The Operational Excellence Engineer III at Emory Healthcare is a senior-level role responsible for leading high-impact, cross-functional process improvement initiatives that directly contribute to enhanced patient care, operational efficiency, and cost reduction. This role involves managing complex projects, serving as a strategic advisor on operational improvements, and mentoring junior team members. The Engineer III will leverage advanced Lean Six Sigma methodologies to identify and execute improvements across departments, facilitating a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership in Process Improvement:
- Lead and manage high-impact, complex projects focused on optimizing healthcare systems and workflows, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving organizational efficiency.
- Apply a structured methodology to address cross-departmental systems and processes, recommend improvements, and coordinate change implementation through individual and team facilitation.
Strategic Data Analysis:
- Conduct sophisticated data analysis using statistical and analytical tools to assess operational performance, identify process bottlenecks, and pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Develop advanced control charts, predictive models, and comprehensive performance dashboards.
- Utilize advanced techniques to access eHMR database system and retrieve custom reports and metrics.
Mentorship and Training:
- Serve as a mentor and resource to junior engineers and staff members on Lean Six Sigma principles, project management, and analytical techniques.
- Provide training on complex concepts, including value stream mapping, process reengineering, and advanced root cause analysis.
Project Management & Execution:
- Lead all aspects of project management, from initial planning and stakeholder alignment to implementation and post-project evaluation.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and align with Emory Healthcare's strategic goals.
Operational Assessment & Productivity Review:
- Conduct in-depth assessments of departmental productivity and operational efficiency. Identify root causes of inefficiencies, develop actionable recommendations, and partner with departments to implement sustainable solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Act as a liaison between departments, facilitating cross-functional teams to identify and execute improvement initiatives that align with organizational priorities.
- Collaborate with clinical and administrative leaders to drive best practices in operational excellence.
Reporting & Communication to Senior Leadership:
- Develop and present executive-level reports, analyses, and project outcomes.
- Effectively communicate project progress, impact, and value to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement:
- Research and implement cutting-edge operational improvement strategies and industry best practices.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that build a sustainable culture of operational excellence across Emory Healthcare.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, or a related Engineering field.
- Master's degree preferred.
Experience:
- 5-7 years of experience in process improvement, engineering, or operations, with a minimum of 3 years in a healthcare environment.
- Proven experience in leading complex projects with measurable impact.
Certifications:
- Lean and/or Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
- Additional certifications in project management or process improvement methodologies preferred.
Skills:
- Advanced expertise in Process Improvement methodologies, with a proven ability to apply these concepts to complex, large-scale projects.
- Proficient in data analysis and visualization tools, including Excel, Tableau, Power BI, Minitab, or other statistical software.
- Strong project management skills, capable of independently managing multiple high-impact projects.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with experience interacting with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
Competencies:
Strategic Leadership:
- Ability to influence and guide high-level process improvement initiatives with a focus on strategic alignment with organizational goals.
Analytical Excellence:
- Expert in data analysis, with a proven ability to use analytics to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
Mentorship & Collaboration:
- Skilled at mentoring and leading junior team members, and at fostering collaboration across departments.
Results-Oriented:
- Demonstrated success in delivering substantial improvements in quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes in a healthcare setting.