Continuous Improvement Program Manager

King County•Seattle, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

King County’s Fleet Services Division seeks a Continuous Improvement Program Manager to partner with staff at all levels, lead improvement initiatives, and shape management systems supporting essential County services. The division manages approximately 3,000 vehicles and equipment assets, including acquisition, maintenance, repair, replacement, and disposal for County agencies. Its work also includes operating maintenance shops and storerooms, providing field support, and disposing of surplus personal property. The division’s mission is to provide exceptional customer service through equitable, sustainable, and dependable fleet solutions. This role applies continuous improvement principles in a complex operational environment, leads and coaches projects, develops project plans and training, supports data-driven reporting, and works with leaders to deploy management systems. The position also consults with teams on prioritization and leads updates to division policies and procedures. The recruitment is open to King County employees only. The position follows a hybrid work model, with a balance of office and telecommuting based on business needs. The primary onsite location is King Street Center in Seattle, Washington. Employees must reside in Washington state within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite and maintain a reliable home workspace and internet connection. The County provides a laptop. The role is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions, is not overtime eligible, and is non-represented.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience applying continuous improvement principles, such as Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA, or Kata, in complex operational environments.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and facilitate improvement projects with cross-functional teams.
Experience developing, managing, and executing project plans to deliver measurable results, including presenting data-driven reports for customers and leaders.
Skill in collaborating with leaders to design and deploy management systems, standard work, and performance management processes.
Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training on continuous improvement concepts, tools, and behaviors.
Experience preparing, analyzing, and presenting data-driven reports for customers and leaders.
Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills with staff at all levels.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency with common office and data tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices.
Must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance of the King County worksite.
Must maintain a home workspace with reliable internet access and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
The recruitment is open to King County employees only.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies, such as Lean Practitioner or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt.
Experience in fleet services, public sector operations, or a similar service-delivery environment.
Experience developing management systems such as tiered huddles, visual management, or leader standard work.
Experience with change management and coaching leaders through organizational change.
Familiarity with project management methodologies or certification, such as PMP or Agile experience.

Responsibilities

Work with Fleet Services Division staff at all levels to apply continuous improvement principles and behaviors.
Lead and coach improvement projects within Fleet Services Division and in collaboration with other King County agencies.
Create and execute project plans to achieve measurable results.
Collaborate with leaders to develop and deploy management systems.
Develop and deliver training on continuous improvement concepts, behaviors, and tools.
Collaborate in developing and delivering data-driven reports for customers and leaders.
Consult with teams on prioritization of improvement efforts.
Identify, recommend, and implement policy and process changes to support division operational plans.
Lead and manage regular updates to division policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.