Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Process Improvement Manager
Career Level: Manager
Job Specialty: High Risk Analysis
What You'll Do
The Performance Improvement team, within the Performance Assurance organization, sponsors deployment of the Continuous Improvement (CI) Program, provides skilled continuous improvement facilitation, analyzes high-risk systems, and provides data analytics and visualization. The purpose of performance improvement is to provide the framework and processes to drive an enduring, self-sustaining culture where all members of the workforce are fully engaged and empowered to continually solve problems and improve work processes. Additionally, the team strengthens the use of data analytics to improve understanding of what has happened (descriptive analytics), why it happened (diagnostic analytics), and what may happen (predictive analytics). Performance Improvement evaluates high-risk systems, programs, processes, activities, etc., to identify performance vulnerabilities/gaps, and make programmatic recommendations to mitigate. The Performance Improvement Manager is responsible for developing and managing a subset of the Y-12 Performance Improvement staff, leading improvement program deployment at Y-12, and collaborating with the Contractor Assurance and Performance Assurance leadership teams on strategy and structure.
- Partner with the Y-12 Performance Improvement Director to strengthen and sustain the continuous improvement culture at Y-12 while achieving long-term safe, secure, and efficient site mission performance.
- Provide leadership, technical direction, and oversight for Black Belt staff. Responsible for training, developing, monitoring performance, and ensuring goals are met.
- Scope Y-12 improvement initiatives and consulting needs. Advise on strategic direction, project selection, and resource allocation.
- Provide consistent support, updates, and feedback for projects. Monitor velocity and return on investment/risk burndown. Ensure CIPitory data integrity.
- Provide proposals, cost estimates, schedules, and related documents to meet customer and organizational needs.
- Coordinate with customers/stakeholders and management on a wide range of technical issues, requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support Escalation, Value Stream Element Teams (VSETs), and Value Stream Organizations (VSOs).
- Support CI training for the Y-12 workforce, including Continuous Improvement Essentials (CIE) and Continuous Improvement for Enabling Leaders (CIEL).
- Mentor VSET leads and CI leaders to facilitate continuous improvement activity and develop a sustainable CI culture.
- Ensure high quality Black Belt training and certification.
- Maintain proficiency in the latest CI and Systems Analysis approaches.
- Anticipate/meet/exceed customer expectations by solving problems quickly and effectively.
- Adhere to all safety/health rules and regulations; comply/follow all procedures within the company security and ethics policies.
What You Can Expect
- Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
- Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
- Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
- Career advancement and professional development programs
- Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience.
- Experienced in the fundamentals and principles of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Industrial/Systems Engineering.
- Experienced with adult learning practices and techniques.
- Experienced in change management, project management, and financial management.
- Excellent leadership skills with ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations.
- Project and facilitation experience in a heavily matrixed environment.
- Ability to build coalitions across the enterprise, including the NNSA customer, to achieve common goals and enable mission.
- Business acumen to effectively manage human resources, working with internal customers to prioritize support efforts, financial performance, and information resources.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals, groups, and executives. Ability to express facts and ideas in writing in a clear, convincing, and organized manner.
Preferred Job Requirements
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification by recognized organizations in the industry (e.g. ASQ, Gemba Academy, higher education institution, CNS, or parent company).
- Prior management experience.
- Experience leading change in a heavily regulated environment.
