Talita Gonzaga
Granger
Summary
Lean Manager with extensive experience at Southwire Company, LLC, implementing continuous improvement initiatives that significantly increased operational efficiency and employee engagement. Proficient in Lean strategy and training, leveraging A3 problem-solving and visual management systems to deliver substantial cost savings and process optimization. Committed to cultivating a culture of excellence and driving sustainable results.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Lean Manager
Southwire Company, LLC
Bremen
01.2023 - Current
- Lead Lean strategy and continuous improvement initiatives for a campus of over 600 employees.
- Manage a lean team of three direct reports, guiding the rollout of daily management and visual controls.
- Conduct VSM, process analysis, and bottleneck elimination to improve flow and throughput.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
- Facilitated cross-functional workshops to promote lean methodologies.
- Analyzed workflows and identified areas for process optimization.
- Trained teams on lean principles and best practices for productivity.
- Collaborated with management to implement cost-saving strategies.
- Developed training materials focused on lean tools and techniques.
- Conducted regular audits to ensure adherence to process standards.
- Mentored employees in problem-solving techniques and team collaboration skills.
- Recommended process improvements to enhance operational safety and efficiency.
- Provided training on lean principles, tools, and techniques to all levels of staff.
- Analyzed performance metrics to track the success of Lean initiatives, adjusting strategies to meet changing needs.
- Championed a Lean mindset among staff, leading to an increase in employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Coordinated Lean project portfolios, prioritizing initiatives based on potential impact and resource availability.
- Developed and executed Lean training programs for over 680 employees, enhancing team performance and competence.
- Developed and executed Lean training programs for over XXX employees, enhancing team performance and competence.
- Developed visual management systems including Kanban boards, pull systems.
- Identified areas of process improvement through value stream mapping and root cause analysis.
- Utilized root cause analysis to solve complex operational issues, increasing productivity.
- Engaged in benchmarking activities to compare Lean practices with industry standards, identifying areas for improvement.
- Facilitated kaizen events, driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employee engagement in problem solving activities.
- Implement Lean and Six Sigma tools to improve quality, reduce waste, and optimize performance.
- Develop and deliver Lean training to production and support teams.
- Provided guidance on best practices when it comes to implementing new lean programs or initiatives.
Lean Engineer
Schaeffler Group USA Inc.
Wooster
05.2016 - 12.2022
- Brought to Wooster specifically to implement Daily Management and Problem-Solving methodologies.
- Rolled out Shop Floor Management (Direct and Indirect) across a site with over 2,000 employees.
- Designed and implemented visual management systems and QCDM metrics at the plant level.
- Conducted internal audits, and coordinated external Lean audits (Region and HQ, Germany).
- Provided coaching in Lean tools, A3 Problem Solving, and CI methods to leaders and teams.
- Performed VSM, SMED, line balancing, and process flow workshops in machining and assembly.
- Project Manager for multiple automation initiatives across machining and assembly areas.
- Contributed to over $3 million in savings from CI and automation projects.
Lean Coordinator
Schaeffler Brasil Ltda.
Sorocaba
01.2007 - 04.2016
- Coordinated Lean activities for a large manufacturing site of 2,000–5,000 employees.
- Developed TPM strategy with Operations and Maintenance; coordinated loss prevention initiatives.
- Rolled out Daily Management, SFM, JFM, and Problem Solving across 60+ production and support areas.
- Led Kaizen events: SMED, Takt Time, Balancing, Material Flow, FIFO, PDCA, MUDA Walks.
- Managed the MOVE/Lean Review process for 19 manufacturing segments, reporting to HQ in Germany.
- Project Manager for major Supply Route & Kanban implementation (6 assembly lines): VSM, layout optimization, supermarket concept, Kanban loops, Milk Run deployment.
- Coordinated Lean training at the Lean Academy, developing multipliers and trainers.
- Coached leaders after benchmarking Lean practices across Europe.
Intern – TPM / Lean / Process Engineering
Schaeffler Brasil Ltda.
