Cost Improvement Specialist

Job Title:

Cost Improvement Specialist

Company:

AISIN World Corp. of America

Department:

Strategic Cost & Profit Management, VA/VE SSA

Location:

Northville, MI Position Summary This position will function to support cost improvement initiatives across internal teams and supplier partners. The role will be focused on identifying, developing, and executing cost-saving opportunities throughout the product lifecycle. Position Responsibilities The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position: Manage the VA (Value Analysis) / SSA (Smart Standard Activity) Activity, both internally and externally: Gather data from the Customers/suppliers to disseminate targets. Collect customer scorecards and report real-time status to Executives. Develop and help maintain supplier scorecards working with purchasing team. Work with AISIN Japan to summarize and roll-up concepts applicable to North America (NA) and work with the NA Design, Sales and Purchasing group to submit. Collaborate with NA Design and Manufacturing groups to collect ideas and track submissions by Sales to the customers. Collaborate with Purchasing and Manufacturing groups to collect ideas and track submissions by suppliers. Monitor payments from customers to ensure proper receipt and match the submissions. Monitor payments to suppliers to ensure proper receipt and match the submissions. Work with Purchasing to develop and manage the VA system for the AISIN supply base in NA. Identify weaknesses within the current process and develop Kaizen items to improve. Other tasks and duties as assigned. Required Skills and Abilities

Essential Skills and Experience:

Ability to manage and oversee projects working cross functionally across various departments. Proficient in Microsoft Office. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Excellent collaboration, organizational, and teamwork skills. Review and interpret technical specifications and 2D drawings. Beneficial Skills and Experience Bi-lingual in Japanese and English. Education/Training/Certifications Bachelors degree preferred Travel Requirements Approximately 10 - 20 %. Must be willing and available to travel to such locations and with such frequency as is necessary and desirable to meet business needs. Work Environment Requirements With reasonable accommodation: Must be able to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other office equipment. Must perform job duties onsite, when necessary, except those duties that are customarily or by their nature performed offsite (for example, offsite customer visits). Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to work on multiple assignments at once, and complete assignments within deadline and budget (if applicable) with satisfactory quality. Must be able to operate as an effective team member. Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all company safety policies. Attendance/Work Hour Requirements Must maintain an acceptable attendance record. Must be willing and available to work weekends and holidays as necessary and desirable to meet business needs.