Business Improvement Specialist at Metro Vancouver

Department: Procurement & Real Estate Services
Employee Group: Teamsters Local 31
Location: 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby
Salary Range/ Wage Rate: PG T30 $3,946.90 - $4,674.08 bi-weekly

Our Procurement & Real Estate Services Department is seeking a Business Improvement Specialist who will lead initiatives that enhance business processes across procurement, real estate, and facilities management. This role is responsible for managing cross-functional projects, conducting organizational reviews, and implementing data-driven solutions that support operational excellence. The successful candidate will lead a small team, collaborate with stakeholders, and apply Lean, Six Sigma, and project management methodologies to drive sustainable improvements.

You are: A strategic thinker and demonstrate proactive leadership with a passion for driving meaningful change. You excel at navigating complex organizational environments and are skilled at identifying opportunities for improvement across business processes. With a strong analytical mindset, you can interpret data, model workflows, and develop practical solutions that enhance operational efficiency. You are a natural collaborator who communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders and inspires cross-functional teams to embrace continuous improvement. You are adaptable, resourceful, and confident in leading projects from concept to completion, using proven methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma. You can manage competing priorities, guide teams through change, and foster a culture of innovation.

This role:

• Performs project management in leading the development of business processes and related systems through continuous improvement plans for procurement, real estate and facilities management; plans, organizes, and leads departmental projects; designs project elements and makes adjustments as required; outlines scope of work, budget, deliverables and timelines; drafts project proposals and presents same to senior staff and project steering committees; and prepares detailed reports and recommendations.
• Plans, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of a small team that supports continuous improvement initiatives; provides guidance and training; and participates in recruitment and performance evaluation.
• Conducts organizational reviews related to procurement, real estate and facilities operations; assesses current work and system processes performed by staff; makes recommendations for improvements related to organizational structures, competency development, system implementations, policies and procedures.
• Reviews annual work plans and policies; identifies key stakeholders and liaises with staff, external vendors and stakeholders; evaluates the overall effectiveness of projects and plans; streamlines to achieve best management practices; and facilitates progress towards objectives through regular meetings.
• Identifies continuous improvement needs; provides advice on opportunities for improvement and initiatives to overcome business challenges; prioritizes initiatives and recommends resources to support continuous improvement needs; evaluates potential issues arising during the continuous improvement processes; and ensures improvements are actualized in final plans.
• Models data, processes and work flows; gathers, verifies and analyzes complex data and information from systems, technology, internal and external resources; creates reporting tools and dashboards; and applies analytical tools to interpret and analyze business performance to enable quality decision making and to find optimal solutions.
• Facilitates and participates in formulating, implementing, modifying and improving the development and evaluation of strategic plans and projects; develops project frameworks, templates, charters, definitions; uses best practices and methodologies, change management and communication planning to conduct value stream mapping; and identifies relevant key performance indicators.
• Prepares and conducts presentations to demonstrate value propositions; facilitates decision-making workshops; leads, consults and participates in cross-functional teams to deliver current and future state process mapping and other business process reviews; and develops recommendations for improvements.
• Leads and supports departmental transitions from current to future state and other changes; cultivates a shared understanding of the purpose of changes; develops, leads and implements engagement sessions, training and skill building sessions; develops reference and support materials; and assesses outcomes.
• Provides guidance and support to staff and cross functional teams to enhance their knowledge of continuous improvement and project management.
• Acts as resource person and provides professional guidance and support on issues related to the work.
• Performs related work as required.

To be successful, you have:

• University graduation in business management, operations management, engineering, research and data analytics or other relevant degree, plus project management certification and formal training in research and Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, plus considerable experience as a continuous improvement professional; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods and procedures applicable to project management, design, development, implementation and monitoring.
• Thorough knowledge of procurement and real estate as it relates to continuous improvements and of applicable departmental objectives and policies.
• Considerable knowledge of systems and technologies related to the work.
• Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends and developments related to the work.
• Ability to identify and develop plans that include objectives, key messages, approaches, key performance indicators, training and budget allocation.
• Ability to evaluate business plans and challenges, and develop business improvement methods.
• Ability to plan, supervise, review and train a small team that supports continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to perform analytical and research tasks, to implement and monitor project initiatives, and to prepare related reports and make presentations.
• Ability to use established practices and methodologies such as in leading Lean, Six Sigma, kaizen events and rapid improvement events to conduct value stream mapping.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts and to act as advisor, liaison and departmental representative on project steering committees.
• Ability to prioritize projects and assign resources to support continuous improvement needs.
• Ability to lead and support departmental transitions relative to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to research and analyze complex data and processes, interpret policy and problem solve.
• Ability to identify cost saving opportunities and address emerging and changing needs.
• Ability to lead working groups and provide expertise for developing and implementing continuous improvement strategic plans.
• Ability to train in continuous improvements, methodologies, concepts and approaches.
• Ability to proficiently use Microsoft office programs, including Word, Visio, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Project and other knowledge capture tools.
• Ability to perform work with minimal supervision.
• Driver’s Licence for the Province of British Columbia.