Sorocaba
06.2004 - 12.2006
- Coordinated TPM workshops and scheduling.
- Delivered Lean training for production and maintenance teams.
- Performed metrics tracking for CI and workshop results.
Engineering Intern
Dana Incorporated
Sorocaba
01.2004 - 06.2004
- Conducted time and motion studies; developed cell layout improvements.
Education
Mechanical Technologist -
UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista
Sorocaba, Brazil01.2006
Skills
- Lean Strategy & Deployment
- Daily Management
- SFM
- JFM
- Kaizen
- PDCA
- A3 Problem Solving
- VSM
- SMED
- Setup Reduction
- TPM
- OEE Improvement
- Flow Optimization
- FIFO
- Kanban
- One-Piece Flow
- Supermarket
- Time Studies
- Line Balancing
- Cell Design
- KPI Development
- QCDM
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- SAP
- Minitab
- Smartsheet
- Tableau
- Oden Reports
- Project Management
- Automation Projects
- Sustainability
- Waste Reduction
- Training
- Coaching
- Lean Academy
- Value stream mapping
- Lean methodology
- Continuous improvement
- Visual management systems
- A3 problem solving
- Manufacturing efficiency
- Process optimization
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership
- Employee training
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Change management
- Project management
- Poka-yoke techniques
- Andon system
- Customer focus
- Training and coaching
- Quality management
- Kaizen events
- Standard work development
- Operational excellence
- Cycle time reduction
- Visual management
- Waste elimination
- Strategic thinking
- Team building and motivation
- Excellent communication
- Goal setting
- Time management
Accomplishments
- Led Lean transformations across several sites with 2,000–5,000+ employees.
- Delivered over $3M in savings from process improvements and automation projects.
- Implemented full Shop Floor Management structures (Direct & Indirect).
- Rolled out TPM, Daily Management, and Lean systems across manufacturing and support functions.
- Developed multipliers and trained hundreds of team members via Lean Academy.
- Successfully deployed Kanban, Milk Run, SMED, and flow improvements in multiple segments.
Global Experience
- Living in the USA since 2016 (Ohio & Indiana).
- Professional visits to USA (2015), Europe (2012, 2014).
- Lean/MOVE Reviews and benchmarking across Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania.
- Delivered SFM, Kaizen, and process optimization workshops globally.
Languages
- Portuguese, Native
- English, Native
- Spanish, Elementary
Certifications And Advanced Training
- Six Sigma Green Belt, 80 hours, 2013
- ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor, Georgia Tech, 2023
- Lean Training, MOVE Review, Lean Factory, MOVE Light, Lean Office, VSM, SFM, PDCA, SMED
- TPM Loss Prevention, 40 hours
- Immersive Lean Leadership Training, 48 hours
- Multiple technical and manufacturing conferences, SAE, Schaeffler
Core Lean And Technical Skills
- Lean Strategy & Deployment
- Daily Management / SFM / JFM
- Kaizen, PDCA, A3 Problem Solving
- VSM (Current, Future, Design State)
- SMED / Setup Reduction
- TPM, OEE Improvement
- Flow Optimization (FIFO, Kanban, One-Piece Flow, Supermarket)
- Time Studies, Line Balancing, Cell Design
- KPI Development (QCDM)
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- SAP
- Minitab
- Smartsheet
- Tableau
- Oden Reports
- Project Management
- Automation Projects
- Sustainability & Waste Reduction
- Training & Coaching (Lean Academy)
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Portuguese
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Professional
Certification
• Six Sigma Green Belt
Timeline
Lean Manager
Southwire Company, LLC
01.2023 - Current
Lean Engineer
Schaeffler Group USA Inc.
05.2016 - 12.2022
Lean Coordinator
Schaeffler Brasil Ltda.
01.2007 - 04.2016
Intern – TPM / Lean / Process Engineering
Schaeffler Brasil Ltda.
06.2004 - 12.2006
Engineering Intern
Dana Incorporated
01.2004 - 06.2004
Mechanical Technologist -
UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista