Lean Focus Color Bar
Lean Focus Color Bar - Mobile

JIM LITTLE

Vice President, Operations Practice

With over two decades of cross-functional leadership in tier one automotive components and appliances, Jim is an executive leader dedicated to guiding clients through strategic opportunities, addressing business challenges, and instilling a culture of employee engagement using lean-based Business System principles. His journey with lean and the Toyota Production System began with developing components for the General Motors and Toyota Joint Venture, NUMMI, where he continued learning through kaizen activities under the coaching of Sensei from the Toyota Supplier Support Center and the Shingijutsu Group. Jim and his teams applied lean principles to achieve breakthrough results in brownfield transformations and greenfield facility development.

Jim’s expertise extends to consulting, where he has steered lean transformation journeys in various industries, including discrete and continuous process manufacturing, as well as transactional and business services. Notably, two military clients earned the Shingo Prize Public Sector Awards (Gold and Silver) for Lean Manufacturing Excellence through their collaboration with Jim.


A graduate of the University of Cincinnati (BS, Mechanical Engineering) and Stanford University (MS, Engineering Management), Jim is a skilled international professional, having spent nine years working in Mexico and becoming fluent in business Spanish. His commitment to operational excellence and extensive track record make him a trusted partner for organizations navigating lean transformations and strategic growth initiatives.

Jim Little’s Industry Experience

AUTOMOTIVE

METAL PROCESSING

ELECTRICAL UTILITIES

CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS

DURABLE CONSUMER PRODUCTS

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL (MRO)

GREENFIELD PROJECTS AND NEW FACILITY START-UPS

TURNAROUNDS AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM / ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

FINANCIAL SERVICES

PRODUCT DESIGN

QUALITY

& MORE