Senior Operational Excellence Black Belt

USA-MiniMed Distribution Corp. 1018; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

MiniMed is seeking a Senior Operational Excellence / Lean Six Sigma Black Belt to lead complex manufacturing improvement projects with substantial autonomy at our Northridge, CA site.

You will drive measurable savings using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and process simulation, coach teams, and apply tools such as Minitab and Power BI. A 7+ year track record and a Black Belt certification are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of relevant experience required.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from a recognized organization is required.
• Experience leading complex Lean Six Sigma projects with measurable results required.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and implementing sustainable Lean improvements required.
• Lean manufacturing skills including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Gemba and line balancing required.
• Experience with statistical analysis, data visualization and analytical tools required.
• Proficiency with Minitab and Power BI required.
• Experience with capacity analysis and production-system optimization required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and sustains process improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Leads large, complex projects delivering financial and operational results (Labor, Scrap/MUV, burden savings).
• Plans and facilitates Kaizen events from opportunity identification to sustainment.
• Applies Lean methods like Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work and Gemba reporting.
• Performs state analyses of manufacturing processes and translates findings into action plans.
• Uses statistical analysis and data analytics to identify opportunities and support decisions.
• Employs capacity modeling and simulation to evaluate scenarios and staffing.
• Establishes metrics, control plans, and governance to sustain improvements.
• Coaches cross-functional teams and builds Lean Six Sigma capabilities across the organization.
• Partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance to prioritize opportunities.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Kaizen events

Value Stream Mapping

Gemba

Line balancing

Standard Work

Visual management

Takt-time analysis

Process improvement

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Tools

Minitab

Power BI

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 30 Oct 2026

At MiniMed, you can begin a lifelong career of exploration and innovation, while helping make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes around the globe. You'll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation for a more connected, compassionate world.

About the Role

This is a senior individual-contributor Operational Excellence / Lean Six Sigma Black Belt role focused on leading complex manufacturing improvement work with significant autonomy and cross-functional influence.

The role is responsible for delivering measurable savings and operational improvements through Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, VSM, flow, pull, line balancing, standard work, statistical analysis, capacity modeling and process simulation. It also includes coaching teams, sustaining improvements through management systems, and using tools such as Minitab, Power BI, automation and AI-enabled analytics.

The ideal candidate is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with 7+ years of experience, strong hands-on Lean manufacturing capability, proven financial results, advanced analytical skills, and the ability to lead major projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority. Simulation experience is strongly preferred; AI/digital experience is preferred.

This role is full-time on-site in Northridge, CA.

Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.

• Develops, implements and sustains process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma and other Operational Excellence methodologies.
• Leads large, complex improvement projects that deliver measurable financial and operational results, including Labor, Scrap/MUV and Burden savings.
• Plans and facilitates Kaizen events and rapid-improvement activities from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Applies Lean methods including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Leader Standard Work, Gemba, visual management, line balancing, flow, pull systems, production leveling, takt-time analysis and waste elimination.
• Leads current-state and future-state analysis of manufacturing processes, material flow and information flow and translates findings into executable improvement plans.
• Applies statistical analysis, data analytics and digital tools to identify opportunities, understand process variation and support fact-based decision making.
• Uses capacity analysis, process modeling and simulation tools to evaluate manufacturing scenarios, staffing, layouts, material flow and production-system performance.
• Establishes performance metrics, control plans and management systems to measure results and sustain improvements.
• Facilitates and coaches cross-functional teams and builds Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving capability across the organization.
• Partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance and other functions to prioritize and execute improvement opportunities.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage automation, AI-enabled tools and other emerging technologies to improve productivity, analysis and operational decision making.
• Supports Operational Excellence governance, project reviews, communications, training and certification activities.

Must Have

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from a recognized organization is required.
• Experience leading complex Lean Six Sigma projects with measurable financial and operational results is required.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and implementing sustainable Lean improvements is required.
• Lean manufacturing, including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Leader Standard Work, Gemba, line balancing, flow, pull systems, production leveling and visual management is required.
• Experience in applying statistical analysis, data visualization and analytical tools to process improvement is required.
• Proficiency with statistical software such as Minitab or equivalent is required.
• Experience with business intelligence and data visualization tools such as Power BI or equivalent is required.
• Experience with manufacturing capacity analysis, material-flow analysis, line design and production-system optimization is required.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders without direct authority is required.

Nice to Have

• Experience with process simulation, capacity modeling or manufacturing-system modeling tools is strongly preferred.
• Experience applying AI-enabled analytics, generative AI, automation or other emerging digital technologies to manufacturing or business-process improvement is strongly preferred.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees