Director of Process Improvement

  • Full-time

Company Description

Lakeshore Learning Materials is one of the most innovative manufacturers of educational materials in the country. Specializing in top-quality products for the home and classroom, we are a thriving multichannel organization with a robust web business, multiple catalogs for early learning and elementary programs, over 60 store locations and a sales force that is second to none. Thanks to the daily contributions of the amazing people who make up our team, Lakeshore has experienced continuous growth since the day it was founded in 1954. 

Job Description

Our distribution business is experiencing transformative growth—with no end in sight.

That’s why we’re looking for a Six Sigma Business Process Director for our Carson, CA, distribution center to identify, evaluate and implement operational improvements that generate cost savings and efficiencies. Our ideal candidate will be a change agent with strong communication skills who can garner support from those around them for the changes they seek, and motivate and influence the team to advance and achieve their goals and objectives. This strategic business role will report to our SVP of Distribution and will positively impact business operations by creating a competitive advantage and improve financial performance.

 A day on the job looks like this:

  • Planning, performing and implementing process improvement initiatives
  • Diagraming and evaluating existing processes
  • Organizing, leading and facilitating cross-functional project teams; developing metrics that provide data for process measurement, identifying indicators for future improvement opportunities
  • Collecting and analyzing data to identify root cause of problems; measuring performance against process requirements; aligning improvement to performance shortfalls
  • Delivering presentations and training courses including measurement, analysis, improvement and control; surveying and analyzing best practices for techniques and processes; communicating team progress; performing cost and benefit analyses
  • Leading process improvement projects within the business units
  • Collaborating with other Business Process teams to develop and execute process improvement

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

  • Six Sigma Black Belt Certification required
  • 2+ years of Six Sigma Black Belt experience in process improvement at a distribution center
  • Strong financial acumen/experience in calculating cost benefit analysis and ROI
  • Experience with cross-functional projects involving executive level members as well as support staff and distribution associate employee
  • Data analysis and predictive modeling experience; ability to execute complex analysis and synthesize into a storyline to socialize, influence and drive action across the organization
  • Advanced PC skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel (VLOOKUP, pivots, if-then statements, charts, graphs), Access (query, table comparison, building macros, building multiple links, creating dashboards), PowerPoint and Visio (development of process flows, map design layouts, value stream mapping)
  • Self-motivated, organized and capable of proactively identifying, sourcing and handling multiple projects (3-5 projects at any one given time) to successful completion
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to promote trust and collaboration to build strong relationships

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 
• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• Exceptional training and support, and all the resources you need to be successful
• Super-awesome annual profit bonus plan
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

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