Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture!

The Idea Network Evaluator plays a critical role in Ashley Furniture's continuous improvement culture by managing and facilitating the Idea Network program. This position is responsible for receiving, evaluating, implementing, and tracking employee-generated improvement ideas across manufacturing operations. The Idea Network Evaluator serves as a catalyst for innovation, ensuring that valuable employee insights are captured, assessed, and translated into operational improvements that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency.

Key Responsibilities Idea Management & Evaluation 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 Cross-Functional Collaboration 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 Implementation Support 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 Data Management & Reporting 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 Program Promotion & Employee Engagement 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.) Continuous Improvement Culture 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 Administrative & Compliance 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 Qualifications Education High school diploma or equivalent required Associate or Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred Experience Minimum 2-3 years experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, or continuous improvement roles 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 Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills:

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) Experience with database systems, idea management software, or CMMS platforms preferred Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies

Analytical & Problem-Solving:

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 Data analysis and reporting skills

Communication & Interpersonal:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences Active listening skills to understand employee ideas and concerns Presentation skills for sharing ideas and results with leadership Relationship-building and collaboration across all organizational levels

Organizational & Project Management:

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 Follow-through and accountability for driving ideas to completion

Personal Attributes:

Passion for continuous improvement and innovation Positive, encouraging attitude that motivates employee participation Curiosity and open-mindedness to new ideas and perspectives Patience and persistence in navigating organizational processes Self-motivated with ability to work independently Adaptability and flexibility in fast-paced manufacturing environment

Who We Are

At Ashley, we’re more than a business…we’re family. As the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, we know what it takes to build incredible furniture and future leaders. We’re problem solvers with the grit to persevere during challenging times and innovators who won't coast when times are good. We create solutions, not excuses. And never settle for the status quo. It’s the reason we’re always searching for better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. That's why Ashley Furniture is #1 in our industry.

Ready to grow? You’ve come to the right place. Ashley Furniture has a “Growth Mindset”, and once you join our team, you’ll learn from the best in the business.

Apply today and find your home at Ashley!

Our Core Values:

Honesty & Integrity

Without hesitation, uses candor and is direct in communication Is tough-minded in working in and meeting the demands of reality Always tells the truth and follows through on commitments

Passion, Drive, Discipline

Enjoys working hard and pursues work with energy, drive, and willpower to finish Is disciplined in developing consistency into work processes Is focused and relentless in achieving goals

Continuous Improvement/Operational Excellence

Fights to take costs and waste out of the system Seeks to understand "why" something works the way it does, and through study and improvement determines how to better all processes and systems Strives for more in all areas of work by developing measurements, setting goals, and then working on ways to exceed goals through problem-solving methods that look beyond the obvious

Dirty Fingernail

​Does not rely on reports to run the business, but rather goes to the work that is being done and sees if the work is being done right for him/herself Has an insatiable curiosity and takes a "Go and See" approach to understand the current state of the business and the competitive realities Takes a hands-on approach to tackle problems and demonstrates critical thinking through use of effective questioning…asking the 5 "Whys"

Growth Focused

Understands the customer’s needs and wants, then challenges current ways of doing business that inhibits growth and organizes work to meet those needs Is competitive by studying the competition and is aggressive in looking for ways to beat them Strives to be the BEST by improving the quality of processes, reducing costs, doing more business, being profitable, and growing the business​

 

To learn more about Ashley Furniture, our community engagement programs, environmental stewardship, and our core values, please visit our Corporate Social Responsibility information page:

Corporate Social Responsibility