Continuous Improvement Specialist II

Collectors Universe (Germany) GmbH; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 59,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Collectors Universe (Germany) GmbH in Frankfurt is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive operational excellence by leading cross-functional improvement initiatives. You will apply Value Stream Mapping, DMAIC, and related methods to identify inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities, and you will develop standard work and SOPs to enable consistent performance.

The role requires German and English fluency, a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and strong data analytics skills using Excel,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field.
• Typically requires 2 years of related experience, or an advanced degree with limited experience.
• Fluent in German and English; ability to collaborate with international teams.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred; required within defined period if not obtained.
• Professional expertise in continuous improvement, analytics, and business operations.
• Independent judgment within defined procedures for moderate-scope problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end continuous improvement initiatives using VSM, DMAIC, and related methods.
• Plan and facilitate structured improvement events like Kaizen workshops.
• Develop and maintain standard work, SOPs, and process documentation.
• Define KPIs and dashboards; analyze operational and financial data for trends and ROI.
• Provide consultative guidance on process design and controls; prioritize opportunities.
• Collaborate with teams and external vendors; communicate findings clearly to stakeholders.

Skills

Data analysis

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Business/Operations Management

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We grade, authenticate, vault, and sell millions of record-setting collectibles, all while modernizing and digitalizing the process to further our mission of helping collectors pursue their passions. We’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our growing team. Our services span collectible trading cards, autographs, comic books, coins, video games, event tickets, and memorabilia. Our subsidiaries include PSA, PCGS, Beckett, SGC, and Card Ladder. Since our founding in 1986, we have graded and authenticated millions of items. We employ more than 3000 people across our headquarters in Santa Ana, California and offices in New Jersey, Texas, Florida, Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and France.

We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement Specialist to drive operational excellence culture by leading improvement efforts that strengthen how the organization operates. Building on established continuous improvement skills, you will independently manage moderate scope initiatives, analyze process and performance data, and recommend practical solutions that improve efficiency, quality, cost effectiveness, and risk control. You will apply professional judgment within established guidelines and play an active role in improving and sustaining enterprise processes and performance standards.

Onsite Requirement: This role requires you to be onsite in the Frankfurt office 5 days per week.

What You’ll Do:

• Continuous Improvement & Business Operations Lead analysis of end-to-end business processes using Value Stream Mapping (VSM), DMAIC, and related methodologies to identify inefficiencies, risks, and improvement opportunities across functions.
• Independently execute assigned continuous improvement initiatives, determining appropriate analytical methods, adapting standard approaches as needed, and recommending sustainable, data-driven solutions.
• Plan and facilitate structured improvement events (e.g., Kaizen workshops), including defining scope, coordinating cross-functional participation, and documenting outcomes and controls to improve safety, quality, service, cost and people engagement.
• Develop, refine, and maintain standard work, SOPs, and process documentation to support consistent operating practices, compliance, and performance improvement.
• Data Analysis & Decision Support Define and refine KPIs and performance measurement frameworks; analyze operational and financial data to evaluate trends, improvement results, capacity, and productivity. Prepare dashboards, analyses, business cases, and ROI estimates that support leadership decision-making and prioritization. Perform workflow, time-based, and process analyses to inform optimization recommendations and support planning activities.
• Advisory, Judgment & Planning Provide professional, consultative guidance to managers on process design, improvement strategies, and operational controls. Exercise judgment within established policies and procedures to prioritize improvement opportunities, interpret results, and recommend courses of action aligned with organizational goals. Support planning, tracking, and reporting of improvement initiatives, including timelines, resource needs, and budget inputs for assigned work.
• Collaboration & Communication Build productive working relationships with operational teams, support functions, and external vendors to resolve issues and implement improvement solutions. Communicate complex analytical findings clearly and concisely to non-technical audiences, including leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders. Contribute to capability building by supporting training materials, best-practice documentation, and knowledge sharing related to continuous improvement methodologies.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Typically requires a minimum of 2 years of related experience, or an advanced degree with limited professional experience.
• Fluent in German and English, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional, international teams.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred; required within a defined period if not already obtained.
• Applies developing professional expertise in continuous improvement, analytics, and business operations to resolve a variety of operational issues.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment within defined procedures to address problems of moderate scope and recommend improvements.
• Works with minimal day-to-day supervision; receives general direction on new or complex assignments, with work reviewed for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to moderately complex business operations.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau).
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and provide standard advisory recommendations within established frameworks.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for preparing analyses, reports, and presentations.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is €59,300.22 - €78,424.54.

Actual compensation on this range varies based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including location, job level, experience, and skill set. This role may be eligible for bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation, please ask your recruiter for details.

Diversity Statement:

Collectors Universe is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation (m/w/d).

Diversity und Chancengleichheit: Collectors Universe ist ein Arbeitgeber der Chancengleichheit. Wir begrüßen Bewerbungen von allen qualifizierten Kandidat*innen, unabhängig von ethnischer Herkunft, Geschlecht, Religion oder Weltanschauung, Behinderung, Alter oder sexueller Orientierung (m/w/d).

Reasons To Join Us:

• The opportunity to be a part of our Germany operation and to make a meaningful impact on the successful launch of PSA in the EU
• A dynamic and collaborative international team
• An organization dedicated