Process Improvement/ Project Manager Operations - Full-time

Discover Lean is a management approach that blends Lean and Six Sigma disciplines with hypothesis-driven problem-solving to accelerate "Continuous Improvement with a Customer Mindset." The Payments Lean Center of Excellence (PLCOE) was created in March of 2014 as a primary catalyst and thought-partner to scope and accomplish step-change Lean initiatives, embed best-in-class practices across the networks, support flagship projects, build on process-excellence, and foster a culture of lean management within the Payments Division. They work in very close collaboration with the Discover Lean Group, which was created in 2008. They are tied to the same vision of implementing the 4 pillars of Discover Lean which are Customer Focus, Process Management, Fact-Based Decision Making, and Cross-Functional Collaboration. The PLCOE is supported by a Payments Lean Steering Committee, which includes executives and directors from across Discover Network, Pulse, and Diner’s Club International. The Payments Lean Steering Committee also works in close collaboration with DFS Lean Council. Given the broad cross-functional exposure received and high-impact project work, members of the PLCOE are generally expected to move into multiple areas across the company as they advance/grow with DFS.

PLCOE Managers with emphasis on Black Belt and Master Black Belt responsibilities execute on Lean and Operational Excellence strategies, training, and project and program level initiatives on a day-to-day basis. This includes working with teams to create and execute Payments strategies in institutionalizing Operational Excellence, enabling the use of best practices, and for Lean adoption, working with DLG Lean training management to scope and assist in developing and delivering Lean Six Sigma trainings. Responsibilities also include mentoring Black Belts, directors and management, and staff in Lean Change Agent programs. In addition, responsibilities include strategy and execution of the pipeline of projects and programs in Payments. The managers will be expected to assist in all aspects of execution of the Design For Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC model for projects and programs, including in-depth data analyses inclusive of gathering data, performing analyses and generating insights, and working as thought partners with teams of Lean experts and business experts to create new solutions. Managers in Lean Six Sigma will also develop a deeper understanding of business unit issues and work alongside business unit partners to realize results.

Key responsibilities:

•Lead in the execution and adoption of Lean strategy for Payments Lean Center of Excellence

•Lead in the development and execution of training for Lean Change Agents and staff

•Lead in the scoping, development management, and execution of project pipeline as well as individual projects and programs

•Promote the widespread use and adoption of Operational Excellence tools and practices

•Lead in the development of a Design for Lean and Six Sigma framework

•Generate customer insights based on customer interviews, focus groups and surveys. Customer insights will be a key factor shaping solution development

•Facilitate Lean sprint sessions

•Use Lean and/or Six Sigma tools to map current-state processes and design future-state processes

•Conduct in-depth data analyses – including data collection, data analyses, and synthesis of data to generate key insights

•Help understand key metrics for scorecard creation and project execution including project scoping

•Work with Payments Leaders to identify, promote, spread, and maintain best practices

•Build relationships with all key constituents necessary to deliver project results

•Perform analyses involving evaluating and interpreting data and refining existing methods and techniques in order to reach conclusions using high level of query languages to extract data, and a knowledge of descriptive statistics

•Articulate strong fact-driven recommendations

Qualifications

•Bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering
•7-10 years work experience, preferably in financial services
•5 to 7 years relevant Lean Six Sigma or process improvement related work experience
•1 to 3 years Lean Six Sigma Black Belt experience required
•Strong analytical skills
•Experience/ Strong proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Advanced Excel – including macros, logic functions, solver, etc.) and data analysis tools such as Minitab
•Familiarity with Business Process Management tools
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal change-management capabilities
•MBA or advanced degree preferred
•Driven to continuously grow one’s lean, payment networks, and project management skills and knowledge through training, conferences, and industry benchmarking

• Promote a risk-aware culture, ensure efficient and effective risk and compliance management practices by adhering to required standards and processes.

#LI-AD1
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.