Director, Process Excellence & Automation

Director, Process Excellence & Automation

Job Purpose & Summary

The Director, Process Excellence & Automation will define and execute on DUCA’s process improvement journey. The Director will work with a broad network of internal and external stakeholders to gather data, identify opportunities, prioritize and implement improvement initiatives. This role is responsible for Process Automation within DUCA’s Centralized Operations area.

Key Accountabilities & Duties

• Develop initiatives and processes for automation to drive business goals, objectives, and programs by analyzing data and evaluating key business components to assess current performance baselines, identifying gaps, opportunities, and improvements for automation
• Act as a transformation champion while serving as a thought leader, with an understanding of business operations and automation industry evolution and technologies
• Establish and lead the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) at DUCA and Lean Center of Excellence within the Centralized Operations by providing education, best practices, standards, and resources to deliver a successful program, including monitoring program performance metrics
• Lead RPA efforts through collaboration with process owners to identify process automation opportunities and determine feasibility of automation
• Responsible for RPA lifecycle management including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment and support of automation solutions
• Proactively partner with cross-functional teams to develop operational strategy to simplify processes; provide guidance and expertise on company policies, practices and procedures; ensure proper controls, tools, and materials are present in order to enhance behaviour change
• Assist with all aspects of the diagnostic, design and implementation stages by working within cross-functional teams for process improvements
• Develop strategies and recommendations to lead process excellence and automation projects, including business benefits and costs, implementation, and training strategies/plan
• Facilitate training and workshops, including assessing the organization’s readiness for change; managing expectations; adjusting approach so that positive change is adopted by all business partners and stakeholders; providing consultation to the target business groups in implementing process improvement initiatives
• Ensure timely project management from pilot through implementation stage to enable sustainable processes throughout the business
• Manage project portfolio and prioritize deliverables as determined by business needs
• Lead change agent in the implementation of Lean across Centralized Operations including establishing standards, metrics, employee training, kaizen workouts, value stream management and after-action reviews

Occupational Experience & Education Requirements

• University degree preferably in Business Administration or related field, MBA considered an asset
• 5+ years of experience of leading process excellence and automation teams
• 5+ years of experience managing large and medium scale transformational projects in complex environments
• 3 - 5 years’ people management experience
• Experience assembling and managing cross-functional teams
• Proven track record of driving change through influence and leading cross-functional teams through ambiguity
• Prior experience of setting up a Centre of Excellence for Lean or process automation
• Experience in thought leadership and championing the implementation of new ideas
• Demonstrated experience in Lean Six Sigma, LSS Black Belt considered an asset
• Other complimentary CI Certifications such as Scrum, PMP, Change Management, etc. considered an asset
• Previous experience of using automation tools such as Blue Prism, Power automate is an added advantage

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Superior ability to synthesize diverse and complex information and data
• Excellent people skills, to enable long-lasting working relationships, both within DUCA and across the business ecosystem
• Proficient in Visio, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Microsoft Project considered an asset
• Independent and highly motivated
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills sufficient to shape thinking and decisions while responding to underlying concerns or multiple interests
• Excellent analytical ability, organizational, problem solving, and leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, build relationships, train, and develop along with and other people management skills
• Thorough knowledge of Lean and Continuous Improvement Techniques, Systems and Processes

Working Conditions

• Regular office/hybrid environment

Department: Retail Management 

Primary Location: Corporate Office  

Employment Status: Full-time 

Hours per Week:  38

Job Grade Level: 10

About DUCA

DUCA exists to help people do more, be more and achieve more with their money and their lives. We’re driven by a co-operative philosophy that puts our Members (and Owners) at the centre of every decision we make, gives them a voice in how we’re run, and rewards them for their loyalty by sharing our profits.

At DUCA, we’re dedicated to creating a positive environment where our employees have growth and development opportunities, a healthy work/life balance, opportunities to give back to the community, and a focus on doing what is right for our Members. DUCA offers a competitive total compensation package including base salary, a short-term incentive (bonus) program, a comprehensive benefits program, pension plan, and employee banking benefits.

DUCA is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Recruitment related accommodations will be provided upon request.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their application. Applications must include both a resume and cover letter.

We thank all applicants but only those considered for an interview will be contacted.