeing a team of professional consultants in providing the necessary process improvement services for each client. Day-to-day job duties include:
● Responsible for overseeing the final delivery of all elements of a project, ensuring that all Lauras’ tools and methodologies are consistently applied and utilized by consultants and clients to drive the optimum improvement results for the client, and especially in ensuring the consistent use of the Effective Improvement System (EIS) process by consultants to identify and prioritize the most beneficial areas for the client to focus on for improvement;
● Facilitate the development of new sales leads from existing clients, working directly with Lauras International executive team to deliver new clients outside of the existing client base;
● Manage client expectations, ensuring that there are no surprise issues on a job from the client’s perspective;
● Keep line managers apprised of any issues, which will be raised with clients during project status meetings;
● Oversee the development of Lauras International’s intellectual property;
● Lead assessments of various client engagements with an engagement consultant and Lauras’ efforts in supporting client-site personnel in the delivery of site implementation plans;
● Establish charters for key projects, conducting process mapping for relevant activities, and developing projects to meet expenditure and cash-flow targets;
● Manage the execution of solution delivery, serving as the direct point of contact with the client and presenting opportunities and resolutions to various levels of client organizations using client feedback as well as input from other personnel;
● Train and develop new Lauras team members in Project Management, the use of Lauras’ Tools and client relationship building; and
● Supervises approximately 10 Project Consultants (13-1111.00 – Management Analysts).
The position requires 12 years of progressively responsible experience within a manufacturing company, or with management consulting for manufacturing companies. Experience must include:
1. 12 years of experience in operational management, including direct supervision of manufacturing personnel;
2. 12 years of experience delivering productivity improvements, including increased production throughputs, reduction in yield losses, elimination of direct and indirect positions;
3. 12 years of experience communicating at all levels within an organization from C-Suite level to shop floor personnel;
4. 12 years of experience with conflict resolution and overcoming change resistance;
5. 12 years of experience quantifying the value of identified losses and delivered improvement opportunities;
6. 12 years of experience with project management, including leading multiple teams simultaneously through complex improvement processes;
7. 12 years of experience delivering on time and under budget results;
8. 2 years of experience with personnel development, including training, mentoring and successfully developing others in improvement tools and techniques;
9. 12 years of experience with business development, including on-selling additional work beyond scope of current engagements; and
10. 10 years of senior manufacturing experience at Site Director levels with full Profit & Loss accountability for multi-site operations.
Requires 95% travel to client sites at various unanticipated locations throughout the U.S. and internationally - typically stationed at various unanticipated locations approx. 4 days (3 nights) per week.
CV to bmclennan@laurasusa.com, Ref. FN1
