Transformation Leader & Coach

A. O. Smith•Nashville, TN

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Transformation Leader & Coach is a senior, hands-on transformation practitioner with Master Black Belt-level expertise. The role combines direct delivery on complex transformation initiatives with coaching Forward Deployed Transformation Leaders (FDTLs) through live initiatives. The leader sets a high standard for data-driven diagnosis, solution design, implementation, change adoption, and value realization while developing FDTLs into independent transformation leaders. The role partners with initiative sponsors and teams across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Commercial, IT, HR, and business units to mobilize resources, resolve barriers, and sustain results. It also reinforces and continuously improves the Transformation Office’s methodology, tools, curriculum, and case examples. The position is based in Nashville, Tennessee, or requires regular travel to Nashville, manufacturing facilities, and other project locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
10+ years of experience leading complex operational and enterprise transformations.
Master Black Belt-level practical expertise in Lean Six Sigma, DMAIC, applied statistics, measurement-system analysis, root-cause analysis, process capability, FMEA, experimentation, and control planning.
Demonstrated success delivering measurable results across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and cross-functional or transactional processes.
Experience coaching Black Belts, transformation leaders, or comparable practitioners through real initiatives while maintaining high standards and avoiding unnecessary takeover of their work.
Executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge assumptions, navigate resistance, and lead across functions without formal authority.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, or willing and able to travel regularly to Nashville, manufacturing facilities, and other project locations.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Master Black Belt certification.
Experience in industrial goods, manufacturing, building products, durable goods, industrial distribution, or related sectors.

Responsibilities

Lead or materially support complex transformation initiatives from diagnosis through implementation, stabilization, and handoff, with accountability for measurable operational and financial outcomes.
Apply Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC methods to define problems, verify measurement systems, identify root causes, test countermeasures, improve process performance, and establish sustainable controls.
Conduct advanced analysis using process data, statistical methods, hypothesis testing, regression, process capability, FMEA, experimentation, and related tools appropriate to the business problem.
Coach FDTLs during live work by challenging their thinking, observing performance, providing direct feedback, and developing their independent problem-solving, implementation, and leadership capability.
Establish and reinforce Transformation Office standards for charters, diagnostics, analytics, tollgates, solution design, control plans, change leadership, and value realization.
Lead or support phase-gate reviews and determine whether evidence, analysis, and implementation plans meet the standard required to advance.
Partner with initiative sponsors, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Commercial, IT, HR, and business-unit leaders to mobilize resources, resolve barriers, and sustain results.
Translate complex analysis into clear executive recommendations, decisions, and actions; communicate candidly when evidence does not support a proposed conclusion or path forward.
Continuously improve the Transformation Office methodology, tools, curriculum, and case examples based on lessons from the field.