How To Become a Process Excellence Manager: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn about the steps important to pursuing a career as a Process Excellence Manager, including education, skills, salary and more.
A process excellence manager is responsible for leading and managing a team of process improvement specialists. The goal of a process excellence manager is to ensure that the team meets or exceeds the expectations of the organization. In order to become a process excellence manager, you will need to have a strong background in process improvement and management. In this article, we will discuss the steps you need to take to become a process excellence manager.
What Does a Process Excellence Manager Do?
A process excellence manager is responsible for leading and managing a team of process improvement specialists who are tasked with analyzing current business processes and developing ways to improve them. The goal of a process excellence manager is to ensure that all company processes are as efficient and effective as possible.
The duties of a process excellence manager include:
- Leading and managing a team of process improvement specialists
- Analyzing current business processes and identifying areas for improvement
- Developing new and improved business processes
- Implementing new business processes across the company
- Monitoring and evaluating the performance of new and improved business processes
- Preparing reports on the findings of process analysis and improvement projects
- Presenting findings and recommendations to upper management
- Training employees on new and improved business processes
Process Excellence Manager Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a process excellence manager is $97,850. This figure can vary based on the level of experience, education, industry and geographical location of the manager.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job prospects for process excellence managers to grow at an average rate over the next decade. This is due in part to the increasing complexity of processes within organizations. As businesses strive to streamline their operations, they will need the expertise of a process excellence manager to ensure that these processes are efficient and effective.
How to Become a Process Excellence Manager
Here are several steps you should take to become a Process Excellence Manager.
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, or a related field
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education requirement for a process excellence manager position. Common degrees that employers look for include business administration, engineering or computer science. Coursework in these programs should focus on statistics and data analysis, project management, quality assurance and risk management.
While pursuing your undergraduate degree, consider taking courses in business analytics, information technology, operations research and decision support systems to prepare you for this role. You may also want to take elective courses in subjects like economics, mathematics, psychology and sociology to help you better understand the people who use the processes you manage.
2. Gain experience in process improvement, quality management, or Six Sigma
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you can start building experience in the field. Entry-level positions for process excellence managers often require two to five years of experience in a related role. For example, if you major in engineering, you might work as an engineer in a manufacturing company before moving into a quality management role.
You can also gain entry-level experience by working as a project manager or team leader in another department. This allows you to develop leadership skills and familiarize yourself with business processes. You can also take on freelance roles to build up your portfolio and network.
3. Obtain certifications, such as a Six Sigma Black Belt certification
A Six Sigma Black Belt certification is a common requirement for process excellence managers. To earn this certification, you must complete a training program and pass an exam. The training covers topics such as statistical analysis, project management and business strategy.
The exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions that you must answer in four hours. You need to score at least 80 percent to pass.
4. Develop strong communication and leadership skills
Process excellence managers must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of an organization. They often work with employees at all levels, from executives to entry-level workers, and must be able to explain complex concepts in a way that everyone can understand.
They also need strong leadership skills to motivate their teams to achieve the best results possible. Process excellence managers should be able to set clear goals for their team and provide regular feedback on how they are doing.
5. Understand statistical analysis and process mapping
Process excellence managers must have a basic understanding of statistical analysis and process mapping. Process mapping is the visual representation of a company’s processes, showing how each step affects the others. This can help identify areas where improvements could be made to increase efficiency or reduce waste.
Process mapping also helps you understand how your department fits into the larger organization. You may need to use statistical analysis when analyzing data from surveys or interviews with employees.
6. Stay up to date on changes in technology and trends in the industry
Technology is constantly changing, and the industry you work in may have specific requirements for software or other tools. For example, if you work in a manufacturing environment, you may need to know how to use computer-aided design (CAD) software.
It’s important to stay up to date on these changes so that you can apply them to your role as a process excellence manager. You also need to be aware of trends in the industry so that you can anticipate what clients might want from their processes.
7. Join professional organizations, such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ)
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a professional organization that offers training and certification in quality management. Joining ASQ can help you stay up to date on industry trends and developments, as well as connect you with other professionals in the field. Through ASQ, you can also join a local chapter where you live or work, which may provide networking opportunities and access to seminars and workshops.
