Process Improvement Consultant / Analyst | Lean Process Improvement

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state's largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Summary

Are you passionate about driving efficiency and optimizing work processes? Were seeking a Process Improvement Analyst/Consultant to lead Lean process improvement initiatives and support the redesign of organizational workflows. Facilitate engaging Lean-based training that empowers employees to apply continuous improvement principles. Guide Lean projects to successful outcomes while coaching and mentoring Yellow Belt students, ensuring their growth and confidence in Lean practices.

Level Distinction

Analyst: Supports and facilitates process improvement efforts through analysis, project execution, training delivery, and coaching.

Consultant: Leads enterprise-wide process improvement strategy, complex redesign initiatives, stakeholder influence, governance, and organizational change.

Process Improvement Analyst

• Apply Lean process improvement methodologies to identify and implement efficiency improvements.
• Analyze, document, and support the redesign of business processes and workflows.
• Facilitate Lean improvement projects and support successful implementation of solutions.
• Deliver and support Lean training, workshops, and continuous improvement communications.
• Coach and mentor Yellow Belt participants throughout improvement projects.
• Collaborate with business partners and stakeholders to identify process improvement opportunities.
• Maintain process documentation, governance resources, and continuous improvement best practices.

Process Improvement Consultant

• Lead complex, cross-functional process improvement and business transformation initiatives.
• Facilitate the documentation, analysis, design, and implementation of future-state business processes.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to business leaders on process optimization and operational excellence.
• Apply Lean/Six Sigma methodologies to solve complex business challenges and achieve measurable results.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, change management, and organizational adoption efforts.
• Establish process improvement standards, governance practices, and scalable enterprise solutions.
• Design and deliver training while mentoring analysts, project teams, and continuous improvement practitioners.
• Research and implement industry best practices to support APS strategic objectives.

Minimum Requirements

Process Improvement Analyst

• Bachelors degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics
• AND three (3) years work experience using performance improvement tools or an equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• Three (3) to five (5) years related work experience in Process Improvement using process definition, redesign, project scoping and implementation. Lean, Six Sigma, or BIU experience preferred.
• Industry experience preferred in utility industry. Project management skills/ process management preferred.
• Able to establish priorities and achieve results with limited oversight.

Process Improvement Consultant

• Bachelors Degree in Business or a quantitative discipline (engineering, economics, mathematics)
• AND eight (8) years of experience in business transformation and process improvement roles including five (5) years experience with change management and influencing continuous improvement or an equivalent combination of related education and/or electric utility / relevant industry experience.
• Experience in process design and improvement, quality assurance, client relationship management, and consulting.
• Demonstrated competency in Business Process Management methodologies. Significant knowledge of business processes, competitive trends and developments in industry conditions. Demonstrated effective oral, written and presentation communication skills; and highest quality interpersonal and people management skills.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt experience preferred.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience building continuous improvement capabilities and embedding Lean as a business operating system.
• Ability to identify systemic business challenges and help leaders translate strategy into execution through operational excellence.
• Demonstrated success serving as an internal consultant, helping leaders solve complex operational and organizational challenges through data-driven insights and Lean thinking.
• Partner with leaders to define performance metrics, measure outcomes, and sustain improvements through data-driven decisions.
• Leverage data and business insights to identify opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and drive measurable business results.

Major Accountabilities

1) Responsible for leading and facilitating the documentation, design, performance and continuous improvement of business processes throughout APS. Drive process improvement through identification and implementation of industry best practice or facilitation of internal APS improvement teams.

2) Develop scope, approach and timeline for transformation designs for all areas of the organization. Plan and lead process improvement teams to identify process improvement opportunities. Direct the design and implementation of transformative change to ensure successful delivery of organizational and business unit process improvement initiatives.

3) Work with business unit management to identify process improvement opportunities supporting achievement of unit client service goals. Provide leadership and direction in the development and implementation of process improvement plans. Assist in defining, analyzing and redesigning business processes to optimize technology utilization.

4) Lead key stakeholders and business partners in analyzing current process and developing future state program objectives. Drive and direct transformations aimed at achieving our future state vision for operational excellence.

5) Drive operational excellence through application of LEAN/Six Sigma methodologies.

6) Assess existing process and procedures and work with the Business Units and Corporate organizations to determine completeness and quality of documentation.

7) Drive Business Units and Corporate organizations to functionally evaluate their desired documentation structure against existing process and procedural structure, perform gap analysis, and develop a plans to drive gap closure.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energys Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, U.S. Export Control Laws). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card Holder), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Pinnacle West) maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.