The Sr. Project Manager, Continuous Improvement drives positive change in the Operations organization by analyzing processes, making improvement recommendations, planning and leading improvement projects from initiation through delivery. They are a change agent, contributing to organizational transformation by using Lean Six Sigma principles to drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence.

This role indirectly manages internal and external resources to ensure successful completion of non-technical projects, keeping leadership informed of key issues that may impact project completion, budget or other results.


As an experienced, disciplined senior leader, the incumbent will often provide guidance to more junior members of the team.

**Travel up to 50% is required. This can be remote or a hybrid role located out of our corporate headquarters in Winston Salem, NC. **

Primary Accountabilities:

Project Management (55%)

• Utilize Lean Six Sigma principles to drive improvement initiatives

  • Identify opportunities for process improvement, waste removal, and cost reduction

  • Present recommendations with accompanying cost-benefit analysis, obtain approvals and implement change

  • Teaching, leading, and coaching teams on Lean Six Sigma tools and methodology

  • Establish engaging methods of training; train (directly or through a "train the trainer" approach depending on the situation) facilities on new initiatives

• Oversee the implementation of improvement projects including:

  • Determine the participants needed for the project

  • Create and manage a project plan to achieve the objectives of the initiative, including scope, budget, resources, action items, deadline dates, milestones, and contingency plans

  • Collaborate with stakeholders and participants to ensure action items are completed and the project achieves intended results

  • Deliver a set of metrics and reporting for monitoring the success of the initiative

  • Monitor regularly and course correct to deliver the project's results on time; ensure problems, issues, and risks that may affect project goals are identified, documented, and resolved

  • Prepare and deliver communications for management on the status of projects and key metrics

  • Coordinate project supply needs with Procurement

  • Document established processes and standard procedures

  • Establish a plan for handing off ongoing oversight of the process to Operations management, including any manager training, metrics processes, and ensuring a long term follow-up and accountability plan and troubleshooting guides/FAQs are in place

  • Complete post-project evaluation to determine how well results were achieved and provide insight for improvement to future delivery of projects

Strategic (25%)

• Partner with the business to fully understand business requirements to build the business case (if applicable), including valuation of the project, in order to secure appropriate project level prioritization, staffing, and funding as necessary

• Work cross-functionally with the enterprise in mind for all projects as assigned

• Manage multiple tasks and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment

Influence (20%)

• Drive process and cultural change with people at all levels of the organization

• Understand a broad group of perspectives and requirements from multiple stakeholders; gain alignment to deliver an end-to-end solution that meets the needs of the collective group

• Work to gain and maintain credibility with business leaders and key stakeholders to ensure ongoing collaboration and effective communication

• Demonstrate a growing knowledge and application of skills and product knowledge

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or a related field; Master’s degree a plus

• Travel up to 50% required

• 6-8 years of related work experience in project management; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to complete the major responsibilities/essential functions of the position

• Passion for Continuous Improvement

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with confidence, clarity, and focus; able to convey concepts and considerations to non-technical and technical experts alike

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Lean Six-sigma Black Belt certification, recommended

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification a plus

• Leadership skills with the ability to collaborate and build relationships across organizations, bridge gaps between teams, and successfully influence without authority

• Advanced knowledge/use of Microsoft and Google Suites

• Industry experience in an operations environment; within manufacturing, warehousing, logistics a plus

Individual Competencies:

• Teamwork: Builds relationships and works cooperatively with others, inside and outside the organization, to accomplish objectives to build and maintain mutually-beneficial partnerships, leverage information and achieve results.

• Communication: Giving and receiving messages and information in written, oral, and visual formats in a clear and concise way for a complete understanding of meaning and intent.

• Problem Solving: Gathers and analyzes information to generate and evaluate potential solutions to problems, issues and challenges while weighing the accuracy and relevance of the facts, data and information.

• Establish Focus: The ability to develop and communicate goals in support of the business' mission.

• Integrity: Gains the trust of others by taking responsibility for own actions and telling the truth.

• Negotiation: Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.

• Business Acumen: Understands and is aware of how to think about and successfully make the right business decisions through the utilization of industry-specific knowledge and skills and strategic thinking tools and skills.

• Vision & Strategy: Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others while positioning the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities, formulating objectives and priorities, and implementing plans consistent with the long-term interest of the organization in a global environment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the major job responsibilities (essential functions) of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the major job responsibilities. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is:

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands or arms.

• Regularly required to talk or hear and read instructions on a computer monitor and/or printed on paper.

• Occasionally required to stand, kneel or stoop, and lift and/or move up to ## pounds.

• Regularly required to view items at an extremely close range and must be able to adjust and readjust focus.

Occasionally: Job requires this activity up to 33% of the time

Frequently: Job requires this activity between 33% - 66% of the time

Regularly: Job requires this activity more than 66% of the time

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.