Continuous Improvement Specialist

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for identifying opportunities for improvement in IMRF’s processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste and increase internal and external customer satisfaction. This role provides support in continuous improvement and IMRF’s Journey of Excellence initiatives, with the primary focus on using metrics and data analytics to drive recommendations through implementation and maintenance. This role may also conduct workshops, coaching, and mentoring to educate and grow the continuous process improvement capabilities of our staff members.

This position will typically be deployed to business units to support improvement initiatives and IMRF’s project portfolio using project management and Lean-Six Sigma techniques and practices. The Continuous Improvement Specialist will also assist with intra departmental initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

· Conduct process mapping and performance monitoring to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of current operations; review existing and new procedures/controls to identify waste and build plans and organize teams to change.

· Planning and executing Kaizen events and improvement projects to eliminate waste from processes or assist in defining processes resulting in improved productivity.

· Training/coaching staff members in assigned areas on problem solving behaviors, the use of IMRF’s IAPI process, and basic Lean principles.

· Fostering a culture of change by training, developing and coaching employees to adopt Lean principles

· Perform and manage complex analysis to determine process improvement opportunities, evaluate alternatives, and prioritize process redesign efforts.

· Design and develop Lean and continuous improvement tool kits to assist leaders in managing their departments and standardizing operations.

· Support achievement of the organization’s Journey of Excellence, Vision and Strategic Objectives through an understanding of the Baldrige Framework.

· Support the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Program.

· Foster a positive, team centered culture in support of our Values and individual accountability (Change Agent).

· Train as a TPE Examiner and use that experience to assist with Organizational Excellence initiatives related to Baldrige.

· Conduct research for the Organizational Excellence Department when requested. This may involve researching CPI best practices in and outside of the industry that may assist IMRF in its Journey of Excellence and accomplishment of the Strategic Plan.

· Other duties of similar scope and complexity as requested.

Education and/or Experience

· Bachelors’ degree required

· 5 years’ related work experience in a business environment with a proven track record of performance

· Extensive knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma Methodologies and their associated tools, acquired through education/training/testing

· Strong analytical skills; ability to analyze large sets of data and draw conclusions

· Experience with coaching, training, teaching and team building

· Six Sigma Green Belt preferred

· Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) or project management experience a plus

· Experience with Customer Journey Mapping, Service Blueprinting, and/or User Research experience a plus

· Certified Lean Practitioner a plus

· Proficiency in MSOffice Suite, including Excel (formulas, calculations, charts, graphs, pivot tables, macros, etc.)

The expected annual salary range for this role is $81,000 - $93,000. Please note the salary information is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. The range listed is just one component of IMRF's total compensation package for employees.

Other factors include the following benefits:

· Pension, death, and disability benefits as a member of IMRF

· Generous insurance benefits, including medical and dental

· 35-hour base work week, Monday-Friday. Ability to work one day remote, per week, after 6 months of hire.

· Paid vacation, paid sick, 12-13 paid holidays and 2 personal days

· Tuition reimbursement

· Business casual attire