Continuous Improvement Specialist III

Facilities and Business Operations at UCF is committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. We take pride in delivering exceptional service, sharing our expertise, and upholding the highest standards to ensure a world-class campus experience.

About the role

The Continuous Improvement Specialist III supports continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, quality, and operational performance. This role directly supports the Director of Process Improvement by leading projects, developing data-driven recommendations, and working with cross-functional teams to implement sustainable operational improvements. The successful candidate will help foster a culture of continuous improvement by partnering with departments to identify opportunities, facilitate change, and implement and sustain operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives through the application of Lean principles, process analysis, and collaborative problem-solving to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and organizational performance.
• Facilitate Kaizen training, problem-solving workshops, and continuous improvement activities that engage stakeholders, document outcomes, and support sustainable process improvements.
• Apply Lean, PDCA, and Six Sigma problem-solving methodologies, including process mapping, root cause analysis, waste identification, and visual management techniques to improve operational performance.
• Collect, organize, and analyze process data to identify performance trends, determine root causes, and define opportunities for improvement that support project planning and the execution of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate continuous improvement projects by establishing project plans, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, tracking milestones, documenting lessons learned, and communicating project status to stakeholders.
• Identify workflow gaps or inefficiencies through process mapping, data analysis, and the development or maintenance of business process documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of relevant experience; or High School Diploma (or equivalent) and 8+ years of relevant work experience in lieu of degree (an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6)).
• Valid Class E driver’s license. The position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.
• Authorization to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in process improvement, operations, or a related field, preferably within a manufacturing, facilities, or other large organizational setting, with demonstrated contributions to improving efficiency and quality.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies, with demonstrated experience applying these methodologies to improve operational processes.
• Lean certification, Six Sigma Green Belt certification, or an equivalent professional continuous improvement credential.
• Experience applying statistical or analytical techniques to evaluate process performance, identify variation, and support data-driven decision making.
• Demonstrated experience applying Kaizen principles and facilitating the teaching, coaching, and execution of Kaizen activities.

Pay

Anticipated salary range: $80,000 to $85,000. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance