Continuous Improvement Strategist

Wafna; Santa Fe Springs (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Wafna in California seeks a Continuous Improvement Strategist to drive end-to-end process improvements across 19 regional branches, leveraging data to standardize operations and boost productivity, safety, and cost savings. You will design BI dashboards, map processes, lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives, and develop business cases with ROI.

Travel to North America-wide sites may be required; strong collaboration with IT, Finance, and Operations is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, or related field.
• Years of experience in an analytical role, preferably in distribution, logistics, or manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Excel (Advanced) and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
• Must have a deep understanding of basic statistics and the ability to tell a story with data.
• Exposure to ERP/WMS/TMS environments.
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma tools (Kaizen). A Black Belt certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain BI dashboards and reports to track KPIs and provide real-time visibility into operational performance.
• Perform deep-dive analyses of warehouse and transportation workflows to identify bottlenecks.
• Support Lean Six Sigma initiatives with data collection, root cause analysis, and long-term controls.
• Develop financial models and business cases showing baselines and P&L impact of changes.
• Assist in optimizing WMS and TMS integration and data integrity.
• Create SOPs and train branch staff on new tools and continuous improvement methods.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Statistics

Data storytelling

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering / Supply Chain / Business Analytics

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

ERP/WMS/TMS experience

Kaizen / Lean Six Sigma

Job description

The Continuous Improvement Strategist serves as the primary driver of operational change and process standardization across the North American Distribution network. While the Senior Manager sets the strategic vision, this role is responsible for the end-to-end execution of improvement initiatives. By leveraging data mining and process mapping, the Continuous Improvement Strategist manages project lifecycles that transform raw data into actionable results, directly impacting productivity, safety, and cost savings across 19 regional branches.

Essential Job Functions:

• Data & Business Intelligence: Responsible to designs, building, and maintaining BI dashboards and reports to track KPIs. Ensures that branch leadership has real-time visibility into their operational performance.
  
• Process Mapping & Analysis: Conduct deep-dive analyses of warehouse and transportation workflows to identify bottlenecks. Uses basic statistics to quantify the "size of the prize" for potential improvement projects.
  
• Project Support: Assists in the execution of Lean Six Sigma initiatives, acting as the primary resource for data collection, root cause analysis, and the implementation of long-term controls.
  
• Business Case Development: Develop financial models and business cases by establishing baselines and assessing the P&L impact of proposed changes.
  
• Technology Integration: Supports the optimization of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS), ensuring data integrity and user adoption.
  
• Training & Documentation: Creates standard operating procedures (SOPs) and provides training to branch staff on new tools and continuous improvement methodologies.
  
• Lead cross-functional project teams and facilitate stakeholder alignment.
  
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, risk assessments, and execution strategies.
  
• Drive accountability and ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with measurable ROI.
  
• Coach and mentor Green Belts and operational leaders on Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
  
• Promote a culture of operational excellence and data-driven decision making.
  
• Utilize the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework to solve complex operational and systemic challenges.
  
• Conduct root cause analysis using advanced statistical and process mapping tools.
  
• Implement sustainable solutions and ensure proper control mechanisms are in place to maintain gains.
  
• Quantify financial impact, including cost savings, productivity gains, and service improvements.

Experience/ Training/ Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, or a related field.
• years of experience in an analytical role, preferably within a distribution, logistics, or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Excel (Advanced) and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
• Must have a deep understanding of basic statistics and the ability to tell a story with data.
• Exposure to ERP/WMS/TMS environments.
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma tools (Kaizen). A LSS Black Belt certification is preferred.

Knowledge/ Skills/ Ability:

• Deep understanding of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology and Kaizen principles.
  
• Foundational knowledge of warehouse flow (inbound, slotting, picking, outbound) and transportation logistics.
  
• Understanding of P&L structures, specifically how operational waste (DOWNTIME) translates into financial loss.
  
• Mastery of Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, Power Query) and proficiency in BI tools like Power BI or Tableau to build automated dashboards.
  
• Ability to use tools to create "As-Is" and "To-Be" value stream maps that highlight bottlenecks.
  
• Skilled in utilizing the "5 Whys," Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams, and FMEA to identify the source of operational failures.
  
• Ability to navigate and extract data from WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and TMS (Transportation Management Systems).
  
• The ability to translate complex statistical findings into a compelling narrative for non-technical branch managers.
  
• The capacity to look at disparate data sets from 19 different branches and identify a single, systemic "root cause" affecting the whole network.
  
• The ability to remain patient and persuasive when introducing new technologies or workflows to teams resistant to change.
  
• The ability to manage a "strategic project pipeline," distinguishing between "quick wins" and long-term strategic overhauls.
  
• Working effectively with cross-functional teams (IT, Finance, and Operations) to ensure project data integrity and P&L realization.

Working conditions:

Works in a dynamic, hybrid capacity that bridges the gap between high-level corporate strategy and the tactical reality of the warehouse floor. While a significant portion of his time is spent in a climate-controlled office or remote setting performing deep-dive data mining and BI tool development, may frequently be required to enter the "Gemba" - the actual place where work happens. In these distribution centers, employees will be exposed to an industrial environment characterized by fluctuating temperatures, moderate noise from conveyor systems and forklift traffic, and the fast-paced activity of a high-volume supply chain. Must be comfortable navigating these spaces to observe workflows firsthand and conduct root cause analyses alongside frontline teams. May requires a high degree of physical presence and stamina. Must be capable of standing and walking for extended periods - often several hours at a time to perform time studies and audit operational bottlenecks across large facility footprints. This position is not strictly bound to a desk; may travel up to 35% of the time to support 19 regional branches across North America. While generally maintaining a standard business schedule, the requirement to "identify and quantify opportunities" means they may occasionally work irregular hours, including night or weekend shifts, to observe different operational cycles.