Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is an international mining and natural resources company. A member of the S&P 500 Index, the Company is a major global iron ore producer and a significant producer of high- and low-volatile metallurgical coal. Cliffs’ strategy is to continually achieve greater scale and diversification in the mining industry through a focus on serving the world’s largest and fastest growing steel markets. Driven by the core values of social, environmental and capital stewardship, Cliffs associates across the globe endeavor to provide all stakeholders operating and financial transparency.

The Company is organized through a global commercial group responsible for sales and delivery of Cliffs products and a global operations group responsible for the production of the minerals the Company markets. Cliffs operates iron ore and coal mines in North America and two iron ore mining complexes in Western Australia. The Company also has a 45% economic interest in a coking and thermal coal mine in Queensland, Australia. In addition, Cliffs has a major chromite project, in the pre-feasibility stage of development, located in Ontario, Canada.

Description

Northshore Mining Company, a subsidiary of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., is a taconite mining and processing facility located in Northern Minnesota. The mining facility is located in Babbitt, MN, and the processing plant is located in Silver Bay, MN, on the north shore of Lake Superior.

We have an immediate opening for a Business Improvement Manager. This position is located in Silver Bay, MN. Travel between Silver Bay and Babbitt sites, other Cliffs mine sites and other associated business travel will be required.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position will be responsible for leading and supporting Business Improvement Representatives in the introduction and implementation of business improvement systems, processes and technologies for Northshore Mining. The B.I. Manager will mentor B.I. Representatives on leading project teams to embed stability foundation and Cliff’s business improvement model at Northshore Mining.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

General responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Coaches, facilitates, guides and trains others in the understanding and application of Stability Foundation
• Implements Stability Foundation through use of 6 panels, 8 step process, L1, L2, & L3 reviews, Standard Work, Work Place Design, Action Cards, and other tools
• Coaches B.I. Representatives and company managers on design and improvements for their accountability review meetings
• Understands sound meeting principles, statistical data analysis and visual systems
• Applies Six Sigma tools and techniques to: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control project processes.
• Identify key individuals for team membership and secures their approval to become team members.
• Understands control charts linked to systems data and capable of describing the cause and effect
• Provides Stability Foundation guidance to B.I. Representatives so they can successfully lead project team members.
• Reports at least on a monthly basis to Champion and other leadership levels regarding project process.
• Prepares detailed plans to track project performance.
• Assures timely completion and achievement of quality and savings goals.
• Identifies barriers to project success and solicits help from Champions when needed.
• Attends required ongoing leadership development training to acquire needed skills to broaden the managerial skills set.
• Documents improvement processes and shares best practices with other Black Belts.
• Identifies and brings forward to Champion new project opportunities.
• Champions of safety – through safety interactions, safety meetings and by example.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in professional industry.
• Minimum of 5 years in manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Minimum of 3 years of proven managerial, supervisory and team leadership experience, with the ability to effectively influence and motivate others
• Must have previous change management experience and have demonstrated the ability to effectively lead change
• Computer Skills – must have strong computer skills and proficient in Microsoft Office software. Strong Excel and Access application, visual basic programming and database understanding
• Must achieve a passing score on Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Ellipse computerized assessment tests prior to interview
• Previous experience working with stability foundation implementation
• Previous working knowledge of the DMAIC problem solving method is preferred.
• Must be a champion of safe production methods & ideals. Promotes continuous improvement. Must understand and be able to communicate and implement safety, mine and MSHA rules, environmental policies and procedures and operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Must possess leadership skills necessary to direct the flow to multiple departments to keep business running efficiently and effectively. Must be able to deal with conflict effectively and develop good relationships, trust and respect with other employees.
• People Skills – must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and delegate. Must be willing to promote Northshore team concepts and be skilled in team solving techniques.
• Previous working knowledge of computer maintenance management systems is a plus.
• Organizational Skills – must have the ability to plan and coordinate multiple work tasks with a variety of employees, departments and outside contractors. Must be able to set goals and develop strategies and schedules to accomplish goals.
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to interact and communicate with all levels of the organization. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be willing to challenge the status quo, identify and pursue new ideas and opportunities to improve production, safety, add value, and/or solve problems.
• Decision Making Skills – must be able to think logically using factual data and structure ideas to influence others. Must make sound, timely decisions under conditions of uncertainty and risk. Must be able to multi-task and work well under stressful conditions.