Continuous Improvement Leader

Operational Excellence Leader

Leads the scoping, prioritization, resourcing, facilitation, and execution of cross-enterprise value stream process improvements. Leads the development, deployment and maturity of the Western & Southern (W&S) Operational Excellence (OpEx) system across the enterprise. This position will collaborate with BU and SSU leaders, as well as the leaders of enterprise change disciplines and initiatives to ensure a holistic view of process improvement that utilizes the entire OpEx Model to deliver value efficiently. This role will work with enterprise leaders to identify improvement opportunities that have significant impact to the enterprise's financial position. Coaches and develops OpEx leads to drive the development and execution of standard operating practices supporting the business and shared service units financial and operational goals. It will link up the individual OpEx deployment areas to provide transparency and awareness of inefficiencies across value streams and work with leaders to prioritize and resource the improvement initiatives. It will then assume ownership of the initiative to ensure execution and implementation by acting not only as facilitator of the improvement event but also project manager of the resulting action plan.

Responsibilities

What you will do:

• Partner with enterprise unit and change leaders to identify value stream process improvement opportunities
• Research current state of the value streams and collect data in order to fully understand scope, interdependencies, and potential benefit
• Work with enterprise leaders to quantify expected benefits, prioritize initiatives and obtain approval and resources to move forward
• Scope, plan and facilitate Kaizen events (or other process improvement activities) to achieve expected benefits. Ensure the most appropriate change disciplines (Continuous Improvement, Knowledge Management, Automation, Customer Experience, etc) are used in solutions.
• Function as project manager, using standard PM tools, to ensure timely execution of action plans and realization of benefit
• Prepare and deliver status updates and final report-outs to enterprise leaders highlighting process changes and benefits achieved
• Ensure organizational change management best practices are considered throughout responsibilities
• Proactively pursue self-development and improvement in skill sets on a continual basis
• Provides excellent customer service and searches for ways to increase customer satisfaction
• Coaches and trains leaders, managers associates and OpEx leads on the importance (why) and use (how) of OpEx systems, processes and tools to develop a culture of operational excellence
• Guides OpEx maturity in the business with a hands-on approach to development and sustainment of tools, processes and systems as well as development of OpEx Leads.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree In Business Management/Administration or equivalent experience - Required
• 3-5 years of experience utilizing continuous improvement tools (Lean, Six Sigma) to improve process efficiency and deliver customer value including facilitation of Kaizen events - Required
• Demonstrated experience maintaining a calm and professional demeanor when handling demanding situations - Required
• Demonstrated influence with leaders and associates, including gaining the confidence and trust of others, sharing ideas in a compelling manner that gains commitment from others, and finding common ground and acceptable alternatives that satisfy the needs of multiple stakeholders. - Required
• Outstanding communication skills, including listening, presenting, speaking and writing, adjusting communication content and style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. - Required
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to conceptualize, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data and information to draw accurate conclusions and make sound decisions. - Required
• Organizational courage to hold peers and others accountable for results - Required
• Willingness and eagerness to learn new concepts and break old paradigms - Required
• Demonstrated strong customer focus and work ethic. - Required
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including coaching, providing direction, influencing and guiding team members to a recommended course of action. - Required
• Demonstrated history of executing with urgency, proficiency, and passion. - Required
• Proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications. - Required
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)-PMI - Preferred
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - Preferred

Work Setting/Position Demands:

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.

Travel Requirements:

• None