MFG Leaders recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully recruiting and placing three exceptional lean-focused production leaders at Sonny's Enterprises. This recruitment drive was marked by several challenges, including the high cost of living in Ft. Lauderdale, the need for a dedicated second-shift candidate, and the requirement for credible lean application expertise.
Over the course of the search, MFG Leaders reviewed over 900 lean savvy prospects. Despite these hurdles, MFG Leaders demonstrated their prowess in finding and securing top-tier talent, showcasing their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.
Sonny's Enterprises, owned by private equity firm Genstar Capital, is the world's largest manufacturer of conveyorized car wash equipment, parts, and supplies. Sonny's was near the beginning of its Lean Manufacturing journey and sought practical, continuous improvement leaders to spearhead their initiatives. The successful placements included Randy Adams as Senior Production Manager, Gary Quarles as 1st Shift Production Manager, and Ryan Smith as 2nd Shift Production Manager. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience and expertise to their respective roles, ensuring that Sonny's is well-equipped to achieve its lean manufacturing goals.
Lean Requirements for Recruitment
The recruitment process was not just about filling positions but ensuring that the candidates met stringent lean manufacturing requirements. The specific lean requirements used in the recruitment and vetting process included:
- Experience Creating a CI Learning Environment: Candidates needed to demonstrate their ability to foster a continuous improvement (CI) culture within the organization, ensuring that all employees are engaged in ongoing learning and development.
- Employee Behavior Change Management: The ability to manage and drive behavior change among employees was crucial, ensuring that lean principles are adopted at all levels of the organization.
- Standard Work: Candidates were required to have experience in developing and implementing standard work procedures to ensure consistency and efficiency in production processes.
- Gemba Leadership: Effective leadership on the shop floor (Gemba) was essential, with candidates expected to lead by example and engage directly with frontline workers to identify and solve problems.
- Jishuken Events: Experience in organizing and leading Jishuken (self-study) events to drive continuous improvement and problem-solving was a key requirement.
- Stand-Up Meetings: The ability to conduct effective stand-up meetings to communicate goals, progress, and issues was necessary to maintain alignment and focus within teams.
- Visual Management, Hour-by-Hour Boards: Candidates needed to be proficient in using visual management tools, such as hour-by-hour boards, to track performance and identify areas for improvement in real-time.
- TPM/OEE Analysis: Experience in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) analysis was required to ensure optimal equipment performance and minimize downtime.
Overcoming Recruitment Challenges
The recruitment process was not without its challenges. Ft. Lauderdale's high cost of living, exceeding 22% of the national average, posed a significant hurdle in attracting candidates who were not only qualified but also willing to relocate to the area. Additionally, finding a dedicated second-shift candidate and ensuring credible lean application expertise were critical requirements that needed to be met.
MFG Leaders successfully worked through a challenging HR system and provided the Sonny's team with 17 candidates, all of which earned interviews. They faced additional setbacks when two candidates rejected offers due to cost of living concerns. MFG Leaders leveraged their extensive network and deep industry knowledge to identify and attract the right talent, ultimately placing three highly qualified individuals who met Sonny's Enterprises' stringent criteria.
MFG Leaders primarily worked and partnered with Doug Frauenberger, who was Sonny's VP of Manufacturing Operations during most of the search and has since transitioned to leading the Product Management organization. Doug's collaboration and support during the recruitment process were pivotal, helping MFG Leaders navigate these challenges effectively.
Conclusion
MFG Leaders' success in placing Randy Adams, Gary Quarles, and Ryan Smith at Sonny's Enterprises underscores their commitment to delivering top-tier talent and supporting clients in their lean manufacturing journeys. These placements are a testament to MFG Leaders' ability to navigate complex recruitment challenges and secure candidates who bring unparalleled expertise and leadership to their new roles. With these strategic hires, Sonny's Enterprises is poised to achieve significant advancements in their lean manufacturing initiatives, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.