Project Manager (Continuous Improvement)

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INC; San Juan Capistrano (CA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Diagnostics Inc. is seeking a Lean Transformation Leader to drive projects and teams applying Lean principles, ensuring efficient service delivery and customer satisfaction. The role will coach others in Lean tools and foster continuous improvement in daily work.

The position is hybrid at the SJC Lab, featuring four days onsite and one day remote, with a pay range of $87,000 to $115,000 per year and potential annual bonus based on performance.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience leading projects from initiation to completion.
• Associates degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Formal training in project management or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean)

Responsibilities

• Provides support to key laboratory departments to ensure quality, service delivery, and cost savings targets are met.
• Spends significant time in the lab to learn processes and understand pain points.
• Leads projects and working teams to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects.
• Applies Lean principles to a variety of small to medium projects and coaching.
• Coaches employees on Lean tools and practices to build self-sufficiency.

Skills

Problem solving

Written and verbal communication

Data analysis

Relationship building

Multi-project management

MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Planning and organization

Creativity

Persistence

Composure

Rapid learning

Education

Associates Degree (Required)

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

This position will lead a variety of projects and teams to apply Business Transformation/Lean principles and tools to ensure Quest Diagnostics is efficient and effective in the delivery of its services, solutions, and processes while improving customer and employee satisfaction. This position will also be responsible for coaching others to learn and apply Lean principles and tools to their daily work.

This is a Hybrid position at SJC Lab (4 days onsite, 1 day work from home).

Pay Range: $87,000 - $115,000/ year

Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Successful candidates may be eligible to receive annual performance bonus compensation.

Benefits

• Medical/Prescription Drugs
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Supplemental Health Plans
• 401(k) Plan – Company match dollar-for-dollar up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability buy-up
• Blueprint for Wellness
• Emotional Well-Being Resources
• Educational Assistance
• Paid time off / Health Time

Responsibilities

• Provides support to key laboratory departments to ensure quality, service delivery, and cost savings targets are met
  • Spends significant time in the lab to learn processes, build relationships, and understand pain points
  • Collaborates with department leadership to review turnaround time, productivity, and quality metrics to drive improvements
  • Establishes a pipeline of continuous improvement projects that includes a mix of self-led and mentored initiatives
• Leads projects and working teams to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects
  • Leads projects
    • Leads projects through issues, roadblocks, and problems
    • Acts as a change agent to drive teams toward success
    • Guides team members to perform through issues and constraints
  • Owns projects
    • Owns the timeline, budget, resource constraints, and deliverables/results
    • Shifts between the big picture and the small‑but‑crucial details
    • Is prepared to roll up their sleeves and work through detailed issues
  • Manages projects
    • Ensures all appropriate tools are completed and used effectively (e.g., charter, Gantt chart, status updates)
  • Communicates
    • Actively communicates with project sponsors and stakeholders
    • Establishes regular points of communication
    • Manages sponsor and stakeholder expectations
  • Delivers the expected results
    • Performs root cause analysis on project shortfalls and takes corrective action as necessary
• Applies Business Transformation/Lean principles and tools toward a variety of small to medium projects as well as other necessary skills, such as:
  • Identifying root causes of issues and designing solutions that address them
  • Defining, monitoring, and controlling processes
  • Understanding (internal/external) customer needs and designing solutions around them
  • Identifying the impacts from change and developing proactive change plans
• Supports various teams to achieve their goals by facilitating on‑site workshops, rapid continuous improvement events, and providing ongoing guidance or consultation
• Coaches other employees on the use of various tools, concepts and practices foundational to Business Transformation/Lean in order for Quest Diagnostics employees to build self‑sufficiency, sustainability and scalability
• Participates in Communities of Practice
• Leads Business Transformation/Lean training classes
• Documents business processes
• Completes required continued learning

Qualifications

Required Work Experience

• Demonstrated experience (1 to 3 years) of leading projects from initiation to completion

Physical and Mental Requirements

• The normal performance of duties may require lifting and carrying objects
• Frequent walking and/or standing

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of SJC lab systems (SunQuest, Cognos, Atlas, QLS, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience facilitating discussions or workshops
• Some experience leading changes

Skills

• Problem‑solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills across multiple formats: formal presentations, meetings, conference calls, e‑mails, and memos
• Demonstrated data analysis skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with others
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Comfortable using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Interpersonal skills
• Decision‑making skills
• Planning and organization skills
• Results‑oriented
• Creative
• Persistent
• Composed
• Able to learn new concepts rapidly

Education

Associates Degree (Required)

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

License and Certifications

Formal training in project management or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Lean, Theory of constraints)

Quest Diagnostics honors our service members and encourages veterans to apply.

While we appreciate and value our staffing partners, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Quest will not be responsible for paying agency fees for any individual as to whom an agency has sent an unsolicited resume.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.