POSTING DATE: March 20, 2024
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled
JOB NUMBER: 2024-24
HYBRID WORK: Eligible
POSITION TYPE: Permanent
LOCATION: Position can be based out of the St. Albert office (with frequent travel to the Millsite) or at the Millsite near Athabasca, AB
Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) is seeking a Specialist, Continuous Improvement. The successful candidate will be responsible for the Stage 1 (Ideation) process within Al-Pac’s Project Delivery Model. This includes generation, identification, assessment and refinement of early-stage growth and major cost savings’ initiatives.
Who Are We?
Al-Pac is the largest single-line kraft pulp producer in North America. Our mill is located near the communities of Athabasca, Boyle & Lac La Biche. We are leaders in our industry, from our quality products, mill operations and responsible forest management practices, to the way we grow and develop our team members and work with local communities. We are continuously exploring new and innovative ideas, while delivering premium products with a commitment to strong environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility – a commitment that is demonstrated by our long-standing Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification*.
Role Responsibilities
- Develop the Continuous Improvement Program:
- Engage with Leaders across Al-Pac to develop Stage 1 (Ideation) of the Project Delivery Model, developing and implementing processes used to continuously identify opportunities for growth, cost saving and process improvement activities across Al-Pac teams.
- Lead internal idea generation activities, initiatives and formal events aimed at adding topics to the Ideation Funnel:
- Work with leaders in other Divisions to identify, coordinate and plan these activities.
- Lead the Lean Six Sigma-style kaizen events (or equivalent) and periodic brainstorming sessions with internal and/or external related to particular topic or thematic areas.
- Lead external idea identification and generation activities aimed at adding topics to the Ideation Funnel:
- Work with external subject matter experts (SME), vendors, academics, and others to identify and conduct preliminary evaluation of opportunities to support growth and process improvement.
- Develop internal capacity to support development and sustainability of continuous improvement ‘culture’ within and across Al-Pac:
- Identify training needs and options.
- Work with leaders to identify candidates for process improvement (e.g. Lean Six Sigma or equivalent) training.
- Arrange and support the scheduling and delivery of training programs related to continuous improvement.
- Seek and secure leveraged funding to support training needs.
- Administer, collate, and track the inclusion, preliminary assessment and ranking of topics within the Ideation Funnel:
- Evaluate ideas to prioritize topics for further due diligence using a scorecard method.
- Lead market studies (including management of external resources and coordination of internal SME contributions).
- Oversee the systems and administration of the in-flow and out-flow of ideas within the Ideation Funnel.
- Develop “Recommendations to Shelve” or “Recommendations to Pursue” documentation.
- Generate dashboards and progress reports (including Board presentations) as required.
- Deliver ideas for feasibility:
- Work with key internal & external subject matter experts to conduct preliminary assessment of ideas with the objective of bringing forward a narrowed list of high-quality ideas for feasibility assessment (Stage 2) and investment due diligence.
- Work closely with the Engineer, Process (Secondment) and Specialist, Feasibility to develop an effective and efficient workflow of idea generation and assessment.
Role Requirements
- Post-secondary degree, preferably in an engineering or technology field.
- 8+ years’ experience in a role focused on process improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent required.
- Experience with Business Process Mapping.
- Project Management expertise (implementing project plans).
- Considered an asset:
- Experience in a forestry, manufacturing environment and/or commodity industry.
- Familiarity with financial evaluation and assessment and the ability to design and populate financial models.
- Clear and effective verbal, written and presenting communication skills with diverse audiences without supervision.
- Excellent analytical skills and strong problem solving and business acumen.
- Proficient in all aspects of MS Office. Advanced knowledge of database programs such as Excel and Access as well as experience with MS Project.
- Ability to collaborate and have influence stakeholders at all levels and work effectively within a team environment.
What We Offer
- A competitive annual salary including a company-paid pension at 7% and matching RRSP up to 3%.
- Company-paid dental and extended health benefits, including a health care and taxable spending account and supplemental life insurance.
- Compressed work schedule (Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
- Hybrid Work Arrangement Program, depending on eligibility.
- Four week’s annual vacation to start, increasing with years of service.
- Relocation Assistance Program, depending on eligibility.
- Team-based culture that encourages work-life balance.
Resumes can be forwarded in confidence to careers@alpac.ca.
Legal Statement
Al-Pac is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We wish to express our thanks to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
*FSC-C021640