Kaizen Team Member

TOYOTA BOSHOKU TENNESSEE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title:	Kaizen Team Member	Date Written:	10/5/2026
Position Reports To:	Kaizen Group Leader	Revised:	10/5/2026

Primary Objective

Safely implement practical process improvements that make work easier, more efficient, better organized, and more effective. Work with self-direction and under the daily direction of the Kaizen Team Leader to complete improvements identified through personal observation, Team Member suggestions, and management direction. Apply fabrication skills, process observation, data collection, and Toyota Production System (TPS) methods while communicating project status and needs to the Kaizen Group Leader.

Major Responsibilities

• Complete approved process Kaizens from initial observation and measurement through fabrication, installation, follow-up, and confirmation of results.
• Identify improvement opportunities through direct process observation and recommend practical countermeasures that improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, material flow, information flow, ergonomics, and workplace organization.
• Implement approved Kaizen suggestions submitted by plant Team Members and support timely communication and follow-up with the requesting area.
• Complete management-directed Kaizen activities and special projects according to the approved scope, priority, timing, and safety requirements.
• Work independently on assigned projects while receiving daily work direction and priorities from the Kaizen Team Leader and reporting overall progress, issues, and resource needs to the Kaizen Group Leader.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments before performing work that affects process flow, layout, material presentation, ergonomics, or workplace organization.
• Maintain accurate measurements, sketches, material lists, data, work records, and before-and-after project results.
• Promote teamwork, respect for people, 5S, visual management, waste reduction, cost awareness, and continuous improvement.

Process Kaizen and Fabrication Responsibilities

• Safely fabricate, assemble, modify, and install approved carts, racks, tables, fixtures, signs, material-presentation devices, workplace-organization aids, and similar improvement items.
• Use approved hand tools, power tools, fabrication equipment, and shop equipment in accordance with training and established safe-work requirements.
• Accurately use measurement tools, including tape measures, calipers, squares, levels, scales, and other approved devices required for project work.
• Read and interpret basic layouts, sketches, work instructions, project plans, and fabrication drawings.
• Confirm project measurements, materials, installation conditions, hazards, approvals, and affected work areas before beginning fabrication or installation.
• Support approved workstation, storage, material-route, material-presentation, visual-control, and non-powered layout improvements.
• Inspect completed work for fit, function, workmanship, safety, quality, ergonomics, and housekeeping before release for use.
• Maintain shop tools, consumables, materials, drawings, and work areas in a clean, organized, and serviceable condition.
• Do not perform unauthorized mechanical or electrical modifications to production machinery. Escalate machine modifications, controls changes, machine-function guarding changes, utility connections, and other technical work to the Kaizen Team Leader or Kaizen Group Leader for coordination with the authorized function.

Special Projects and TPS Development

• Support special projects involving material flow, information flow, workplace layout, visual management, lighting improvement activities, ergonomic improvements, and plant organization.
• Collect accurate process data and document current and improved conditions to support fact-based decisions and confirmation of results.
• Learn and apply TPS-related skills, including process observation, time studies, lead-time calculations, waste identification, standardized work concepts, 5S, visual management, material-flow analysis, and basic problem solving.
• Participate in Kaizen events, trials, project reviews, and follow-up activities as assigned.
• Provide practical input based on shop-floor observations and communicate concerns, delays, abnormal conditions, and improvement ideas promptly.

Safety Responsibilities

• Make safety the highest priority in the planning and execution of every Kaizen activity and special project.
• Follow all company safety rules, required PPE, safe-work procedures, and applicable lockout/tagout, hot-work, machine-guarding, fall-protection, and mobile-equipment requirements.
• Stop work and immediately notify the Kaizen Team Leader or Kaizen Group Leader when a condition is unsafe, outside the team’s authorization, or not properly approved.
• Identify hazards before work begins and ensure completed improvements do not introduce new safety, ergonomic, quality, or operational risks.
• Protect Team Members, equipment, and company property during fabrication, installation, testing, and project clean-up activities.
• Maintain clean and orderly shop and project work areas and properly store tools, materials, and waste.

Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Previous manufacturing, fabrication, maintenance, production-support, or continuous-improvement experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated fabrication ability and mechanical aptitude are required.
• Ability to accurately use common measurement tools and perform basic layout and measurement calculations is required.
• Welding skills and experience are preferred.
• Ability to read basic sketches, layouts, work instructions, and fabrication drawings.
• Ability to work with self-direction, manage assigned tasks, maintain accurate records, and communicate clearly with Team Members, supervision, and supporting departments.
• Willingness and ability to learn TPS methods, time studies, lead-time calculations, data collection, standardized work concepts, and related continuous-improvement skills.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to enter data and use plant-approved communication and tracking systems, are preferred.
• Ability to support fixed or rotating shifts and overtime as business needs require.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

• Work is performed in shop and manufacturing-floor environments with exposure to noise, moving equipment, fabrication activities, material-handling traffic, lighting work areas, and variable temperatures.
• Requires regular walking and standing, with bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, pushing, pulling, and handling tools or materials within safe-lifting practices.
• Requires assigned PPE and compliance with all applicable fabrication, installation, material-handling, and safe-work requirements.

Measures of Successful Performance

• Safe and timely completion of assigned process Kaizens, Team Member suggestions, management-directed activities, and special projects.
• Quality fabrication and installation work that meets the approved need and applicable safety, quality, ergonomic, and operational expectations.
• Measurable improvements in process safety, flow, waste reduction, workplace organization, productivity, or ease of work.
• Accurate measurements, project records, data collection, and before-and-after documentation.
• Demonstrated self-direction, teamwork, communication, dependable follow-through, and appropriate escalation of risks or barriers.
• Continued development and practical application of TPS and continuous-improvement knowledge.