Continuous Improvement Capability Lead (Sr. Director)

Company: Smith & Nephew
Location: Minneapolis
Posted on: April 1, 2025

Job Description:

Continuous Improvement Capability Lead (Sr. Director)Apply locations US - Field Mansfield, MA Pittsburgh, PA Andover, MA US - Columbia MD time type Full time posted on Posted 28 Days Ago job requisition id R80010Continuous Improvement Capability Lead (Sr. Director)Reports to: VP of S+N Operating SystemJob DescriptionPOSITION SUMMARYThe Continuous Improvement Capability Lead (Sr. Director) leads the development and supports deployment of the Smith+Nephew Operating System tools, materials, training, and governance. This role enhances continuous improvement capabilities in support of the company's strategic vision across all business processes, functions, and initiatives. It supports all aspects of the company by partnering with the Global S+N Operating System leadership team to drive the overall deployment and maturity progression of the S+N Operating System through continuous improvement capabilities. This role has direct reports and works across the global matrixed teams (across functions and regions) to grow the adoption of continuous improvement methodologies aligned to the S+N Operating System for maximum impact and cultural transformation.This role works with all levels in the company to build Continuous Improvement capabilities and execute against the company's S+N Operating System strategy, enabling a continuous improvement culture that routinely achieves company goals.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leads, develops, and directs the Continuous Improvement Capability team. Ensures the team serves as S+N Operating System experts, delivering tools, processes, and training that build consistent Continuous Improvement (CI) capabilities company-wide in alignment with the S+N Operating System strategy and roadmap.
• Supports business and functional leadership with ensuring the team's activities support company goals and objectives.
• Develops and provides subject matter expertise around the company's Operating System tools, technologies, and processes.
• Builds relationships throughout the organization to develop expertise around the Operating System tools, technology, processes, and leadership to enable a CI culture that achieves business goals.
• Enables the development of Continuous Improvement skills throughout the organization, cultivating an action-biased CI organizational culture that empowers teammates to problem solve and simplify processes through CI tools and skills.
• Facilitates the implementation of the S+N Operating System throughout the company.
• Coaches and mentors teammates and leaders organization-wide on consistent S+N Operating System processes, tools, and technology.
• Drives evaluation and prioritization of S+N Operating System tool, supporting material, and technology development and training requests, ensuring proper time/resource allocation aligned to deployment of the S+N Operating System.
• Develops Key Performance Indicators that measure the performance and improvement of the CI Capability team.
• Develops standard processes for intake and prioritization of work, ensuring effective planning, scheduling, tracking, and reporting of all CI Capability team's work.
• Collaborates with the Global S+N Operating System team to leverage and share best practices, and develop best in class Operating System tools, technology, training, and strategy.
• Works with functional teams to streamline processes to improve business objectives, specifically focusing on customer experience, efficiency, and profitable growth.
• Provides support to develop Lean expertise and capability at all levels of the organization.
• Improves the decision-making model and problem-solving capabilities within high performance teams to increase the autonomy and pace of change.SUPPLEMENTAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Performs additional duties as directed.EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Four-year university degree required (Engineering, Sciences, Continuous Improvement, Process Improvement, Business, preferred); Master's Degree preferred
• Leadership roles from disciplines such as Engineering, Integrated Supply Chain, Lean/Operating System/Business System, Operations, and Business Transformation
• Proven track record for developing, training, and coaching teams across cultures
• 8 or more years of continuous improvement, business transformation, process improvement and/or lean experience
• 6 or more years of leadership experience developing, training, coaching, and implementing an enterprise-wide Lean business system
• Or any combination of education and experience to meet the above requirements
• Med-Tech or Healthcare experience a plus
• Microsoft Office expertiseKNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES:
  • Minimum of 6 years of experience and "hands on" track record of implementing successful Lean based business systems including elements such as:
    • Strategy Deployment and A3 Thinking
    • Lean Management Systems (Tiered Accountability, Visual Management, Gemba Walks, Leader Standard Work)
    • Value-Stream Mapping
    • Kaizen events
    • Expertise in problem solving utilizing a formal program/process and experience in delivering certification processes
    • Ability to implement KPI Management across functions and businesses
    • Experience in Change Management, and acts as an influential change agent
    • Broad knowledge of multi-functional, multi-site, global organizational processes and financial business methods
    • Demonstrated skill and confidence in proactively building relationships with top tier partners/leaders both internally and externally
    • Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing comprehensive continuous improvement approaches/methodologies to advance an organization's strategy and goals
    • Great communicator, demonstrated ability in solid written, oral, and presentation-giving skills
    • Ability to effectively work with different cultures in a global, matrixed environment
    • High ethical standards to support a professional business code of conduct
    • Passion for driving improvement and leading change in complex environments
    • A holistic thinker who can look enterprise-wide to integrate and streamline systems for optimal benefit
    • Able to drive strategic thinking and continuous improvement in both operational and non-operational areas, including connecting cross-functional resources to remove waste along the extended value streams
    • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with and positively influence leadership and all levels of the organization
    • Energetic, flexible, collaborative and proactive leader who welcomes challenges
    • Manages time and resources effectively through strong organization, multi-tasking, and time management skills
    • Works independently as a self-starter committed to delivering performance results
    • Analyzes information to make sound business decisions taking prudent business risks as appropriate
    • Strong analytical skills
    • Ability to work independently and as a part of a team to seek resolution to problemsADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
      • Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 50%
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Keywords: Smith & Nephew, Minneapolis , Continuous Improvement Capability Lead (Sr. Director), Executive , Minneapolis, Minnesota