Performance Excellence Advisor

Job Title: Performance Excellence Advisor

Department: Performance Excellence

Reports to: Director, Performance Excellence

Exemption: Exempt

Location: Covington, LA

Position Summary

The Performance Excellence Advisor is responsible for leveraging process improvement expertise, including Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, to facilitate process improvement and transformational change initiatives to maximize value for our stakeholders and achieve agency-wide strategic objectives, resulting in more saved lives. Supports and fosters the vision and core values of LOPA and its commitment to organ and tissue donation.

Essential Functions

• Subject matter expert of Process Improvement principles and tools
  • Serves as a trusted partner for the leadership team in the application of lean principles and the deployment of continuous improvement methodologies to support LOPA’s mission, vision and strategic objectives
  • Partners with leaders and team members across the agency to prepare for, facilitate, and sustain improvement endeavors
  • Uses A3 thinking, voice of the customer, process mapping, waste identification, root cause analysis, solution approach, impact assessment, rapid experiments, 5S, standard work, one piece flow, pull, visual management and other tools while facilitating a comprehensive and disciplined approach to problem-solving
  • Dedicates time to gain business understanding, develop relationships and build trust with employees at all levels of the organization
• Strategic Thinking Process
  • Collaborates with agency leadership team and other members of the Performance Excellence team to prepare for the annual strategic planning process
  • Facilitates the process of gathering input from staff and leaders in relation to organizational Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
  • Leads the facilitation of Value Stream Analysis for assigned work system resulting in a strategic plan that aligns with the enterprise plan and organizational North Star Vision
• Data analysis
  • With process owners, leaders, and other colleagues, gathers and analyzes data to understand the performance of internal processes
  • Partners with Business Intelligence team members to ensure the data being used is accurate, relevant and timely and supports process control and other quality-related methods utilizing statistical techniques
  • Creates and uses a variety of visualizations to clearly communicate the results of data analysis with stakeholders, tailoring the message to the needs of the audience
• Knowledge Transfer & Education
  • Provides coaching and guidance for process owners, leaders, and other colleagues to develop continuous improvement capabilities and to facilitate integration of Lean/Six Sigma principles and tools throughout the agency to increase the problem-solving capabilities
  • Provides coaching and guidance to support adherence to standard work and ensure sustainment of improved performance
  • Supports the development and implementation of formal pathways for colleagues to learn and grow in their ability to apply continuous improvement principles and change management principles, tools and methodologies in their daily work to solve customer problems
• Department and Organization Support
  • Participates as an active member of the department and organization to support LOPA’s mission
  • Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and development for self and others
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; equivalent education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Lean/Six Sigma/PMP certification preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Performance Improvement Analyst, Engineer, Consultant or equivalent responsible for applying Lean/Six Sigma principles and tools to facilitate improvement events, and daily improvement / strategy deployment
• Project Management experience or experience working in the healthcare industry is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• High proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and cloud-based tools.
• Strong meeting coordination, documentation, and presentation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience mentoring or training others and leading process improvements.
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Primarily sedentary with use of hands, fingers, and visual focus.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 50 pounds.
• Possible exposure to packaged organs or tissues during office or hospital coordination.
• Occasional in-state travel may be required.

Work Hours

• Full time position. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm with flex time available at the discretion of the direct supervisor. 

ADA & EEO Compliance

LOPA provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources.