Sr. Operational Excellence Specialist

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

In partnership with the Global Operational Excellence (OE) organization, this role supports Lean-driven improvements at the Illumina-Madison site by serving as a coach and subject-matter resource to teams, facilitating the application of OE tools, and supporting sustainment of key site OE systems that improve cost, quality, and production performance. The role focuses on enabling continuous improvement capability through collaboration, participation in training delivery, and influence within assigned projects or value streams rather than direct ownership of operational execution.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Culture Development & Strategy Support

• Influence and collaborate effectively to engage stakeholders to promote and support process improvement initiatives

• Promote a culture of engagement and continuous improvement within assigned projects or value streams

• Reinforce standard work that drives ideal behaviors

• Serve as a coach and subject-matter resource to teams and stakeholders, providing guidance on OE tools (including tiered management, 6S, Kanban, etc.) and supporting sustainment of Madison site OE systems

• Support development, implementation and monitoring of site goals and KPI’s through strategy deployment

• Promote effective change management for new and existing initiatives

Project/Program Management

• Support project and program timelines, milestones and budgets in partnership with local project managers and area managers

• Facilitate process improvement projects and events within assigned projects or value streams from initiation to closure

• Regularly support OE program report outs

• Support meeting effectiveness within assigned projects or value streams to drive efficiencies

Lean Methodology

• Facilitate process mapping and documentation to identify areas of improvement

• Ability to identify and provide coaching to address waste, pain points and bottle neck areas

• Support development of process improvement plans post process mapping analysis

• Regularly apply the principles of waste reduction

• Facilitate cross-functional improvement events (such as RIEs and VSAs) within assigned projects or value streams to support CI and achieve site objectives

• Encourages teams to think innovatively and test out new ideas to solve problems

Training and Coaching

• Serve as a coach and subject-matter resource for OE tools, principles and methodologies

• Participate in and facilitate training that builds continuous improvement capability within assigned value streams

• Support teams in applying OE thinking to real-world problems, reinforcing long-term adoption and local ownership

• Share knowledge and best practices within assigned value streams and site OE communities of practice

• Support Lean certification candidates in partnership with the area manager and global OpEx organization

• Support the delivery of training sessions in continuous improvement methodologies and reinforce application of these methods on the job

• Assist with business process management activities and support teams executing continuous improvement work

Production Support

• Support production teams by coaching the application of OE and problem-solving tools to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance, reinforcing local accountability and ownership

• Facilitate product escalations by enabling teams through coaching, training, and application of appropriate root cause analysis and problem‑solving tools.

Required and Preferred Skills (Preferred skills are specified):

Technical Skills

• Strong attention to details needed to execute complex tasks

• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, ability to solve complex and diverse business problems.

• Moderate understanding of Lean principles, methodologies and tools

• Familiarity with resource management and database tools is preferred

• Training and/or experience in basic project management techniques

Soft Skills

• Onsite 3 days a week

• Exhibits behaviors and attributes that inspire followership such as but not limited to building trust, showing compassion, being a stable presence and infusing hope

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills

• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively within assigned projects or value streams and with key cross-functional partners

• Strong leadership and facilitation skills

• Demonstrates strong active listening skills to understand diverse perspectives and needs

• Demonstrates growth mindset with openness to learning, feedback and continuous personal and professional development

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in STEM related field  

• 5+ years of general work experience (experience in a manufacturing/production environment is preferred)

• 2+ years of experience practicing Lean concepts

• Any Lean and/or Six Sigma certification is required (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred)

The estimated base salary range for the Sr. Operational Excellence Specialist role based in the United States of America is: $83,400 - $125,000. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role. Most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.