Project Manager, Process Improvement

Connexus® Energy; Ramsey (MN); Hybrid; USD 101,100 - 132,720; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Health savings account

Flexible spending accounts

401(k) plan with company matching

PTO

Holiday pay

Tuition reimbursement

Recognition program

Employee referral program

Employee activities

Company paid life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Job summary

Connexus Energy is seeking a Project Manager, Process Improvement to lead cross-functional initiatives that enhance operational performance and deliver measurable business value. You will partner with business leaders, stakeholders and operations teams to identify opportunities, define scope, manage execution, and implement sustainable solutions that strengthen our continuous improvement culture.

In this role you will develop charters and plans, track benefits, mentor teams, and ensure projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 3+ years leading cross-functional projects or process improvement.
• Experience managing full project lifecycle from planning to closure.
• Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen or similar continuous improvement methods.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with executive reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple process improvement projects with functional owners.
• Develop charters, plans, schedules, budgets, and resources.
• Develop metrics and methodologies for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate meetings, communicate status updates, manage stakeholders.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Monitor performance using key metrics and reporting tools.
• Identify change management needs with Technology Adoption Leader.
• Document outcomes and sustainment plans for realized benefits.
• Support PMO intake and prioritization; align work with strategic initiatives.
• Maintain project data, status, and benefit tracking for leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Communication skills

Executive reporting

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

AI tools for planning

Job description

Are you a collaborative and supportive individual looking to lead process improvement initiatives? Join the Connexus Energy team as a Project Manager, Process Improvement and lead cross-functional initiatives that improve operational performance and support the organization’s strategic objectives. This role works closely with business leaders, stakeholders, and operational teams to identify improvement opportunities, define project scope, manage execution, and implement sustainable solutions that deliver measurable business value. Using project management best practices and continuous improvement methodologies, the Project Manager, Process Improvement streamlines processes, reduces waste, improves member experiences, and increases organizational effectiveness. This role is accountable for delivering measurable process improvements that improve operational efficiency, strengthen project execution, and support a consistent continuous improvement culture across the organization.

Location:

Work for this position can be performed both on-site at our campus located at 14601 Ramsey Blvd, Ramsey, MN 55303, and from your local home office, as duties require. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements, hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota.

Compensation:

The anticipated hiring range is between $101,100 - 132,720. The final compensation offered is based on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience and skill level. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual bonus with a target payout of 8% based on company performance.

In this position, you will:

• Lead multiple process improvement projects in partnership with functional owners.
• Develop project charters, project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Develop metrics and methodologies that support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate project meetings, communicate status updates, and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Identify project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively address issues.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Monitor project performance using key metrics and reporting tools.
• Identify and facilitate change management activities as required by project scope, in partnership with the Technology Adoption Leader.
• Document project outcomes, lessons learned, and sustainment plans to support benefit realization after implementation.

Project Management Office (PMO) Support

• Support the intake of new project requests and prioritization.
• Partner with business stakeholders to develop project charters and scoping documentation for further evaluation.
• Ensure project work is aligned with strategic initiatives.
• Support PMO reporting by maintaining accurate project data, status information, and benefit tracking for leadership review.
• Perform cost-benefit analysis across multiple process improvement opportunities.
• Lead Process Improvement Committee work in support of corporate scorecard goal achievement.
• Develop course content, teaching tools, and training materials.
• Provide formal and informal improvement training to employees and leaders.

Need to have:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 3+ years of experience leading cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, or operational transformation.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects through the full project lifecycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
• Experience applying continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar frameworks.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and executive reporting capabilities.

Nice to have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or Project Management.
• 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, or operational transformation efforts at an electric utility.
• PMP certification, or similar.
• Experience with change management and business transformation initiatives.
• Experience using AI tools to aid in project planning & controlling and process improvement initiatives.

About Connexus Energy:

Based in Ramsey, Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest electric cooperative, providing electricity, renewable energy alternatives and related services to 150,000 residential and commercial members just north of the Twin Cities. We offer a collaborative work environment with challenging and rewarding work, which provides for professional development and work-life balance in a highly technical, stable and innovative industry. We give back to the communities we have served for more than 80 years by embracing opportunities to volunteer, donate and support economic development. Our talented and friendly staff focuses on achieving our mission of powering our members and communities toward a smarter energy future with a passionate focus on affordability, innovation, safety, and grid reliability.

Connexus Energy’s benefits package includes

• medical/dental/vision insurance
• health savings account
• flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) plan with generous company matching and non-matching contributions and independent investment advisory services
• accrued PTO
• holiday pay
• tuition reimbursement
• recognition program
• employee referral program
• employee activities
• Company paid life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability

Equal Opportunity Employer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability status, veteran status, or other legally protected status.