Lean Transformation Specialist

At NorthBay Health the Lean Transformation Specialist serves as a change agent in advancing NorthBay Health's transformation to a lean management system. This role partners with the transformation team, executive, clinical, and operational leaders to redesign processes, eliminate waste, and build sustainable continuous improvement capabilities. The Specialist leads high-impact improvement initiatives, coaches leaders at all levels, and embeds lean thinking into daily operations to improve quality, access, cost, and workforce engagement.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

Process Improvement & Redesign

• Leads transformation of core business and clinical processes using value stream mapping, waste identification, and structured redesign methodologies.
• Partners with operational and clinical leaders to translate strategic priorities into executable process improvements.
• Champions and models lean principles, driving a system-wide cultural shift toward continuous improvement and operational discipline.
• Builds organizational capability and belief in lean as a sustainable operating model through visible leadership and hands-on engagement.
• Leads and facilitates Kaizen events and rapid improvement workshops across varying levels of complexity, from departmental initiatives to enterprise-wide redesign efforts.
• Applies A3 problem solving, root cause analysis, and data-driven countermeasure development to address operational challenges.
• Supports strategic initiatives from the Integration Management Office (IMO) and CTIO agenda with structured improvement methodologies.
• Delivers measurable results within accelerated timelines while building internal capability. Maintain a portfolio of improvement initiatives with defined KPIs, tracking benefit realization and reporting outcomes to leadership.
• Ensures transparency and accountability through regular progress updates and visual performance management.
• Contributes to building NorthBay's internal lean infrastructure, including training curricula, coaching models, and standardized methodologies.
• Helps reduce reliance on external consultants by institutionalizing internal expertise.

Executive Coaching & Capability Building

• Coach leaders on lean principles, leadership behaviors, and sustainment of a lean management system.
• Provide training on continuous improvement tools, including A3 thinking, root cause analysis, and standard work.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Partner with the Integration Management Office to apply lean principles to integration activities, including workflow harmonization, operational readiness, and Day-One planning for acquired entities.
• Engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, from frontline all levels of staff and leadership, adapting communication and facilitation styles as needed.
• Communicate with clarity, purpose, and emotional intelligence to influence alignment and drive action.
• Lead change management strategies for improvement initiatives, proactively identifying resistance, building buy-in, and ensuring sustained adoption.
• Embed changes into standard work and management systems to prevent regression.

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in business, health care administration, Industrial Engineering or related field. Master's degree preferred.

2. Licensure/Certification: Lean certification required or within one year of hire. Lean Black Belt certification preferred.

3. Experience: Three (3) years of experience in operational excellence, performance improvement, or healthcare consulting. Demonstrated success leading lean transformations or large-scale process improvement initiatives in complex organizations, preferably healthcare. Proven experience operating within a lean management system. Lean certification (e.g., Lean Six Sigma , Shingo-aligned training) preferred, or ability to obtain within one year of hire. Deep expertise in value stream mapping, Kaizen facilitation, A3 thinking, and daily management systems.

4. Skills: Advanced facilitation and coaching skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a data-driven mindset. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with high emotional intelligence. Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and drive cross-functional alignment. Change management expertise with a track record of sustaining improvements. Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a dynamic environment. Must possess excellent leadership, communication and negotiation skills in order to influence results, gain support and tactfully manage complex relationships within and across the organization. Previous experience in healthcare/hospital operations performance and process improvement is strongly preferred.

5. Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the True North values. The True North values are a set of value-based behaviors that are to be consistently demonstrated and role modeled by all employees that work at NorthBay Health. The True North values principles consist of Nurture/Care, Own It, Respect Relationships, Build Trust and Hardwire Excellence.

6. Hours of Work: Variable and exempt status.

7. Compensation: $50 to $62 per hour based on years of experience doing the duties of the role.