Lean Process Specialist

Journey Group is a full-service construction group with headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D., and four divisions offering commercial, manufacturing, industrial, civil, residential and asphalt construction services in the upper Midwest and nationwide. Our company has a long-standing reputation of building lasting relationships with contractors throughout the region. Our experience in past projects working in and around the local construction market coupled with our solid reputation of being a fair, honest, and team-oriented company will bring a strong contractor interest to any project. With Journey Group, you're getting engineers and construction professionals with a wealth of education and experience-but you're also getting allies on your project site. Our team is trustworthy, communicative, fiscally responsible and never lacking in follow-through.

The Lean Process Specialist is an integral position for the Lean Department and demonstrates technical knowledge, sound leadership, organizational ability, time management, effective communication skills, and is professional in their delivery to multiple business partners and team members. This position is responsible for the implementation and accountability of project teams for their usage of the lean tools. The ideal candidate must be able to think creatively and generate ideas from the training and experience received in the field and through educational opportunities. This position will be responsible for support and implementation of the Last Planner System with our project Teams. The position is also responsible for supporting best practices concerning multiple areas of lean implementation.

Project Team Coaching

• First line of communication for project teams to learn and implement the Last Planner System and 5S.
• Collaborates with project teams utilizing the lean processes. Answer questions daily and guide teams to results.
• Subject matter expert in last planner system and train project teams to ensure proper project implementation.
• Collaborate with project teams to include internal team members, subcontractors, and vendors for proper usage of standards throughout project duration.
• Coordinate preliminary project kick offs, pull plans, and subcontractor education sessions.
• Manage the project team schedule for weekly work plans, pull plans, and schedule updates to ensure they are happening routinely.
• Conduct weekly check ins with all projects to ensure they are following standards.

General Duties

• Ability to update and maintain schedules using software.
• Develop schedule expertise to ensure schedules align with Journey Group and Industry Standards.
• Collect and maintain variances on the master tracking document.
• Provide feedback to project teams on variances and their tracking of variances.
• Research Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to add and maintain trackable data.
• Seek out educational opportunities that would help Journey Group increase lean knowledge.
• Research and strategically implement processes that can improve our efficiency, productivity, and overall company morale.
• Lead internal and external lean training bootcamp.
• Assist Lean Manager with process mapping, 5S efficiency evaluations, and training program creation.
• Must be able and willing to create and maintain a good working relationship with all employees within the team.

• Bachelor's or Associates Degree in Construction Management, Industrial Engineering, Engineering, or related field of study.
• Five years of construction project field experience with exposure to all phases of a construction project, Lean Construction methods and tools; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.

• Ability to develop a passion for lean construction and develop relationships to share this passion.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy in a group format.
• Must be able to interact and communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate tactfully and professionally with subcontractors, vendors, and internal team members by e-mail, phone, and in-person.
• Must be a confident communicator and able to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to display customer focus and professionalism and be part of a strong team.
• Ability to analyze information, paying special attention to detail to identify trends with behavior and information.
• Ability to maintain an upbeat and outgoing demeanor and be a champion of the lean processes.
• Must be able to respectfully challenge the status quo and be able to engage in healthy debates.
• Excellent listening skills and ability to accept feedback.
• Must be a self-learner that is willing to research new concepts and ideas to share with the lean teams.
• Must be willing and able to travel for training and other educational opportunities.
• Able to embrace Journey Group core values.
• Able to prioritize multiple tasks and meet stringent deadlines.
• Able to think independently and problem solve.
• Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism.
• Proficient in applicable software programs including Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Visio, and Microsoft Suite of Tools.

• A majority of work takes place in an indoor office setting equipped with a computer, desk, phone, and other typical office equipment.
• Must be able to inspect details at close range, interact, communicate, and exchange accurate information consistently.
• Must be able to retain a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Travel to other locations is occasionally required for meetings and trainings.
• Time will be spent in the field coaching and teaching field teams about Lean and Last Planner systems.

At Journey Group, we offer a variety of different perks and benefits. We offer competitive pay, annual review with pay increase opportunity, annual bonus, and Spanish/English bilingual premium pay. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, 401k with a company match, flex spending account, health savings account with a company match, short term disability, employer paid long term disability, along with a wellness program.

We want our employees to maintain a work life balance, so we offer paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and paid parental leave.

As a Lean Process Specialist, you will be eligible for a company provided cell phone (cell phone allowance - company provided cell phone for Safety and HR generalist only) and clothing allowance.

If you are ready to join our mission of positively impacting lives by building community, please submit a resume online or stop in and fill out an application at 4500 W 58th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57108

Journey Group is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding hiring and employment. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.