**Description**
Recognized within the organization as a functional expert with specialized depth and/or breadth of knowledge.
Works independently, with guidance only in the most complex situations.
Solves complex problems; identifies new solutions using a broad perspective and understanding.
Leads large-scale projects with substantial resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity.
May lead a project team with influence over contribution of others.
Translates functional vision into plans and guides their execution.
**Accountabilities**
- Serves as the Business Excellence point-of-contact for specific project execution, data analysis, and solution implementation.
- Works with process owners and business unit leaders to define objectives related to Lean Six Sigma; applies Lean methodology and Six Sigma expertise to improve operational efficiency and quality.
- Reviews current business practices and challenges processes for opportunities and improvement; develops recommendations and controls for sustained improvements.
- Serves as the lead in developing the Business Excellence training toolkit and training materials for the enterprise and provides teachable points during the project execution.
- Develops current and future state process maps for identified processes.
- Works with the Business Excellence departmental leadership to collaborate and provide advice on project timelines and deliverables from a process improvement perspective.
- Reports out to Business Excellence and business unit leadership on status of project as well requests additional support when needed.
Takes the lead on incorporating other resources into projects as needed.
- Travels to project locations to observe processes and interview front line employees.
- Develops and distributes project specific communications for Business Excellence and business unit leadership, as well as team centric communication with a consistent cadence.
- Understands the relevant business metrics and applies effective tactics to sustain a culture of operational effectiveness that produces teams of high performing, engaged and empowered operational leaders.
- Identifies when a rule/regulation/policy has been violated and has one-on-one accountability conversations with an individual who has not met expectations, using KCS Candor, Aligning the Stars & KCS ABC's, and have the individual produce better results.
- Demonstrates KCS's commitment to being ONE TEAM - Living a Speak Up Culture - by using communication and interpersonal skills to enhance inclusion, civility, respect, innovation, safety, customer focus, teamwork within KCS, while encouraging and enabling others to do the same.
- Defines and communicates clearly the teams roles and responsibilities; holds people accountable for accomplishing objectives; recognizes and rewards people who achieve results and deliver on performance expectations; provides pinpointed (specific & measurable) feedback on performance.
- Develops and retains a strong team of high performers; creates a challenging and rewarding work environment; organizes a diverse group of people into a cohesive team to leverage their energy, knowledge and skills; creates grassroots / localized events to train & develop others - including location-specific safety training, localized Speak Up events, regular recognition or team-building activities.
- Exemplifies KCS Vision, Values, and Culture in each and every interaction with team, clients, and stakeholders.
**Required**
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, preferably in a job related major field of study
- Minimum seven (7) years of relevant professional experience, including specialized knowledge of a discipline utilized to lead an area of our business, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
**Preferred**
- Master's degree, preferably in Engineering or Business
- Supply chain management experience
- Advanced knowledge of JMP, SiGMA XL, Minitab, Python, R or other statistical software package
- Ability to define current/future business models and influence the interconnections between the business processes, technology, data, and people
- Railroad industry experience
- Experience working with distributed teams
- Experience with creating and managing optimization models
**Working Conditions**
- Ability to travel internationally based upon project demands
- Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Visio
- Ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts to broad audiences
- Ability to manage multiple sets of priorities and deliverables in a fast-pace environment
- Strong facilitation, active listening and interpersonal skills
- Ability to develop and foster strong relationships with business units
- Ability to deal with complex situations holistically
- Experience managing and working through organizational behavioral change.
- This position has a regular full time schedule with a normal work week of Mon