Black Belt

Job Description

The Smiths Excellence System (SES) team delivers results and drives a culture of continuous improvement by analysing existing processes, identifying areas of improvement, and building business cases with a clear focus on delivering significant results for the organisation. Our focus is on delivering sustainable change from the top down which is aligned to strategic business priorities, and maximum business and commercial value. How we empower and upskill internal teams to maximise our organisational capability and promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement is key

Duties & Responsibilities

SPECIFIC DUTIES, ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Work with leaders to understand priorities linked to the Y-Tree, creates Hoppers and assist prioritisation on an ongoing basis
• Apply statistical tools to define, measure, analyse, improve, and control change in our processes
• Lead project teams that deliver hard hitting results that are connected to the strategic business priorities for the organisation
• Demonstrate leadership skills by challenging projects with more uncertain outcomes
• Synthesize large amounts of data into clear management communication
• Maintain strong communication with sponsors and process owners to ensure effective project management
• Effectively deploy Lean tools to reduce waste and improve standard work
• Actively coach Green Belts (GBs) to ensure strong project attainment in a timely fashion
• Select high potential employees to train and develop further in process improvement methodologies

Process Improvement Culture

• Act as SES ambassadors in their area, sharing best practices with leadership and other BBs and GBs
• Support strong SES communication rhythm for their area
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and create a positive team spirit to maximise project outcomes
• Ensure continuous utilisation of SES capability throughout improvement projects

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

The Individual

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Preferred Education, Qualification and Experience:

• Continuous improvement mindset and interest - potentially demonstrated by pursuit of Green Belt or beyond qualification at Smiths
• Project Management experience - both knowledge on the core principles and practical application of the skills at each project phase
• Complex process efficiency, effectiveness or improvement experience - likely focused on growth or customer experience
• Experience managing a team - direct or matrix
• Stakeholder management experience in a business and complex change context
• Exceptional knowledge and demonstration of the SLB
• MBA and/or consultancy experience
• Lean Six Sigma experience would be an advantage but not an essential prerequisite

Skills:

• Strong leadership: Change management, coaching, interpersonal and communication skills. Engaging leadership style with proven ability to drive change. Ability to develop high-potential talent and build organization capabilities. Lives the Smiths values and leadership behaviours
• Driving Change: The candidate will be a strong advocate for change and is able to communicate a clear and compelling new direction. Sets clear targets in line with a larger change effort to focus people on accomplishing the change. Engages others by using data / analytics to proactively monitor and review plans to hit or exceed targets and drive continuous improvement
• Resilience and Determination: ability to thrive in ambiguity. The ability to stay committed to each core process and step in the project, whilst continuously aligning and realigning stakeholders on complex challenges and topics, and ensuring benefits stay aligned and embedded
• Governance Mindset: Starts with and holds firm to the standard. Seeks to understand others' agendas and make practical decisions, but comfortable to hold tension and challenge divergence. Comfortable to measure compliance and deal with non-compliance through data. Comfortable to escalate if required
• Results Orientation: Typically, is energised by a challenge, sets new and stretching goals for self and team, and achieves beyond what is expected. Exploits opportunities to exceed goals and works towards them, even under adverse circumstances
• Stakeholder impact
• Collaboration and Influencing
• Solution minded

About Smiths

At Smiths we apply leading-edge technology to design, manufacture and deliver market-leading innovative solutions that meet our customers' evolving needs, and touch the lives of millions of people every day. We are a FTSE100, global business of around 14,600 colleagues, based in 50+ countries. Our solutions have a real impact on lives across the planet, enabling industry, improving healthcare, enhancing security, advancing connectivity and supporting new homes. Our products and services are often critical to our customers' operations, while our proprietary technology and high service levels help create competitive advantage. We welcome colleagues with a curious mind, who are happy with responsibility, enjoy a challenge and are attracted by the idea of working at a business with a 170+ year history of innovation, and five global divisions, all experts in their field.

About Smiths Interconnect

Smiths Interconnect is a leading provider of technically differentiated electronic components, subsystems, microwave and radio frequency products that ensure high speed, secure connectivity of critical applications in the defence, aerospace, communications and industrial markets. Our microwave technology is used in radar, communication and surveillance systems that are mission-critical and operate in extreme environments in aerospace and defence. Our microwave components and connectors ensure optimal performance, durability and safety of space satellites. Our semi-conductor test products are used to test highly sophisticated semi-conductors and electronic circuits in communication systems, gaming products and computing devices. Our in-flight antenna systems give passengers internet connectivity gate-to-gate on planes around the world. Our connector and cable solutions ensure reliability of critical medical equipment, and safe operation of trains and transport systems.One of five divisions of Smiths Group, Smiths Interconnect employs over 2000 people. We have a global presence selling our products in over 50 countries with manufacturing facilities in nine countries and offices across North America, Europe and Asia.

Additional Information

Planning and Decision Making:

• Ability to make strategic decisions within project scope
• Ability to work under limited supervision, an ability to manage conflicting priorities with a can-do approach
• Ability to set and communicate clear targets in line with a larger change effort to focus people on accomplishing the change
• Shows initiative and ability to challenge the status quo
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to suggest solutions

Impact and Scope:

• Geographic scope of the role is global. Eagerness to travel and spend time going to "where the work is done"
• Erroneous decisions or recommendations may result in failure to achieve major goals and objectives of the Group organization
• Interacts regularly with senior leaders and managers across the business
• 3 years assignment