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Ashley Global Retail · 2 months ago

Idea Network Evaluator

Leesport, Pennsylvania, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

2+ years exp

Ashley Global Retail is the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, and they are seeking an Idea Network Evaluator to manage and facilitate the Idea Network program. This role involves evaluating employee-generated improvement ideas, collaborating with various departments to implement these ideas, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.

E-CommerceFurnitureLifestyleRetail

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Receive and review employee-submitted ideas through the Idea Network platform

Conduct initial evaluation of ideas for feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with company goals

Collaborate with appropriate department leaders (Manufacturing, Maintenance, Engineering, Safety, Quality, etc.) to assess technical viability and implementation requirements

Prioritize ideas based on safety impact, cost savings potential, quality improvement, and ease of implementation

Ensure timely response and feedback to employees who submit ideas

Track idea status from submission through implementation and close-out

Work with manufacturing supervisors, managers, and operators to refine and develop submitted ideas

Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality teams to validate technical aspects of proposed improvements

Partner with Finance to calculate cost-benefit analysis and ROI for significant improvement ideas

Facilitate communication between idea originators and implementation teams

Present ideas and recommendations to leadership for approval and resource allocation

Develop implementation plans for approved ideas, including timelines, resource requirements, and success metrics

Support teams in executing approved improvements, providing project coordination as needed

Monitor implementation progress and troubleshoot obstacles

Verify that improvements achieve intended results and document outcomes

Ensure proper recognition and rewards are provided to employees whose ideas are implemented

Maintain accurate records of all submitted ideas in the Idea Network database/system

Track key metrics including submission rates, approval rates, implementation rates, cost savings, and cycle times

Generate regular reports on Idea Network performance for management review

Analyze trends in idea submissions to identify common themes or systemic opportunities

Document lessons learned and best practices for idea generation and implementation

Promote the Idea Network program throughout the facility to encourage participation

Educate employees on how to submit ideas and what types of improvements are valuable

Celebrate successes and recognize employees whose ideas drive meaningful improvement

Organize Idea Network events, contests, or campaigns to drive engagement

Share success stories and examples of implemented ideas through communication channels (team meetings, bulletin boards, newsletters, etc.)

Foster a culture where all employees feel empowered to identify and suggest improvements

Identify barriers to idea submission and work to eliminate them

Coach employees on problem-solving techniques and how to develop actionable improvement ideas

Support leadership in building continuous improvement capabilities across the organization

Align Idea Network activities with broader Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence initiatives

Ensure Idea Network processes comply with company policies and procedures

Maintain confidentiality of proprietary improvement ideas and sensitive information

Adhere to safety protocols when evaluating or supporting implementation of ideas

Manage budget for idea rewards and recognition programs (if applicable)

Support audits or reviews of the Idea Network program

Qualification

Continuous improvementManufacturing operationsLean ManufacturingProject managementSix SigmaTechnical drawing interpretationData analysisMicrosoft Office SuiteCommunication skillsProblem-solvingOrganizational skillsTeam collaboration

Required

High school diploma or equivalent required

Minimum 2-3 years experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, or continuous improvement roles

Understanding of manufacturing operations, equipment, and processes

Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, process flows, and work instructions

Basic financial acumen to calculate cost savings and ROI

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate idea feasibility

Ability to assess technical, operational, and financial aspects of improvement proposals

Root cause analysis and problem-solving capabilities

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Active listening skills to understand employee ideas and concerns

Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple ideas and projects simultaneously

Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and tracking

Time management and prioritization abilities

Passion for continuous improvement and innovation

Positive, encouraging attitude that motivates employee participation

Self-motivated with ability to work independently

Adaptability and flexibility in fast-paced manufacturing environment

Preferred

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred

Experience with continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, suggestion systems) preferred

Project coordination or project management experience preferred

Familiarity with furniture manufacturing processes preferred but not required

Experience with database systems, idea management software, or CMMS platforms preferred

Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies

Company

Ashley Global Retail

Who We Are: Ashley is the largest furniture store brand in North America—a distinction we’ve held since 2005.

Founded in 1945

Arcadia, Wisconsin, USA

10001+ employees

https://www.ashleyfurniture.com/

H1B Sponsorship

Ashley Global Retail has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2022 (1)

2021 (1)

2020 (1)