Continuous Improvement Strategist

Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.•Santa Fe Springs, CA

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Strategist serves as the primary driver of operational change and process standardization across the North American Distribution network. While the Senior Manager sets the strategic vision, this role is responsible for the end-to-end execution of improvement initiatives. By leveraging data mining and process mapping, the Continuous Improvement Strategist manages project lifecycles that transform raw data into actionable results, directly impacting productivity, safety, and cost savings across 19 regional branches.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, or a related field.
years of experience in an analytical role, preferably within a distribution, logistics, or manufacturing environment.
Proficiency in Excel (Advanced) and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
Must have a deep understanding of basic statistics and the ability to tell a story with data.
Exposure to ERP/WMS/TMS environments.
Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma tools (Kaizen).
Deep understanding of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology and Kaizen principles.
Foundational knowledge of warehouse flow (inbound, slotting, picking, outbound) and transportation logistics.
Understanding of P&L structures, specifically how operational waste (DOWNTIME) translates into financial loss.
Mastery of Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, Power Query) and proficiency in BI tools like Power BI or Tableau to build automated dashboards.
Ability to use tools to create "As-Is" and "To-Be" value stream maps that highlight bottlenecks.
Skilled in utilizing the "5 Whys," Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams, and FMEA to identify the source of operational failures.
Ability to navigate and extract data from WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and TMS (Transportation Management Systems).
The ability to translate complex statistical findings into a compelling narrative for non-technical branch managers.
The capacity to look at disparate data sets from 19 different branches and identify a single, systemic "root cause" affecting the whole network.
The ability to remain patient and persuasive when introducing new technologies or workflows to teams resistant to change.
The ability to manage a "strategic project pipeline," distinguishing between "quick wins" and long-term strategic overhauls.
Working effectively with cross-functional teams (IT, Finance, and Operations) to ensure project data integrity and P&L realization.

Nice To Haves

A LSS Black Belt certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Designs, building, and maintaining BI dashboards and reports to track KPIs.
Conduct deep-dive analyses of warehouse and transportation workflows to identify bottlenecks.
Assists in the execution of Lean Six Sigma initiatives, acting as the primary resource for data collection, root cause analysis, and the implementation of long-term controls.
Develop financial models and business cases by establishing baselines and assessing the P&L impact of proposed changes.
Supports the optimization of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS), ensuring data integrity and user adoption.
Creates standard operating procedures (SOPs) and provides training to branch staff on new tools and continuous improvement methodologies.
Lead cross-functional project teams and facilitate stakeholder alignment.
Develop detailed project plans, timelines, risk assessments, and execution strategies.
Drive accountability and ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with measurable ROI.
Coach and mentor Green Belts and operational leaders on Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
Promote a culture of operational excellence and data-driven decision making.
Utilize the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework to solve complex operational and systemic challenges.
Conduct root cause analysis using advanced statistical and process mapping tools.
Implement sustainable solutions and ensure proper control mechanisms are in place to maintain gains.
Quantify financial impact, including cost savings, productivity gains, and service improvements.