Kanban
Kanban is a way of organizing work that comes from Japanese car manufacturing, particularly Toyota. It's like a traffic control system for the factory floor that helps manage inventory and production schedules. The word itself means "visual signal" or "card" in Japanese. Think of it as a real-time ordering system - instead of making lots of parts in advance, teams only produce what's needed when it's needed. This helps prevent excess inventory and reduces waste. While it started in car manufacturing, many other industries now use this approach to manage their work. When you see this term in resumes, it usually means the person has experience with lean manufacturing methods and efficient production systems.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Kanban system that reduced inventory costs by 30%
Managed production line using Kanban and Just-in-Time methods
Led team of 15 operators in transition to Kanban manufacturing system
Typical job title: "Production Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Production Managers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How have you implemented Kanban systems in previous roles and what were the results?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in planning and leading full system implementation, measuring improvements in efficiency, reducing waste, and managing change across teams. They should mention specific metrics like inventory reduction or production speed increases.
Q: How do you handle resistance when transitioning a traditional production line to a Kanban system?
Expected Answer: Strong answers will include examples of change management, worker training programs, demonstrating benefits through pilot programs, and strategies for getting buy-in from both workers and management.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Explain how you would set up a Kanban system for a new production line
Expected Answer: Should describe practical steps like analyzing production flow, determining card quantities, setting up visual boards, training staff, and establishing reorder points.
Q: What metrics do you use to measure Kanban system effectiveness?
Expected Answer: Should mention inventory levels, production lead times, defect rates, and on-time delivery performance as key measurements.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is Kanban and why is it used in manufacturing?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic concept of pull-based production system, visual management, and how it helps reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Q: What's the difference between push and pull production systems?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding that push systems make products based on forecasts, while pull systems (like Kanban) produce based on actual customer demand.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of Kanban principles
- Ability to use visual management boards
- Knowledge of inventory management basics
- Understanding of production scheduling
Mid (2-5 years)
- Implementation of Kanban systems
- Team coordination and training
- Problem-solving on production floor
- Performance tracking and reporting
Senior (5+ years)
- Full system design and implementation
- Change management leadership
- Process optimization expertise
- Cross-functional team management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on manufacturing experience
- Lack of understanding of basic inventory management
- Poor communication skills for shop floor coordination
- No experience with process improvement methods
Related Terms
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