Christopher Smith

Experience

1. Continuous Improvement Process Manager

   Mercedes-Benz AG

   Dec 2011 — Present · Fort Mill, SC

   Main Responsibilities:• To support the implementation of TOS in the Parts Distribution Centers and Remanufacturing Facilities• Support with Annual TOS Assessments • Coach and Mentor Behaviors towards “Shingo” – Operational Excellence • Support with Company goals and alignment – Policy Deployment (Hoshin Kanri), and Blue Sky• Conduct Value Stream Mapping (VSM’s) for facility Current and Future State for Continuous Improvement Initiatives, linked towards business goals and objectives• Support to identify internal and external customers for awareness and linkage towards metric development• Utilize metrics and previous history to define ideal target state / condition for new goals, validating areas of tools, systems, and processes for targeted waste elimination and optimization of entire value streamAccomplishments:• Developed and Trained Leadership on the Blue Sky process within the aftermarket, aligning lead goals in accordance to Tactical Implementation Plans for effectiveness• Developed regular communication with all PDC’s bi-weekly to enable training of specific targets and objectives on a consistent basis, tracking attendance and involvement for accountability• Introduced new systems and tools such as Quality Feedback loops, Shop Floor Management, Problem Solving (8 Step), Standard Work Instructions, Tactical Implementation Plans, and Training Matrix to lay the foundation for business improvements• Initiated and developed the awards package for Best Lean Leadership for the PDC Operations group, which came in as runner up to the manufacturing plants (PDC Optimization Project)• Developed and initiated the truck manufacturing TOS Assessment for the PDC Operations group. All PDC’s were base lined to recognize process optimization as well with strategic TIP action items that would enable future state. Facility opportunity for Chicago and Memphis proved tremendous metric improvement in quality and delivery over a six month period

Education

• United States Marine Corps

  Survival Skills & Hand to Hand Combat

  1990 — 1994

• University of Phoenix

  Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  2008 — 2015