Continuous Improvement Specialist III

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Cincinnati, OH

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Background Investigation, Business Operations, Business Solutions, Career Development, Change Management, Coaching, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Cost Benefit Analysis, Cross-Functional, Customer Experience, Customer Relations, Customer Satisfaction, Establish Priorities, Finance, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Incentive Programs, Laboratory Operations, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Manufacturing, Matrix Management, Mentoring, Minitab, Operational Audit, Operational Improvement, Operational Measurement, Operational Strategy, Operational Support, Physical Demands, Power BI, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Process Development, Process Improvement, Producer Price Index (PPI), Productivity Management, Progress Reports, Project/Program Management, Pull Manufacturing, Quality Management, Quality Metrics, Safety Standards, Safety/Work Safety, System Operations, Total Productive Maintenance, Training/Teaching, Value Stream Mapping, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Cincinnati, OH
POSTED
26 days ago

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Job Description

Division/Site Specific Information

This role is part of the Practical Process Improvement (PPI) / Continuous Improvement team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, supporting operational excellence initiatives across site operations. The position partners closely with site leadership, manufacturing, quality, finance, and other cross-functional teams to implement the PPI Business System and drive measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and customer experience.Working within a fast-paced, regulated environment, the Continuous Improvement Specialist III will lead improvement initiatives that support site, business unit, and enterprise strategies while strengthening a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Discover Impactful Work

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Our colleagues bring our Mission to life every day - enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.

In this role, you will support the deployment of the Thermo Fisher Practical Process Improvement (PPI) Business System, driving operational excellence through Lean Six Sigma principles and continuous improvement methodologies. Working with site leadership and cross-functional teams, you will facilitate Kaizen events, lead improvement initiatives, and help teams develop better processes that deliver measurable results in quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

Day in the Life

  • Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using the PPI Business System and Lean Six Sigma methodologies

  • Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, diagnostics, and "Just Do It" improvement activities to drive operational excellence

  • Partner with site leadership and functional teams to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement opportunities

  • Conduct value stream mapping and process diagnostics to identify waste, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities

  • Implement and sustain operational excellence tools including 5S, Visual Management, Standard Work, Flow Dynamics, Pull Manufacturing, and Total Productive Maintenance

  • Perform basic cost-benefit analysis and financial validation of improvement initiatives in collaboration with Finance

  • Lead cross-functional projects to improve productivity, quality, safety, and customer experience

  • Develop and deliver lean training and mentoring to teams across the organization

  • Support development and execution of site operational excellence strategies aligned with Thermo Fisher Scientific goals

  • Track and report improvement project progress, savings, and operational impact

  • Collaborate with Quality, Safety, Finance, and project sponsors to ensure successful project outcomes

  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer focus

Keys to Success

Education

  • Advanced Degree plus 3 years of experience, or

  • Bachelor's Degree plus 5 years of experience leading continuous improvement initiatives

  • Preferred fields of study: Engineering, Science, Business, Operations, or related discipline

Experience

  • Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing, laboratory, or regulated environments

  • Experience implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies and operational excellence systems

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional improvement projects

  • Experience facilitating Kaizen events and process improvement workshops

  • Demonstrated success delivering measurable operational improvements

  • Experience working in cGMP or regulated environments preferred

  • Experience collaborating with Finance to validate project savings

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge

  • Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles

  • Operational excellence frameworks and process optimization techniques

  • Root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies

Skills

  • Lean Six Sigma tools including Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, and Kaizen facilitation

  • Project management and cross-functional leadership

  • Data analysis and problem-solving

  • Strong communication and presentation skills

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

  • Experience with PowerBI, Minitab, or similar analytics tools preferred

Abilities

  • Ability to lead multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously

  • Strong stakeholder engagement and change management capabilities

  • Ability to work independently within a matrixed organization

  • Capability to mentor and coach teams on Lean methodologies

  • Ability to translate operational improvements into financial impact

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

  • Ability to work in manufacturing, laboratory, or operational environments

  • Occasional travel within site or regional operations may be required

  • Ability to participate in on-site improvement events, workshops, and operational reviews

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits effective Day 1

  • Paid Time Off & Designated Paid Holidays

  • Retirement Savings Plan

  • Tuition Reimbursement

  • Annual Incentive Plan Bonus

  • Career development opportunities within a global organization

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for Integrity, Intensity, Involvement, and Innovation.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States now or in the future without sponsorship.

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

About the Company

T

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of nearly $11 billion, we have approximately 37,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, which offer a unique combination of continuous technology development and the most convenient purchasing options. Our products and services help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and solve analytical challenges ranging from complex research to routine testing to field applications.

All of our employees share a common set of values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement. Our ability to grow year after year is driven by our ability to attract, develop and retain world-class people who will thrive in our environment and share in our desire to improve mankind by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

If you share in our values and if you're looking for an employer who is strongly committed to developing talent and rewarding achievement, come grow with us at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
All
WEBSITE
https://corporate.thermofisher.com/en/home.html