Process Improvement Associate

PeoplesBank•Holyoke, MA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Process Improvement Associate plays a key role in driving operational excellence across the organization. This position supports the identification, analysis, documentation, and implementation of process improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, reduce waste, and simplify workflows. Working closely with management and CPI team members, the Associate will assist in delivering projects on time and within scope, leveraging methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to optimize business performance. Responsibilities include supporting process mapping, root cause analysis, data collection, and reporting insights to leadership. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about improving customer and associate experiences. This role offers a hybrid work model, balancing remote and in-office flexibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree OR 2+ years Continuous Improvement experience
Familiarity with Continuous Improvement methodology (DMAIC, DFSS, Kaizen, Value Stream or other relevant methodologies).
Basic understanding of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, etc. to help assess, monitor, and enhance business performance
Understands business processes and financials, and has some experience quantifying efficiencies / changes to a process
Experience creating process documentation and supporting or leading business initiatives
Able to work with support and independently to successfully complete bank initiatives
Experience working with large sets of data and making valuable conclusions based on findings
Demonstrate a professional demeanor that creates trust with business partners, stakeholders, and the project team
Comfortable questioning the status quo
Approaches problems as a humble learner and displays humility and understanding when partnering with stakeholders
Demonstrate a desire to understand our customers and improve their experience
Proficiency in MS Office/365
Expert level Excel experience
Must complete Yellow Belt training within six months of hire

Nice To Haves

Experience in one or more of the following fields a plus: Banking, Data Analytics, Project Management or Business Administration.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or higher a plus
Smartsheet and SharePoint experience a plus

Responsibilities

Support process improvement initiatives across the bank to deliver efficiencies and optimize results for our communities, customers and associates.
Support work to investigate issues, complaints, suggestions and shortfalls in current business processes.
In partnership with management and/or CPI analysts, ensure all projects/initiatives are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget following the continuous process improvement lifecycle.
Support CPI team to report on CPI opportunities to management using clear data, visuals and insight on decision making.
Support process improvement exercises including, but not limited to, process mapping, root cause analysis, data collection, baseline measurement, and gap analysis.
Collaborate with CPI team members to create project roadmaps, define tollgates, drive standard operating procedure creation and help set critical metrics for measurable business processes.
Help maintain project/initiatives documentation, including, but not limited to, charters, project plans, training plans, process mapping, communication plans, checklists, and proposed procedures.
Help monitor and proactively escalate anticipated project delays, budget issues and other potential threats to projects/initiatives.
Complete / participate in CPI training to support project work.
Other related duties as assigned.