Sr Process Improvement Engineer

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Provides Operational Excellence expertise to Clinical and Administrative staff to achieve successful operational and business performance improvement. Partners with various departments across Fresenius Medical Care to provide process improvement expertise to a broad range of large size projects of high complexity for business units or divisions across the organization. Facilitates the development of complex process improvement projects to identify, design, and implement solutions using sound engineering principles, state of the art industry standards, and applying continuous improvement methods such as Lean, and Six Sigma, that will result in improved and optimized outcomes and operations. Serves as subject matter expert in the principles and tools of continuous improvement.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Drives the development and operational implementation of improved and optimized processes, through the application of engineering and continuous improvement methods and tools including Lean, Six Sigma, A3 Problem Solving, and change management.
• Collaborates with clinical and operational staff to define improvement goals and objectives by collecting the voice of the customer, performing literature reviews, brainstorming, and identifying internal and external best practices. Effectively communicating expectations and success criteria to staff and stakeholders.
• Identifies, develops, and maintains process improvement artifacts necessary for work development ensuring Operational Excellence Continuous Improvement methodology is followed.
• Conducts activities related to defining and measuring problems and desired outcomes/metrics. This includes data collection, value stream and process mapping current state, stakeholder assessment, and other continuous Improvement activities to monitor progress toward improvement goals.

• Develops data collection tools, collects data, and prepares data for statistical analysis and root cause evaluation.

• Utilizes data analysis and Continuous Improvement methods for assessing root causes, issues with process, and stakeholder support needed. Visualizes data and processes in ways that tell a compelling story.
• Designs activities related to developing the future state process and performance and conducts analysis of the gap between current state and future state.
• Conducts rapid improvement events for standard work, improved flow, waste reduction, error proofing, workplace organization, visual management, and other improvement objectives.
• Participates in regular check-in meetings and toll-gate review to ensure progress and alignment of stakeholders, goals, scope, solutions, and timelines.
• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with stakeholders to enable implementation of change management processes and support of process owner and operation staff.
• Assists with Operational Excellence curriculum development and training and conducts workshops on the concepts of continuous improvement including Lean and A3 thinking.
• Trains the workforce on the principles, methods, and tools of systematic improvement to promote a learning environment and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provides necessary information and educational material for improvement projects, keeps teams on track in the Continuous Improvement cycle, and provides Just-in-Time training and coaching to team members.
• Partners with other disciplines within the Operational Excellence team (Project Management, Change Management, Analytics, etc) in the development of the project strategies and solution implementation.
• Ensures appropriate project management methods and tools are utilized throughout each project assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Some travel between locations primarily during the business day, although occasional out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

SUPERVISION:

• None

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s Degree – Industrial Engineering, Management Engineer, Business Management, Technical or Healthcare specialization preferred.
• Lean Bronze/Silver certification preferred.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• Change Management certification preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• 5 – 8 years of continuous improvement and healthcare related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience delivering continuous improvement training.
• Ability to work cross functionally at many levels.
• Demonstrated ability to foster positive relationships.
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to perform statistical analysis.  
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical requirements and process flows.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent planning, organization, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Superb training and facilitation skills and ability to influence and motivate teams.
• Ability to effectively present to a high level of the organization and groups outside of the organization.
• Excellent computer skills, proficient with Microsoft Office applications.

If your location allows for pay/benefit transparency, please click the link below to request further information on this position. Pay Transparency Request Form (smartsheet.com)

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.