Operations Improvement Engineer

Operations Excellence Engineer (Japan)

Position Summary

Support business growth and improve overall Operations performance through process engineering, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Drive productivity improvement, capacity expansion, inventory optimization, warehouse efficiency, and cross-functional operational improvements to achieve business objectives.

Job Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

- Analyze operational data and identify improvement opportunities in safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, and cost.
- Lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives across Manufacturing, Warehouse, and Supply Chain operations.
- Drive process optimization and standardization to improve overall operational performance.
- Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective actions for recurring operational issues.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

- Lead Lean implementation projects utilizing tools such as:
5S
- Kaizen
- Standard Work
- Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
- 8 Wastes (Muda)
- Visual Management
- Problem Solving Methodologies

- Promote continuous improvement culture throughout the factory organization.

Capacity Expansion & Operational Projects

- Support production and warehouse capacity expansion projects.
- Participate in facility layout optimization and material flow improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate project execution with Production, Planning, Warehouse, Quality, Engineering and EHS teams.

Inventory & Warehouse Improvement

- Drive inventory accuracy improvement initiatives.
- Improve warehouse processes and material handling efficiency.
- Support inventory reduction and working capital improvement projects.
- Improve material flow from receiving through finished goods shipment.

Data Analysis & Performance Management

- Develop and maintain operational KPI dashboards.
- Analyze KPI trends and identify improvement opportunities.
- Support management reporting and operational reviews.
- Recommend actions to improve OTIF, Productivity, Inventory Turns, Cost per Kg, Write-off and other operational KPIs.

EHS & Compliance

- Ensure all operational activities comply with EHS standards and company requirements.
- Participate in risk assessments and improvement actions.
- Drive safe working practices through process improvements.

Other Duties

- Perform other duties as assigned by the Operations Manager.

Qualification Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree or above in:

- Industrial Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Supply Chain Management
- Other Engineering-related disciplines

Experience

Required

- 3 to 7 years of experience in manufacturing or operations environment.
- Hands-on experience in process improvement and shopfloor engagement.
- Proven experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence.
- Experience working cross-functionally with Production, Warehouse, Quality, Planning, and EHS.

Preferred

- Experience in chemical manufacturing industry.
- Experience in warehouse and inventory management improvement.
- APICS / CPIM knowledge.
- Project management experience.

Skills & Competencies

- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Project management capability.
- Data analysis and reporting skills.
- Good English communication skills for regional/global collaboration.

Certifications (Preferred)

- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt
- Lean Practitioner Certification
- Project Management Certification (PMP)
- APICS CPIM / CSCP

Career Path

- Operations Supervisor
- Operations Excellence Manager
- Production Manager
- Operations Manager

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to various export control regulations.  Applicants for these positions may be limited (by, for example, their countries of citizenship, country of origin, or immigration status) where required by law or governmental contact, and/or employment made contingent upon the issuance of appropriate governmental licensing.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies.   MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at:  [email protected]   .

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role