Process Innovation Director (Continuous Improvement)

SUMMARY: The Process Innovation Director will lead cross-functional, company-wide efforts to document critical business processes, identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and implement sustainable, scalable improvements. This role drives continuous improvement, operational excellence, and process innovation across manufacturing and business operations. The Process Innovation Director will focus on optimizing workflows, leveraging new technologies, and enhancing productivity, quality, and cost performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead review and documentation of critical business processes.
• Lead value stream mapping to identify opportunities for end-to-end process innovation (transactional workload, step cycle times and yields).
• Identify process disfunction, monetize opportunities, and prioritize based on impact. Implement sustainable, scalable improvements.
• Identify and consult on opportunities for AI and process innovation.
• Establish predictive KPIs to support and sustain process improvement.
• Lead cross functional teams and project-manage initiatives.
• Drive adoption of data-driven decision making and process automation.
• Standardize best practices across the organization.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for operational issues.
• Partner with leadership to align improvement initiatives with business priorities.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 7-10+ years’ experience in manufacturing or sales operations, supply chain, and/or operational excellence/continuous improvement related roles.
• 5-7 years’ experience in Lean Manufacturing, process optimization and continuous improvement, to include 3+ years leading cross-functional projects and teams.
• Experience in manufacturing environment preferred
• Expert business acumen in manufacturing, supply chain, inventory management, and cross-functional business process
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams to develop optimized processes across the business
• Experience managing numerous project initiatives simultaneously, instilling a high level of accountability and progress
• Experience in establishing KPIs and performance targets, and implementing predictive KPIs to assure process adherence
• AI development and application experience a strong plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

• Lifting requirements up to 15 pounds
• Requires sitting for periods of time
• Requires travel using all modes of transportation
• Requires a valid passport

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Remote position requiring periodic travel to office locations in U.S. and Canada and CM locations.
• May perform some project work on the production floor. Our Minnesota facility includes a manufacturing environment. Moderate noise level. Machinery operation requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to; safety glasses, hearing protection, wrist and shoe straps, and ESD smock. Loose fitting clothing and jewelry are not permitted. No food is allowed in the manufacturing area. No cell phone use allowed in manufacturing area unless approved by management  

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED: 

Laptop computer and standard office equipment.