Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement

Quest Diagnostics; Tampa (FL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Diagnostics seeks a Lean Transformation leader to develop and deploy Lean Business System standards across the organization within a hybrid work model anchored to Tampa, FL and other listed sites. You will drive front-line engagement, standard work, Kaizen events, and cross-functional improvement initiatives to elevate operational performance.

The role requires senior-level Lean experience, proven change management, and the ability to deliver measurable results while ensuring compliance

Qualifications

• 7+ years of cross-functional roles including leadership applying Lean methodologies.
• Experience implementing a Lean Business System in a mature continuous improvement environment.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets and deliver measurable results.
• Experience applying Lean in transactional office environments with real industry examples.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation and deployment of Lean Toolkit standards across the organization.
• Coach front-line teams in DMS, Model Lines, Kaizen, and problem-solving events.
• Drive multiple complex Lean projects through chartering, prework, implementation, and sustainment.
• Engage senior leadership to adopt Lean Business System standards and drive cultural change.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards while improving performance.

Skills

Lean leadership

Kaizen events

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Industrial Engineering

Tools

DMS

Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

A3 Problem Solving

Job description

Job Description

This role is responsible for leading Lean Business Transformation by developing and deploying Lean Business System standards across the organization to improve operational performance. This is a Hybrid position. The incumbent must reside in a commutable distance to one of our offices in Tampa, FL, Tucker, GA, Greensboro, NC and Miramar, FL.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation and implementation of Lean Toolkit (Std Work, DMS, Problem Solving, Kaizen, VSM).
• Be an expert at leading front-line teams at implementing DMS, Model Lines, Problem Solving, Kaizen events.
• Lead multiple complex Lean projects through all stages of charter, prework, implementation, and sustainment.
• Engage with senior leadership and teams to adopt Lean Business System standards.
• Drive cultural transformation by promoting problem solving and empowering employee ownership of their roles in continuous improvement.
• Lead and coach teams in problem solving to identify root causes with action plans and develop a sustaining culture of continuous improvement.
• Apply change management strategies to foster successful implementation of standard work.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements as well as internal standards for safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of cross-functional roles including leadership experience directly applying Lean methodologies.
• Experience implementing a Lean Business System in a well-established continuous improvement organization such as Toyota, Danaher, GE, Emerson.
• Successfully managed project budgets.
• Proven knowledge and experience applying Lean methodologies in transactional office environments and provides real transactional lean examples from industry (Financial, Commercial, Service, etc.).
• Demonstrates Lean leadership at leading multiple Kaizen events to achieve operational results.

Preferred Work Experience

• Lean expertise working in a mature Lean organization: Toyota Production System, Danaher Business System, Shingijutsu Kaizen.
• Successfully led 25+ Kaizen team events of 5-days with proven impact to KPIs.
• Led teams in adopting Daily Management Systems, Model Line implementation, Problem Solving Process (A3).

Physical And Mental Requirements

• Ability to visit and interact with office and lab employees at local and national sites.

Skills

• Ability to diagnose current business processes, then articulate and ideal target condition, using Lean/Kata coaching methods.
• Prior successful experience applying transactional continuous flow using principles of Takt time, standard work, and single piece flow.
• Ability to accurately assess business performance from a general manager’s perspective and provide insights for improvement.
• Prioritize and self-manage multiple projects.
• Exceptional communication skills with multiple levels of the organization.
• Plans and leads communication planning and change management methods.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience. (Required)
• Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering Degree (Preferred)

Licenses And Certifications

• Lean Six-Sigma Blackbelt certification, Shingijutsu Kaizen or equivalent from Toyota, Danaher, GE (Preferred)

Work Environment

• Hybrid onsite at office, laboratory, and virtual remote.
• Occasional 2nd & 3rd Shift work at laboratories to lead Kaizen event teams and implement process improvements.

Travel

Travel up to 25% required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Quest Diagnostics honors our service members and encourages veterans to apply. Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.