Continuous Improvement Specialist

Bertelsmann-Jobs • Oakland, CA

1d • $72,000 - $82,000

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Lead is responsible for continually evaluating and enhancing processes, systems, and operations to meet evolving business needs and improve performance in a supply chain services environment. The role champions initiatives to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction using established continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and analytics. The site leader identifies improvement opportunities, leads projects, and works with cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable performance improvements.

The position leads and supports site continuous improvement initiatives, promotes the adoption of CI methods and tools, analyzes operations, manages projects, trains and coaches teams, reports outcomes to senior management, and engages customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. It also leads change initiatives and uses tools such as process mapping, root cause analysis, and statistical analysis. The role is evaluated through successful project delivery, measurable improvements in efficiency, satisfaction, and cost savings, and increased use of CI methods across the site.

The position calls for a resilient, proactive, organized leader who can motivate and coach a diverse workforce, manage multiple initiatives, navigate differing perspectives, and achieve results through others. A bachelor's degree in a related discipline and five years of related experience or an equivalent combination are specified. Relevant experience includes Lean processes in manufacturing or supply chain, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, and lean tools and practices. High-Tech, SAP, and warehousing, transportation, and customer-clearance knowledge are strongly preferred. The posted annual compensation range is USD 72,000–82,000.

Requirements

• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven experience in the supply chain or logistics sector.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate and influence at different organizational levels and achieve results through other people and departments.
• Proficiency in data analytics tools and software.
• Lean experience and strong knowledge of Lean processes and methodologies in a manufacturing and/or supply chain environment.
• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in logistics, industrial engineering, or project engineering, and five years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Value Stream Mapping and facilitating Kaizen events, and knowledge of continuous flow, setup reduction, pull systems, TPM, and 5S.
• Ability to coach individuals or small teams, manage multiple projects, and apply conflict-management skills.
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Ability to solve practical problems in a team context and objectively observe, reflect, and draw conclusions.
• Ability to handle a diverse range of initiatives and work with a diverse workforce.
• Fully versed in Total Quality Management (TQM) techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups.
• Ability to work with probability, statistical inference, geometry, trigonometry, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Ability to solve practical problems involving limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
• Knowledge of the basic Microsoft Office suite.

Nice To Haves

• Black Belt or Green Belt training.
• At least one year of experience working with High-Tech companies.
• At least one year of SAP experience.
• Working knowledge of warehousing, transportation, and customer-clearance fundamentals.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
• Elevated Excel capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support all site-related continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure adoption and utilization of continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
• Drive sustainable improvements in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and cost reduction.
• Evaluate current processes and operations to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Lead and oversee continuous improvement projects from inception to completion.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and secure their participation and buy-in for projects.
• Mentor, coach, and train teams on methodologies and tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Present progress, findings, and outcomes to senior management.
• Engage customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to gather feedback and align initiatives with business needs.
• Lead change initiatives, support smooth transitions, and mitigate resistance.
• Use process mapping, root cause analysis, statistical analysis, and other tools to drive improvements.
• Coach individuals and small groups or teams, manage multiple projects, and apply conflict-management skills.
• Motivate and develop employees and work collaboratively across departments to achieve results.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability pay.
• 401(k) with company matching up to 6%.
• Paid time off, including paid holidays.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Voluntary benefits such as legal and financial assistance and pet insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and training.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee engagement activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior