Senior Continuous Improvement Leader

Job Summary

The Senior Continuous Improvement Leader will report directly to the Director of Logistics Operations, playing a crucial role in shaping operational excellence at Cognex. As a foundational member of our Continuous Improvement team, you will lead the development and deployment of innovative tools and methodologies that enhance workflows and drive efficiencies across the organization. Your expertise will be vital in consulting cross functional teams' application of theory of constraints to improve processes and accelerate business outcomes.

In this position, you will cultivate deep expertise in continuous improvement strategies and cost out/savings applications. You will engage and influence senior leaders, driving momentum for change while delivering measurable impact through cross-functional collaboration. This role offers significant career growth opportunities and advancement within the organization.

Essential Functions

• Develop and Implement Core Methodologies: Build and deploy essential continuous improvement tools to drive targeted results in our concept-to-customer, inquiry-to-order, and order-to-remittance processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Lead Complex Process Improvement Initiatives: Facilitate teams in setting and achieving improvement goals by leveraging benchmarks, thereby enhancing process performance and business outcomes.
• Manage Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain a rhythm of engagement with stakeholders, addressing challenges to ensure the sustainability of improvements and effective implementation.
• Facilitate Performance Assessment: Conduct assessments of performance data, interpreting analyses, and translating insights into actionable recommendations that support the adoption of continuous improvement practices.
• Identify Opportunities for Improvement: Use data-driven analytics to uncover process inefficiencies, communicate findings, and lead the integration of methodologies such as Kaizen for ongoing enhancements.
• Lead Change Management Initiatives: Utilize your advanced understanding of business dynamics and continuous improvement to guide change management efforts across multiple functions.
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Implementation: Oversee end-to-end implementation of improvements for complex processes, ensuring thorough documentation of workflows, controls, systems, and requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Expertise in Continuous Improvement Methodologies: Extensive understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen principles, with a proven ability to apply these methodologies in diverse business contexts.
• Data Analysis and Performance Metrics: Strong proficiency in using data analysis tools to assess and drive process improvements, coupled with the ability to translate data insights into strategic recommendations.
• Insight into Logistics and Operations: Comprehensive knowledge of operational excellence in dynamic business environments, enabling the identification of areas for improvement.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Exceptional capability to analyze complex processes and develop actionable solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Project and Change Management: Proficient in methodologies that drive the successful implementation of improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies.
• Team Engagement and Motivation: Proven ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to embrace a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Multi-Project Management: Capacity to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while maintaining focus on strategic business outcomes.
• Adaptability in Dynamic Environments: Demonstrated flexibility and resilience in responding to changing priorities and challenges within a fast-paced workplace.
• Critical Thinking: Rigorous critical thinking skills to dissect complex processes and identify improvement opportunities.
• Leadership and Facilitation: Proven track record in leading and facilitating cross-functional teams to achieve measurable business outcomes and sustain improvements.

Minimum Education and Work Experience Required

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field AND 8 years of relevant experience in process management, execution, optimization, or related areas (e.g., data analytics)
  OR Master's Degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field AND 6 years of relevant experience.
• Certifications: Lean, Business Process Management Professional, Change Management (e.g., Prosci), Six Sigma, and/or Agile certifications; Greenbelt or Blackbelt preferred.
• Travel Requirements: Ability to travel up to 50% to achieve key business outcomes.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cognex is an equal opportunity employer. Cognex evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.