Description

This position is an integral part the Business Excellence team, working with functional leaders to execute process improvement projects aligned with the company’s strategic vision and goals. In this role, the specialist will work closely with business stakeholders to identify and execute projects focused on cost savings, waste reduction and optimization. It will be critical that this role is able to apply critical thinking skills to develop creative approaches and solutions. Fundamental to this position’s success is a specialized project management skillset and running lean/kaizen initiatives, an entrepreneurial spirit and proven success delivering on timelines and savings goals. The position will also be expected to perform work independently with limited oversight from departmental leadership. This role will be expected to challenge the current state in order to achieve the optimal future state through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. The specialist will identify pain points and opportunities for improvement while coordinating with SMEs, stakeholders, and business resources to find solutions. Additionally, the specialist will act as a liaison between the SME’s Champions, and the Business Excellence team to represent the interests of the stakeholders, clarify requirements, and solve for identified gaps.

Accountabilities

• Serves as the Business Excellence point-of-contact for specific project execution, data analysis, and solution implementation.
• Works with process owners and business unit leaders to define objectives related to Lean Six Sigma; applies Lean methodology and Six Sigma expertise to improve operational efficiency and quality.
• Reviews current business practices and challenges processes for opportunities and improvement; develops recommendations and controls for sustained improvements.
• Serves as the lead in developing the Business Excellence training toolkit and training materials for the enterprise and provides teachable points during the project execution.
• Develops current and future state process maps for identified processes.
• Works with the Business Excellence departmental leadership to collaborate and provide advice on project timelines and deliverables from a process improvement perspective.
• Reports out to Business Excellence and business unit leadership on status of project as well requests additional support when needed. Takes the lead on incorporating other resources into projects as needed.
• Travels to project locations to observe processes and interview front line employees.
• Develops and distributes project specific communications for Business Excellence and business unit leadership, as well as team centric communication with a consistent cadence.
• Demonstrates operational excellence by knowing and applying the business requirements. Demonstrates customer focus and contingency planning to ensure stakeholder expectations are met.
• Understands the relevant business metrics and applies effective tactics to sustain a culture of operational effectiveness that produces teams of high performing, engaged and empowered operational leaders.
• Identifies when a rule/regulation/policy has been violated and has one-on-one accountability conversations with an individual who has not met expectations, using KCS Candor, Aligning the Stars & KCS ABC's, and have the individual produce better results.
• Demonstrates KCS's commitment to being ONE TEAM - Living a Speak Up Culture - by using communication and interpersonal skills to enhance inclusion, civility, respect, innovation, safety, customer focus, teamwork within KCS, while encouraging and enabling others to do the same.
• Defines and communicates clearly the teams roles and responsibilities; holds people accountable for accomplishing objectives; recognizes and rewards people who achieve results and deliver on performance expectations; provides pinpointed (specific & measurable) feedback on performance.
• Develops and retains a strong team of high performers; creates a challenging and rewarding work environment; organizes a diverse group of people into a cohesive team to leverage their energy, knowledge and skills; creates grassroots / localized events to train & develop others - including location-specific safety training, localized Speak Up events, regular recognition or team-building activities.
• Exemplifies KCS Vision, Values, and Culture interactions with coworkers, business partners, customers, and stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, preferably in a job related major field of study
• Minimum seven (7) years of relevant professional experience, including specialized knowledge of a discipline utilized to lead an area of our business, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Preferred

• Master’s degree, preferably in Engineering or Business
• Supply chain management experience
• Advanced knowledge of JMP, SiGMA XL, Minitab, Python, R or other statistical software package
• Ability to define current/future business models and influence the interconnections between the business processes, technology, data, and people
• Intuitively assess the best course of action to take in a given situation and understand how and when to apply Lean Six Sigma guidelines
• Railroad industry experience
• Experience working with distributed teams
• Experience with creating and managing optimization models

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel internationally based upon project demands
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Visio
• Ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts to broad audiences
• Ability to manage multiple sets of priorities and deliverables in a fast-pace environment
• Strong facilitation, active listening and interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop and foster strong relationships with business units
• Ability to deal with complex situations holistically
• Experience managing and working through organizational behavioral change
• This position has a regular full time schedule with a normal work week of Monday through Friday. There may be a need for occasional work after hours or weekends.
• This position may require minimal travel up to 20% of the time.

We Offer:

• Complete health and welfare benefits package
• Competitive salary
• Incentive plan
• Railroad Retirement benefits
• 401k savings
• Leave/vacation plan

EEO Statement

We value a culturally diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer while providing reasonable accommodations for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.

Company Overview

In 1887, Arthur Stilwell constructed a north-south railroad while others were heading east and west, setting the tone for a century-old legacy of outstanding vision; entrepreneurial spirit; resilience in the face of adversity; and, willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. Building on that legacy, our culture is further defined by a new vision for the future and a core set of values - Safety, Customer Focus, Communication, Teamwork, Initiative & Innovation, and Diversity & Civility. We believe that the way we do business is as important as the business we do.

In addition to a culture that allows employees to thrive, we encourage resourcefulness with an award, recognizing employees who see a problem (or opportunity), find a solution, and use whatever authority and resources are available to get a job done well - accomplishing what was previously thought could not be done.

If you want to do work that is creative and strategic, be heard, grow professionally, be valued by your employer, and know that you are making an important contribution to an essential industry, a global supply chain, and the larger economy, Kansas City Southern may be the place for you.