Senior Manager, Operational Excellence

Description

Highlights of the job

The Senior Manager, Operational Excellence is a key member of the Corporate Services team accountable for collaborating with peers to develop frameworks and tools that improve business performance and leading Operational Excellence program delivery for the Electricity Business unit. A key focus is leading improvement projects with the support of a team of embedded professionals. The projects are complex and cross-functional, requiring expertise in different process improvement methodologies, change management, project management, and the ability to build strong relationships with all levels within the organization. This position also identifies automation opportunities and leads IT integration for complex initiatives, working closely with our IS department.

What you'd be accountable for

• Planning: leading the development and execution of an operational plan that aligns with the long-term Operational Excellence strategy and business unit priorities. Defining annual priorities, anticipating challenges, and managing budgets and resources to deliver effective services. Supporting and facilitating business unit strategic planning using EPCOR's balanced scorecard methodology.

• Operational Excellence Projects: collaborating with BU Leadership to resolve complex operational problems, often leading to role and process changes. Setting priorities, managing project workplans, and overseeing improvement projects to create value and improve business performance. Ensuring that projects are aligned with Operational Excellence standards and approaches. Providing direct leadership to complex redesign projects, ensuring successful adoption through project management, change management, and communication.

• Technology: monitoring technological advancements and industry practices to benefit EPCOR, identifying technological improvements related to continuous improvement opportunities.

• Change Management: collaborating with Business Transformation to develop and execute change management plans to enable implementation of recommended solutions. Identifying training needs and working with Learning and Development to create and execute training programs that will facilitate change.

• Execution: providing clear direction to define priorities, align activities and execute on the Team's Operational Plan. Monitoring performance metrics, implementing corrective measures, and ensuring safe, efficient work completion. Tracking key metrics to ensure projects produce measurable results and achieve business objectives.

• Talent: hiring, engaging, and developing talent to a high performing Operational Excellence team. Prioritizing projects, setting performance objectives, providing coaching, and holding team members accountable for project delivery.

• Relationships: building and maintaining effective cross-functional relationships and consulting with stakeholders to address issues or concerns and ensure solutions are effective.

• Collaboration: partnering with colleagues across functions to ensure business plan alignment and integration. Providing technical insights to support decision-making.

What's required to be successful

• Post-secondary in Business, Engineering, Information systems or a related is required.
• Certification or education in Business process redesign is required (e.g. Lean Six Sigma) is required.
• Certification or coursework in project management is desired.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in Operational Excellence program delivery, including leading large complex operational excellence improvement projects is required.
• Experience in change management, project management, facilitating meetings, managing budgets and leading a team of highly skilled professionals is required.
• Experience working in a large complex organization, and experience working with front-line operations that include distributed work crews is an asset.
• Proficiency in metric design and analytics is required.
• Ability to lead change efforts, conduct stakeholder analysis, and measure behavioral change is desired.
• Effective writer and communicator, able to tailor messages to fit the circumstance and audience.
• Effective facilitator, capable of resolving conflict and building consensus.

Other important facts about this job

Application deadline: April 20, 2025

Internal EPCOR Employees please ensure that you are using your "@epcor.com" email address.

Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age, successfully attained a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent level of secondary education) and legally entitled to work in Canada. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.