Lead Process Manager, Supply Chain Operations

Target • Minneapolis, MN

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Target Global Supply Chain and Logistics is evolving at an incredible pace. We are constantly reimagining how we get the right product to the right guest even better, faster and more cost effectively than before. We are becoming more intelligent, automated and algorithmic in our decision-making, so that no matter how guests shop—in stores or on Target.com—we deliver the convenience and immediate gratification they demand and deserve. We are on a mission to win decisively over any competitor, with a seamless and superior guest service experience unlike any they can offer. Our teams work with the agility our mission requires, and we constantly come together to implement new processes in record time. So we’re looking for exceptional people who are proactive, creative, independent, innovative, risk-savvy and comfortable working in varying degrees of ambiguity. Are you a critical thinker who seeks the root cause and can analyze both qualitatively and quantitatively? Are you a creative problem-solver who simplifies problems, quickly identifies solutions, commits to a plan and then positively influences others to execute it? If so, you will have success on one of our dynamic teams. As a Lead Process Manager in Supply Chain Operations, you will act as a performance and process improvement leader responsible for identifying material operational losses, establishing the conditions causing those losses, and designing, testing, and scaling process improvements that produce measurable and sustained business results. You will combine deep operational knowledge with quantitative analysis, direct observation, structured root-cause problem solving, process improvement, and experimentation to translate performance gaps into validated changes to work methods, flow, staffing, standard work, and operating routines A key focus of this role will be identifying and delivering process improvement opportunities that reduce operating costs, eliminate waste, and improve productivity while maintaining the appropriate balance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Capacity. You will leverage Continuous Improvement tools and direct observation of operations—including time studies, process observations, waste identification, root cause analysis, Value Stream Mapping, and Standardized Work, Engineered Labor Standards (ELS)/Productivity Performance insights, and Field leader insights —to understand current-state performance, identify process gaps and non-value-added activity, quantify improvement opportunities, and develop sustainable solutions. You will mentor, influence, teach, and train leaders and business partners to ensure the successful deployment and sustainment of Standard Work while ensuring balanced process development and execution across top-line metrics. You will use data and structured problem-solving methodologies to move from problem identification through root cause, countermeasure development, implementation, and validation of results. In partnership with building leaders and HQ business partners, you will use performance data, operational observation, process segmentation, and loss analysis to identify and prioritize the largest sources of performance loss across process paths, sites, shifts, and operating conditions. You will develop and test causal hypotheses using data, direct observation, process evidence, and structured problem solving methods, distinguishing contributing conditions from validated root causes. You will design and execute controlled process experiments and pilots with defined hypotheses, baseline conditions, success criteria, failure criteria, data requirements, and sustainment measures. This includes establishing current-state baselines, decomposing aggregate performance gaps into measurable loss categories, identifying and initiating countermeasures, and measuring results to ensure improvements deliver intended and sustainable business outcomes. You will also collaborate as a thought partner with HQ business partners and field leaders to address business constraints such as safety trends, productivity performance, capacity, store presentation, cost pressures, and future technology and process requirements. You will help translate operational insights into scalable solutions and use learnings from the field to influence broader process design and Continuous Improvement strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of experience in distribution, fulfillment, manufacturing, logistics, retail operations, or process improvement within a complex operating environment; direct field operations experience strongly preferred
• Experience using process observation, elemental time analysis, work sampling, cycle time data, and related techniques to understand current state performance and quantify process loss
• Demonstrated ability to decompose a performance gap into measurable drivers and isolate the point of occurrence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and validate causal hypotheses using quantitative analysis and direct observation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in structured problem-solving and Continuous Improvement tools, including 8-step problem solving, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standardized Work, Visual Management, root cause analysis, and waste identification
• Experience designing and executing process experiments or pilots with measurable success criteria.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze process performance and variation using descriptive statistics, segmentation, Pareto analysis, distributions, trend analysis, correlation where appropriate, and before/after performance comparisons.
• Experience with performance metrics and process improvement, including balancing improvements across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, Capacity, and Cost
• Project management skills including scoping, problem statements, goal definition, benefit identification, implementation planning, and timeline management
• Ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with partners across various teams and as part of cross-functional teams
• Inclusion Champion—passionate about supporting a strong team culture
• Change agent with proven ability to influence others and advocate for change where needed
• Excellent interpersonal communication, time management, presentation, and organizational skills with the ability to handle changing priorities and use good judgment in stressful situations
• Able to access all areas of the DC, including mezzanine platforms
• Experience managing multiple, complex initiatives at one time
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with limited direction
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or demonstrated equivalent capability.
• Experience with DMAIC/A3/8-step structured problem solving.
• Experience analyzing high-volume transactional or operational data.
• Exposure to work measurement, labor standards or engineered labor-management systems.
• Experience scaling a proven process change across multiple facilities.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of multiple parts of supply chain (transportation, distribution) or retail segments (apparel, home, stores) preferred
• Enjoys detailed work and communicating updates to various levels of leaders
• Application of Continuous Improvement principles in a manufacturing or supply chain environment preferred
• Collaborative, motivated, and forward-thinking with high ethical standards
• Ability to travel approximately 40–50% of the time; travel will vary based on business needs
• Systems Thinking: Understands upstream/downstream consequences and avoids optimizing one metric at the expense of total-system performance.
• Experimental Mindset: Frames assumptions as hypotheses, defines evidence before testing and is willing to stop or revise solutions that data do not support.

Responsibilities

• Act as a performance and process improvement leader responsible for identifying material operational losses, establishing the conditions causing those losses, and designing, testing, and scaling process improvements that produce measurable and sustained business results.
• Combine deep operational knowledge with quantitative analysis, direct observation, structured root-cause problem solving, process improvement, and experimentation to translate performance gaps into validated changes to work methods, flow, staffing, standard work, and operating routines.
• Identify and deliver process improvement opportunities that reduce operating costs, eliminate waste, and improve productivity while maintaining the appropriate balance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Capacity.
• Leverage Continuous Improvement tools and direct observation of operations—including time studies, process observations, waste identification, root cause analysis, Value Stream Mapping, and Standardized Work, Engineered Labor Standards (ELS)/Productivity Performance insights, and Field leader insights —to understand current-state performance, identify process gaps and non-value-added activity, quantify improvement opportunities, and develop sustainable solutions.
• Mentor, influence, teach, and train leaders and business partners to ensure the successful deployment and sustainment of Standard Work while ensuring balanced process development and execution across top-line metrics.
• Use data and structured problem-solving methodologies to move from problem identification through root cause, countermeasure development, implementation, and validation of results.
• Use performance data, operational observation, process segmentation, and loss analysis to identify and prioritize the largest sources of performance loss across process paths, sites, shifts, and operating conditions.
• Develop and test causal hypotheses using data, direct observation, process evidence, and structured problem solving methods, distinguishing contributing conditions from validated root causes.
• Design and execute controlled process experiments and pilots with defined hypotheses, baseline conditions, success criteria, failure criteria, data requirements, and sustainment measures.
• Collaborate as a thought partner with HQ business partners and field leaders to address business constraints such as safety trends, productivity performance, capacity, store presentation, cost pressures, and future technology and process requirements.
• Help translate operational insights into scalable solutions and use learnings from the field to influence broader process design and Continuous Improvement strategies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more
• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Paid sick leave
• Paid national holidays
• Paid vacation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree