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Northwestern Mutual · 7 hours ago

Operational Excellence Consultant

Franklin, WI

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$77K/yr - $164K/yr

5+ years exp

Northwestern Mutual is a financial services company that is seeking an Operational Excellence Consultant. The role focuses on improving business processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction while collaborating with various stakeholders to implement effective solutions.

AdviceConsultingEmployee BenefitsFinanceFinancial ServicesInsuranceLife InsuranceWealth Management

Responsibilities

Measure, analyze, and evaluate existing processes, collect data to identify root causes, perform cost benefit analysis, and identify improvement opportunities

Identify, implement, and maintain an effective process measurement system and define data collection plans (what data is, where it comes from) for each measure

Conduct current state process interviews and subject matter expert job shadows

Document processes according to Business Process Mapping standards

Develop, recommend, and independently implement solutions for process improvement, system enhancement, and operations efficiency that are aligned with business priorities

Develop, recommend, and independently implement methods to monitor and control redesigned processes and identify when processes begin degrading

Design, guide, and promote process architecture that aligns with business priorities

Promote and share best practices on process improvement activities across the organization

Research process improvement tools, techniques, and technology to determine potential impact and opportunities to provide additional value to the organization

Use documented processes to write detailed procedures that guide the user through the transaction

Demonstrate highly empathetic, customer-centric service while aiding others in their learning and execution of transformational activities. Customer may include the field

Guide improvement initiatives and mindsets for business partners with solid emotional intelligence and political acumen

Collaborate with business leaders, technology, and other stakeholders to connect process architecture roadmap with operational decisions

Recognize opportunities to connect processes across journeys

Provide subject matter expertise in process improvement to product, operations, and/or technology teams in collaboration with other disciplines

Coordinate and facilitate cross-functional project teams

Build commitment and understanding required to accomplish the improvement goals for the organization

Lead others through ambiguity with confidence and engagement

Proactively coach, develop, and train leaders and staff on principles, behaviors, methods, and tools to promote and sustain cultural transformation

Mentor others with less experience to grow their capabilities, knowledge, and skills

Qualification

Lean Six Sigma Black BeltProcess ImprovementProject ManagementData AnalysisBusiness Process MappingAdaptive CommunicationAnalytical ThinkingRoot Cause AnalysisContinuous ImprovementLearning AgilityInterpersonal SavvyStakeholder RelationshipProcess Mindset

Required

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent

Minimum of 5 years of project management, manager, team lead, or business consultant experience in technology and/or business functions

Minimum Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Ability to communicate at various levels of the organization to increase engagement and understanding of process improvement processes, goals and benefits

Strong project management skills with the ability to lead or manage highly complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, process improvements, communications and difficult change management

Superior oral and written communications skills with the proven ability to build relationships and successfully negotiate issues with the home office and field

Demonstrated high level of organization and follow through with the ability to effectively identify and independently establish priorities and meet deadlines on multiple assignments with high quality results

Demonstrated experience with utilizing various systems to collect and analyze data

Previous Facilitator and Coaching experiences where problem solving, process development, and/or behavior change methods and tools have been demonstrated