Partnering/Continuous Improvement Manager - Salado Isolation Mining Contractors

Be part of the nation’s only repository for the disposal of nuclear waste known as Transuranic (TRU) waste.

Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, managing and operating contractor of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is currently seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Partnering/Continuous Improvement Manager to join our team located in Carlsbad, NM.

Responsible for leading the Partnering/Continuous Improvement (PCI) organization mission at WIPP. Provides enterprise process improvement, Lean Six Sigma expertise, and guidance through the development, implementation, and validation of continuous improvement applications. Will collaborate across the WIPP and NTP enterprise to enable cross-functional integration and best practices sharing/implementation. Provides development opportunities to strengthen overall organizational capabilities. Engrains process excellence improvement energy and capabilities throughout the enterprise.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of this position can be categorized: 1) aligning PCI vision and strategy to the WIPP strategic plan, 2) building a PCI culture, 3) developing and executing a system of measurement and feedback, and 4) creating program and cultural sustainability for continuous improvement. Duties that support these responsibilities include:

• Work closely with WIPP executive leadership to introduce and sustain a PCI culture into the enterprise
• Work with organization managers and PCI team to ensure alignment/synchronization of PCI mission, vision and purpose in a capacity that supports WIPP’s business plans
• Advise management and provide strategic direction on PCI project selection, integration of resources and prioritization; provide consistent updates, feedback and support for site projects
• Align with Human Resources, Finance, and CBFO to drive the Continuous Improvement rewards & recognition program; establish employee suggestion system, engagement programs to support innovative thinking while measuring employee understanding/involvement
• Create/manage a system to ensure people development, education, motivation, empowerment and involvement; encourage innovation and experimentation using the scientific method
• Mentor/coach toward integration of principles, values, philosophies and tools for driving continuous improvement
• Maintain proficiency in the latest PCI approaches through networking and participation in conferences/organizations
• Establish/track key CI metrics
• Work with senior organization leaders to collect feedback on current training modules, processes and tools for continuous improvement of PCI operations
• Develop/mentor CI leaders to facilitate/lead continuous improvement activity and develop a sustainable CI culture
• Propose/develop a standard for policies/procedures/strategies in support of the standardization of the enterprise continuous improvement program
• Anticipate/meet/exceed customer expectations by solving problems quickly and effectively
• Adhere to all safety/health rules and regulations; comply/follow all procedures within the company security and ethics policies

What You Can Expect:

• Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
• Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
• Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
• Career advancement and professional development programs
• Work-life balance

Expectations of the Position Include:

• Excellent leadership skills with ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations
• Ability to build coalitions across the WIPP enterprise, including the DOE customer to achieve common goals and enable mission.
• Business acumen to effectively manage talent resources, work with internal customers to prioritize support efforts, PCI financial performance, and information resources.
• Strong skills in continuous improvement tools, to include statistics and statistical control tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals, groups, and executives. Expresses facts and ideas in writing in a clear, convincing, and organized manner.
• Understand the fundamentals and principles of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Industrial Engineering.

Exempt Grade Levels (36-40)

Minimum Requirements: These requirements must be met to be considered for this posting. Uploaded resumes and applications are the means of determination.

• Bachelor’s degree.
  • A combination of education and relevant experience is acceptable, wherein the skills and abilities to perform the position duties and accountabilities have been adequately demonstrated.
• Minimum twelve (12) years of professional experience.
• Experienced in change management, project management and financial management.

Must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

Higher education attainment than listed acceptable per internal level identifiers of accompanying years of experience.

Preferred Requirements:

• At least five (5) years’ experience as a manager in operations, engineering or program management; seven to ten (7-10) years’ preferred.
• Scientific or technical degree or related discipline preferred.
• Six Sigma certified by recognized organizations in the industry (e.g. ASQ, SME, Shingo Institute) preferred.
• Project and facilitation experience in a heavily matrixed environment.
• Experience in change management.

What we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance:
  • Coverage on date of hire
  • Surgical concierge service
  • EAP services including wellness plans, estate planning, financial counseling and more
• Modern work arrangements to include 4-day workweeks (four 10-hour days)*
• Relocation assistance*
• Shuttle commuter service from the local areas
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement program
• On-site fitness center and other wellness support including some public gym membership reductions
• Company paid short term disability
• Company paid life insurance (1 x annual salary)
• Pension plan that provides monthly annuity after retirement and 401(k) with .50 matching up to 6%
• Voluntary benefits of:
  • Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
  • Long-term disability program
  • Health and Flexible savings accounts
  • Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance

*These benefits vary by position.

Minimum salary $128,071 per year of a larger salary range --the specific salary offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors, particularly the candidate’s relevant experience and education.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are an applicant with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact (575) 234-8405 or email wipprecruiting@wipp.ws for assistance. Upon receipt of this information, we will respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Reviews, and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR 707.4, will be conducted by SIMCO and a background investigation by the Federal government may be required to obtain an access authorization prior to employment, and subsequent reinvestigations may be required.

Posting Duration: This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the posting date. SIMCO reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.