Program Manager CI Office - Continuous Improvement - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

About the role

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00].

Position Summary

The Program Manager, Continuous Improvement (CI) Office reports to the VP, Continuous Improvement and can be located within the FirstEnergy service territory. Travel to various work locations across the territory will be required on an as needed basis. The Program Manager, Continuous Improvement Office is a strategic leader focused on continuous improvement to ensure projects consistently deliver value and enhance organizational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and monitor performance metrics by working with stakeholders to define and implement key performance indicators related to continuous improvement projects
• Track metrics thoroughly to assess project health and compliance with established standards and indicators
• Develop and implement a standardized process for collecting and validating project data to ensure accuracy and consistency across enterprise projects
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment, timely updates, and proactive issue resolution
• Analyze this data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Create regular reports and dashboards to communicate project status, performance against metrics, and the impact of improvement initiatives to stakeholders and leadership
• Monitor project progress against established plans, ensuring the projects are aligned with timelines, budgets, and quality standards
• Determine how the identified continuous improvement initiatives impact key organizational objectives like cost reduction, efficiency gains, and customer experience
• Create a mechanism for capturing and disseminating lessons learned from projects and improvement initiatives to foster knowledge sharing to implement best practices across the enterprise
• Monitor and report on the progress of improvement projects, highlighting achievements and areas for further development
• Function as a change agent, promoting a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization
• Support facilitation of workshops and training sessions on continuous improvement methodologies
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to teams on improvement tools and techniques
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, or a related field required.
• A minimum of 10 years’ related work experience is required. Related work experience includes continuous improvement, process optimization, engineering, financial analysis, project management, business management or operations.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills in planning and coordinating multiple projects and activities.
• Proven expertise in electric utility operations and ability to drive operational excellence and innovation.
• Experience with project management software, continuous improvement tools, data analysis, and methodologies.
• Experience leading large scale projects exhibiting the ability to execute, achieve operational excellence, manage financials, ensure compliance oversight, and manage risks.
• Experience in working within a matrix environment reporting to Continuous Improvement organization and engaging with business units.
• Ability to analyze data, identify inefficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships through collaboration and teamwork, across all levels and departments of the company.
• Acts in an ethical and professional manner, with the highest level of integrity, and in compliance with the code of business conduct and all relevant policies and procedures.