Lean Six Sigma Consultant (contract)

Title: Lead Six Sigma Consultant Location: 800 S Jordan Creek Pkwy West Des Moines, IA Duration: 6 months Work Engagement: W-2 Work Schedule: 3 days in office/2 days remote Benefits on offer for this contract position: Health Insurance, Life insurance, 401K and Voluntary Benefits Summary: This contract role will support strategic operational initiatives within unsecured lending, including credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, and small business cards. The focus will be on enhancing performance management, optimizing operational routines, and driving a culture of continuous improvement. Responsibilities: Operational Strategy & Efficiency: • Partner with internal stakeholders to assess and improve demand and capacity planning across lending operations. • Collaborate with production efficiency workstreams to enhance operational routines, performance metrics, and continuous improvement practices. • Apply practical, hands-on approaches to identify and implement operational enhancements. Performance Management: • Evaluate and refine key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure alignment with business goals. • Investigate performance gaps, conduct root cause analyses, and recommend actionable solutions to improve outcomes. • Establish and reinforce operational routines that support consistent performance and accountability. Continuous Improvement & Coaching: • Promote a culture of continuous improvement by mentoring and upskilling internal teams. • Lead training initiatives to build internal capabilities in process optimization and performance management. • Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities through direct observation and engagement with frontline operations. Forecasting & Planning: • Support forecasting efforts within unsecured lending operations, leveraging data-driven insights to inform resource allocation and strategic planning. Cross-Functional Collaboration: • Work closely with executives, operations leaders, and frontline teams to align improvement efforts with organizational objectives. • Serve as a trusted advisor in operational strategy, leveraging industry experience to guide practical and impactful change. Qualifications: • Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. • Lean Six Sigma Expertise: Proven ability to apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies—from foundational to advanced concepts—in complex operational environments. Certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) preferred, with emphasis on practical application across diverse settings. • Process Improvement & Change Management: Demonstrated experience leading process optimization initiatives and managing change within dynamic operational contexts. • Data Analysis for Operational Insights: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data to support Lean/Six Sigma initiatives and drive performance improvements. • Industry Experience: Background in financial services or manufacturing preferred, given the embedded nature of continuous improvement practices in these sectors. • Microsoft Excel: Advanced skills required for data manipulation and reporting. • Power BI / Tableau: Experience with data visualization tools (preferred) • SAS: Familiarity with statistical analysis software (preferred)