Manager, Operational Excellence

Canadian Blood Services Stem Cells for Life; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Dartmouth is seeking a Manager Operational Excellence to implement continuous improvement principles. The role requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in Lean, Six Sigma, and project management. This hybrid position expects at least 80% in-person attendance. Join the team to make a meaningful difference in health services.

Benefits

Annual performance award up to 10%

Defined benefit pension plan

Paid vacation and benefits

Employee discounts and wellness program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical environment.
• At least 5 years of Lean / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement Engineering experience.
• Experience facilitating change management methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Implement continuous improvement principles and best practices.
• Facilitate process improvement workshops and kaizen events.
• Lead projects to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Project Management

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Certification in Lean Manufacturing

Job description

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a Temporary Full-time Manager, Operational Excellence to join our dynamic Operational Excellence team. The role works in a hybrid environment, with an in‑person presence for at least 80% of the work time at 270 John Savage Ave, Dartmouth, NS.

About the Role

The Operational Excellence team supports Canadian Blood Services by empowering employees to improve their own processes so that problems can be easily surfaced and solved for good. In this role you will implement continuous improvement principles and proven best practices, working with staff and management to improve workplace organization, material and information flow, value‑stream mapping, materials control, throughput leveling, and customer service. You will facilitate and present process‑improvement workshops and Kaizen events; develop and promote continuous‑improvement activities; lead efforts to reduce cost and improve efficiency to meet planned objectives; and provide scorecard reporting of progress.

Formula for Success

• Drawing on your strong experience with continuous‑improvement initiatives, you will cooperate in designing work systems to improve process flow productivity under ergonomic aspects.
• Leveraging your process‑improvement expertise, you will deliver practical, hands‑on tools and methodologies for waste elimination.
• Your project‑management skills will support assigned continuous‑improvement projects to achieve targeted savings and develop reporting and scorecard systems accordingly.
• Utilizing your excellent collaboration and communication skills, you will guide the continuous‑improvement team in planning, analysis, recommendation, payback analysis, approval and deployment processes.
• Your knowledge of adult‑learning principles will help establish and nurture a continuous‑improvement culture, maintain the education program, and provide mentoring and training to staff and management.

Desired Education and Skills

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or closely related field is required.
• Certification in Lean manufacturing or a related field.
• 10 years in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical environment with at least 5 years of Lean/Six Sigma/Continuous Improvement Engineering experience.
• Proven experience implementing continuous‑improvement strategies on the shop floor and explaining concepts in layman’s terms to front‑line staff.
• Experience facilitating and implementing change‑management methodologies.
• Experience with waste reduction, standardized work, one‑piece flow, just‑in‑time production, 5S, limiting WIP, and inventory reduction.
• Advanced process‑analysis and design expertise.
• Conscientiousness and confidentiality in daily operations.
• Effective oral and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, and computer literacy.
• Strong project‑management skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Experience directing and delegating to cross‑functional continuous‑improvement project teams.
• Experience incorporating adult‑learning principles is an asset.

What We Offer You

• Annual performance award up to 10%.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Paid in lieu of benefits and vacation.
• Employee discounts, wellness program, and professional resources.

What You Can Expect

• Based at Canadian Blood Services, 270 John Savage Ave, Dartmouth, NS, with an in‑person presence of at least 80% of the time (4 days per week).
• Work Monday to Friday for 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours a day); additional hours may be required depending on project needs.
• Travel may be required to attend team meetings and project commitments.

Diversity and inclusion play a vital role in ensuring health equity for patients across Canada. We are committed to reflecting Canada’s population in our organization and fostering an environment where all employees can be their authentic selves with equal opportunities to succeed and contribute.

Applicants who require accommodation should discuss their needs with us.