Contractor - LEAN Job

Job description:

Experience required: 35 years

Purpose

Job Description: Lean Product Development Consultant – R&D Transformation (KTEC)

Role Summary: KTEC seeks an experienced Lean Product Development and R&D Transformation Consultant to lead and implement Lean Transformation within its R&D function. The consultant will drive cultural and operational change, enabling KTEC’s R&D teams to achieve sustained exceptional performance in innovation, quality, delivery, and cost. The role requires deep expertise in Lean principles, a proven track record in R&D/product development environments, and the ability to influence at all organizational levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end deployment of Lean Product Development (LPD) practices within KTEC’s R&D teams, following the LBT framework (Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle).
• Assess current R&D systems, processes, and culture to identify gaps and opportunities for Lean transformation.
• Facilitate the development and deployment of strategies that align operational and strategic objectives, ensuring daily management systems reflect long-term vision.
• Coach and mentor R&D leaders and teams on Lean philosophy, focusing on the 4Ps (Philosophy, Practices, People & Partners, Problem Solving).
• Implement Lean tools and practices such as Value Stream Mapping, A3 Thinking, Kaizen, Visual Management, Tier Meetings, Built-in Quality, and 5S, adapting them to the unique needs of product development.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, problem surfacing, and rapid problem-solving at all levels.
• Enable cross-functional collaboration to break down silos and ensure business effectiveness over mere functional efficiency.
• Establish and track lead and lag metrics to measure both means and outcomes, ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Support leadership in developing servant leadership behaviors and embedding Lean mental models across the R&D organization.
• Ensure knowledge transfer and capability building so that improvements are sustained beyond the consulting engagement.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in leading Lean transformations in R&D or product development environments
• Deep understanding of Lean principles, especially as applied to innovation and knowledge work.
• Demonstrated ability to drive cultural change and influence senior leadership.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Experience with Lean tools relevant to product development (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, A3, Kaizen, Visual Management).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and levels.
• Degree in Engineering, Science, or related field; Lean certification preferred.

Success Metrics:

• Achievement of or exceeding operational and strategic R&D targets (e.g., innovation rate, quality, delivery, cost, retention, patents).
• Demonstrated adoption of Lean practices and culture (e.g., regular tier meetings, problem surfacing, Kaizen events).
• Sustained improvements in lead and lag metrics (e.g., cycle time, defect rates, productivity).
• Positive feedback from R&D teams and leadership on engagement and capability building.

Example Implementation:

• Within the first 3 months, conduct a comprehensive current-state assessment of KTEC’s R&D processes and culture.
• Develop and initiate a Lean transformation roadmap, including training sessions, pilot projects, and leadership workshops.
• Facilitate regular tier meetings and Kaizen events to address identified bottlenecks and foster continuous improvement.
• Establish visual management systems and dashboards to track progress and engage all stakeholders.