Operational Excellence Consultant

Open to remote, however, if within 100 miles of Milwaukee or Franklin 3 days onsite will be required.
Summary
Develop, identify, analyze, and improve existing business processes to improve product/service quality, increase efficiencies, reduce costs or waste, decrease errors or delays, and increase customer satisfaction. Gather business requirements and develop process maps and gap analysis to identify, recommend, and independently implement opportunities for improvement to meet business goals and objectives. Deliver superior business performance by relentlessly pursuing process excellence on behalf of our employees, field, and clients. Architect experiences using business process management to design, analyze, implement, and control processes.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Drive Business Performance

• 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

Subject Matter Expertise

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

Leadership

• 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.

Talent Development

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• Minimum Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt Certification (Lean or Six Sigma Master Black Belt experience preferred) or equivalent relevant leadership experience of process improvement.

#LI-Remote
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$76,650.00
Pay Range - End:
$142,350.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
195 - Structure 110: 84,350.00 USD - 156,650.00 USD 195 - Structure 115: 88,130.00 USD - 163,670.00 USD
We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.
Job Posting End Date:
09/30/2025
The timeline for this job posting may be shortened or extended based on organizational needs.
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Nor t hwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.
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We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups