Continuous Improvement Strategist
$90,000–$110,000 year
On-siteSanta Fe Springs, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead operational change and process standardization across 19 regional branches by designing BI dashboards, mapping warehouse workflows, and executing Lean Six Sigma initiatives. Conduct deep-dive root cause analyses using DMAIC and statistical tools to quantify cost savings and productivity gains. Develop financial models, create SOPs, and train staff on continuous improvement methodologies while optimizing WMS and TMS systems. Manage project lifecycles from planning to long-term control implementation, ensuring measurable ROI and stakeholder alignment. Travel up to 35% of the time to the Gemba for time studies and audits in high-volume distribution centers, potentially working irregular hours including nights and weekends. This role bridges corporate strategy with tactical floor realities to drive a culture of operational excellence and data-driven decision-making.
Required Qualifications
- 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
- Must be comfortable navigating these spaces to observe workflows firsthand and conduct root cause analyses alongside frontline teams
- Must be capable of standing and walking for extended periods—often several hours at a time—to perform time studies and audit operational bottlenecks across large facility footprints
- May travel up to 35% of the time to support 19 regional branches across North America
- While generally maintaining a standard business schedule, the requirement to 'identify and quantify opportunities' means they may occasionally work irregular hours, including night or weekend shifts, to observe different operational cycles
- Pre-employment Drug testing is required
- Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer
- Principals only
Desired Qualifications
- A LSS Black Belt certification is preferred
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