This position is a key member of a regional leadership team, driving an end-to-end analysis of the regional Business Operations & performance measures, identifying cross-functional system view of opportunities for profitable growth, and driving business transformation leveraging the Quest Management System (QMS) specifically focused on Continuous Improvement (CI), system thinking, and big data analytics techniques (adopting AI). Additionally, this leadership role requires operational experience in business financials, functions, and demonstrated ability to collaboratively work across multiple functions in order to drive change. This role will lead a team that is responsible for driving business analytics, use of QMS toolset with the operating functions, project management of the business transformation projects and leading / implementing appropriate operating cadence for the business.

This position can sit in:

• Chicago, IL
• Lenexa, KS
• Denver, CO
• Cincinnati, OH

• Owns the learning, application, and adoption of QMS principle and practices across large portions of the enterprise with the goal of building localized self-sufficiency, sustainability, and scalability of improvement efforts
• Champions and drives the use of big data analytics tools (adopting AI) to tackle system level problems.
• Cultural change shift from dashboards and analytics towards actions and results
• Owns a portfolio of initiatives (i) strategic business transformation projects, and (ii)operational execution that results in large-scale improvement across designated functions in the business
• Demonstrated understanding of continuous improvement, process management, or system thinking (value stream thinking)
• Proven track record in facilitating cross functional discussions, targeted workshops and Kaizens to achieve strategic & operational objectives
• General knowledge of Hoshin and breakthrough planning
• Demonstrates expertise in driving cross functional collaboration and business transformation projects using program management principles and tools, and has a strong track record of success leading and influencing at the senior leadership level without direct authority in driving change
• Captures, quantifies, and reapplies best-in-class practices between laboratories, businesses, and regions
• Leads and supports a regionwide team of 5-10 QMS-CI specialists, project managers, and data analysts
• Responsible for coaching and guiding them, as well as facilitating their development and career planning
• Acts as a change agent to guide teams toward success
• Leads efforts to implement Process Control and Management (process definition, documentation, ownership, metrics, and monitoring systems)
• Works with functional and site leaders as a "thought leader" to create future state improvement roadmaps with clear executable plans that are in line with the business strategies and improvement needs
• Contributes toward building a grass-roots culture of continuous improvement, use of big data analytics techniques, system thinking, and cross-functional collaboration

Required Work Experience:
* Bachelor's degree required (industrial engineering, supply chain or other technical focus)
* Master's degree in industrial engineering or related discipline is preferred
* Training in continuous improvement and/or strategic or system thinking methodologies required (e.g., Lean Manufacturing, TPS, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Theory of Constraints)
* 15-20 years of direct responsibility of operational ownership of different functional areas within a business. Continuous Improvement experience and/or demonstrated ability to drive strategic direction and change. Domain expertise in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Organizational Leadership, or Healthcare

Preferred Work Experience:
* Continuous Improvement certified (LSS Master Black Belt or Lean certified, QMS or equivalent business operating systems Certified)

Physical and Mental Requirements:
* Demonstrated success leading large, complex, cross-functional change initiatives (15+ years)
* Previous experience designing and deploying "kaizen culture" and/or strategic initiative across medium-to-large organizations
* Expert-level experience using robust, structured problem-solving and designing countermeasures for multivariate problem
* Demonstrated understanding of continuous improvement, process management, and systems thinking.
* Proven track record of fostering leadership alignment, target setting, and 'catch-ball'
* Poise and leadership presence when facilitating discussions and leading workshops
* Experience managing geographically dispersed teams
* Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with others
* Advanced data analysis skills
* Financial and Business acumen
* Change Agent
* Working knowledge of Hoshin-Kanri (Policy Deployment) principles and practices
* Effective written and verbal communication skills across multiple formats: formal presentations, training material development, meetings, conference calls, e-mails, and memos
* Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
* Excellent written and verbal skills, results oriented, and collaborative