Operational Excellence Partner III

Standard Insurance; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Annual bonus

Paid time off

Parental leave

Volunteer hours

Job summary

The Standard is seeking an Operational Excellence Partner in Portland, OR to lead cross-functional improvement initiatives and partner with business leaders to drive measurable outcomes. You will coach teams, map processes, and apply data-driven problem solving to standardize work and raise organizational capability.

Travel is required for planning, team building, and conferences. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and 3–5 years of experience in process improvement, with Lean and Six

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required in a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in process improvement or operational excellence.
• Experience applying continuous improvement tools and methodologies (standard work, process mapping, A3, 5S, root cause analysis, data-driven metrics).
• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Experience in group insurance, financial services, or a similar industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate training and coaching on continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and best practices to build organizational capability and foster a culture of operational excellence.
• Identify, analyze, and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and operational results through process mapping, root cause analysis, data analysis, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Partner with leaders to establish key performance metrics, enhance visual management systems, and strengthen routines such as huddles, leader standard work, and performance reviews.
• Work closely with business partners and support teams to share best practices, solve complex problems, standardize processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support organizational goals.
• This role requires traveling annually for planning purposes, team building, or conferences.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Process mapping

Root cause analysis

Data-driven decision making

Change management

Agile familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

5S

A3 problem solving

Visual management

Job description

The next part of your journey is right around the corner - with The Standard.

A genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others is the foundation for everything we do. With a customer-first mindset and an intentional focus on building strong teams, we've been able to uphold our legacy of financial stability while investing in new, innovative technologies that support the needs of our customers. Our high-performance culture focused on operational excellence thrives thanks to remarkable people united by compassion and a customer-first commitment. Are you ready to make a difference?

Job Summary

Operational Excellence Partners drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and strategic alignment. This role partners with business leaders to identify improvement opportunities, facilitate process optimization, and implement data-driven solutions. Through coaching, assessment, and the use of continuous improvement methodologies, the Operational Excellence Partner helps build organizational capability, standardize work practices, and deliver measurable business results. The role will also lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that support operational excellence and long-term organizational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate training and coaching on continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and best practices to build organizational capability and foster a culture of operational excellence.
• Identify, analyze, and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and operational results through process mapping, root cause analysis, data analysis, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Partner with leaders to establish key performance metrics, enhance visual management systems, and strengthen routines such as huddles, leader standard work, and performance reviews.
• Work closely with business partners and support teams to share best practices, solve complex problems, standardize processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support organizational goals.
• *This role requires traveling annually for planning purposes, team building, or conferences.

Skills and Background You'll Need

• Education: Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Quality Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of progressive experience in process improvement, operational excellence, or continuous improvement roles.
• Experience applying continuous improvement tools and methodologies, including standard work, process mapping, A3 problem solving, 5S, root cause analysis, and data-driven performance measurement.
• Experience applying Lean and/or Six Sigma principles to improve processes, quality, efficiency, and business outcomes.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities, analyze root causes, and implement sustainable solutions using structured problem-solving techniques.
• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Experience in group insurance, financial services, or a similar industry preferred.
• Proven ability to partner with and consult operational leaders and business stakeholders preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile frameworks and change management principles preferred.

Key Behaviors of a Successful Candidate

• Improvement Mindset: Continually seeks new ways to create business/ customer value by identifying and implementing opportunities for improved efficiency, effectiveness and innovation.
• Customer Focus: Understands and anticipates both internal and external customer needs and develops customer-inspired solutions that exceed expectations.
• Winning Together: Actively engages colleagues to achieve shared outcomes by developing trust, inviting diverse perspectives and pushing to bring the best ideas forward.

Why Join The Standard?

We have built an enduring legacy of stability, financial strength and exceptional customer service through the contributions of the service-oriented people who choose to work at The Standard. To ensure we can attract and retain the best talent, when you join The Standard you can expect:

• A rich benefits package including medical, dental, vision and a 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• An annual incentive bonus plan
• Generous paid time off including 11 holidays, 2 wellness days, and 8 volunteer hours annually - PTO increases with tenure
• A supportive, responsive management approach and opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Paid parental leave and adoption/surrogacy assistance
• An employee giving program that double matches your donations to eligible nonprofits and schools

In addition to the competitive salary range below, our employee-focused benefits support work-life balance. Learn more about working at The Standard.

Eligibility to participate in an incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program and plan. Any award depends on a variety of factors including individual and organizational