Continuous Improvement Specialist III, PCGS (Santa Ana, CA)

Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We grade, authenticate, vault, and sell millions of record-setting collectibles, all while modernizing and digitalizing the process to further our mission of helping collectors pursue their passions. Our services span collectible trading cards, autographs, comic books, coins, video games, event tickets, and memorabilia. Our subsidiaries include PSA, PCGS, Beckett, SGC, and Card Ladder.

As part of our interview process, we request that candidates have their cameras on during video interviews. Certain interview steps may take place by phone. For remote roles, candidates may be asked to participate in an on-site interview as part of the final stages of the process. We understand there may be occasional circumstances requiring accommodation and are happy to discuss them as needed.

About the role

We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement Specialist III to drive operational excellence culture by leading improvement efforts that strengthen how the organization operates for our brand, PCGS. You will independently manage moderate scope initiatives, analyze process and performance data, and recommend practical solutions that improve efficiency, quality, cost effectiveness, and risk control. You’ll report to the Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement and work onsite from our Santa Ana, California office with occasional travel (3-4 times per year).

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis of end-to-end business processes using Value Stream Mapping (VSM), DMAIC, and related methodologies to identify inefficiencies, risks, and improvement opportunities across functions
• Independently execute assigned continuous improvement initiatives, determining appropriate analytical methods, adapting standard approaches as needed, and recommending sustainable, data-driven solutions
• Plan and facilitate structured improvement events (e.g., Kaizen workshops), including defining scope, coordinating cross-functional participation, and documenting outcomes and controls to improve safety, quality, service, cost and people engagement
• Develop, refine, and maintain standard work, SOPs, and process documentation to support consistent operating practices, compliance, and performance improvement
• Define and refine KPIs and performance measurement frameworks; analyze operational and financial data to evaluate trends, improvement results, capacity, and productivity
• Prepare dashboards, analyses, business cases, and ROI estimates that support leadership decision-making and prioritization
• Perform workflow, time-based, and process analyses to inform optimization recommendations and support planning activities
• Provide professional, consultative guidance to managers on process design, improvement strategies, and operational controls
• Exercise judgment within established policies and procedures to prioritize improvement opportunities, interpret results, and recommend courses of action aligned with organizational goals
• Support planning, tracking, and reporting of improvement initiatives, including timelines, resource needs, and budget inputs for assigned work
• Build productive working relationships with operational teams, support functions, and external vendors to resolve issues and implement improvement solutions
• Communicate complex analytical findings clearly and concisely to non-technical audiences, including leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
• Contribute to capability building by supporting training materials, best practice documentation, and knowledge sharing related to continuous improvement methodologies

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience
• A minimum of 4 years of related experience, or an advanced degree with limited professional experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred; required within a defined period if not already obtained
• Applies developing professional expertise in continuous improvement, analytics, and business operations to resolve a variety of operational issues
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment within defined procedures to address problems of moderate scope and recommend improvements
• Works with minimal day-to-day supervision; receives general direction on new or complex assignments, with work reviewed for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with objectives
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to moderately complex business operations
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and provide standard advisory recommendations within established frameworks
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for preparing analyses, reports, and presentations

Schedule

• This role requires you to be onsite in the office 5 days per week with occasional travel (3-4 times per year).

Pay

The salary range for this position is $102,000 - $120,000. Actual compensation within this range varies based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including location, job level, experience, and skill set.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: All full-time employees are eligible to enroll in Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Additional Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for fertility, commuter, and educational assistance benefits
• 401(K) Matching Plan: Competitive 401k matching plan
• Vacation: All salaried employees are eligible for flexible time-off
• Holiday Pay: All regular, full-time employees are eligible for ten company paid holidays
• Employee Discounts: Employees receive discounts on select grading services for approved submissions
• Flexible Hours: Many teams offer flexible schedules with varying shifts
• Fun Working Environment: Team members are invited to participate in celebrations, holiday events, and team building activities