What does a lean six sigma black belt do?
A Lead Six Sigma Black Belt specializes in designing and developing tools and systems to optimize company operations. Their responsibilities include applying principles in addressing and resolving issues and concerns, conducting research and analysis to understand the needs of the company and its projects, and developing strategies to optimize the workflow and workforce performance. Moreover, they provide technical advice to managers and staff, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Lean six sigma black belt responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lean six sigma black belt resumes:
- Complete assign BB projects by achieving the goal statement in the planned timeline.
- Lead strategically align project teams, utilize LSS and DFSS quality improvement tools for data-driven decision making.
- Lead CPI projects to identify root cause analysis and identify solutions for field issues in the machines.
- Manage cost reduction projects using DMAIC methodology from divisional support function.
- Design project planning database, using DMADV methodology to manage productivity project plans and financial metrics.
- Lead cross-functional team of customer service, logistics, and 3rd-party logistics supplier, improving delivery-to-promise by reducing export documentation issues.
- Develop KPI's for the aircraft performance and the cost savings for each aircraft.
- Validate data points with statistical analysis in MiniTab to demonstrate the statistical significant factors in reducing cycle time.
- Perform data collection and analysis using MINITAB statistics tool.
- Create control plan, SPC and FMEA for the overall process.
- Managed/Facilitate a large scale FMEA project for an entire product and process.
- Complete a DFSS project with resulting new annualize sales of $8 million.
- Assist the design and implementation of balance scorecard to measure JLG's KPI performance.
- Team member on new FDA 510K submission for which all the necessary tests and validation are performed.
- Complete six additional black belt projects utilizing the DMAIC methodology that result in savings of over $500K.
Lean six sigma black belt skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Lean SIX Sigma Black Belts are proficient in Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma Training, and Lean Sigma. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Lean SIX Sigma Black Belts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lean Six Sigma, 15%
Utilized Lean Six Sigma methodology to attain solutions which reduced turn-around time, eliminated process defects/waste, and improved customer satisfaction.
- Six Sigma Training, 11%
Participated as core team member of corporate wide Six Sigma online resource tool improvement project resulting in increased usage and effectiveness.
- Lean Sigma, 10%
Provide direction and training to engineers on use of Lean Sigma tools and statistical techniques.
- Project Management, 6%
Created and implemented initiates, which streamlined project management and the management of information at facility.
- Minitab, 5%
Validated data points with statistical analysis in MiniTab to demonstrate the statistical significant factors in reducing cycle time.
- Sigma Tools, 4%
Utilized Six Sigma tools to develop skills and implement methodology into organization.
Common skills that a lean six sigma black belt uses to do their job include "lean six sigma," "six sigma training," and "lean sigma." You can find details on the most important lean six sigma black belt responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a lean six sigma black belt to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." Lean six sigma black belts often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "offered creative project ideas relating to store operations that will positively impact the bottom line. "
Listening skills. Many lean six sigma black belt duties rely on listening skills. "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff," so a lean six sigma black belt will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways lean six sigma black belt responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated process changes resulting from improvement projects to 30+ departments across eight sites, including product support and operations business units. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of lean six sigma black belts is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday lean six sigma black belt duties, as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "trained approximately 14 engineers in six sigma methodology and basic statistics. "
Speaking skills. For certain lean six sigma black belt responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a lean six sigma black belt rely on this skill, as "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what lean six sigma black belts do: "presented updates to dealers and tech communicators during worldwide cpi conference. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a lean six sigma black belt to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what lean six sigma black belts relies on this skill, since "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." How this skill relates to lean six sigma black belt duties can be seen in an example from a lean six sigma black belt resume snippet: "design control of manufacturing specifications, drawing approvals, and writing cnc code for machining. "
Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a lean six sigma black belt does. Lean six sigma black belt responsibilities require this skill because "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." This resume example highlights how lean six sigma black belt duties rely on this skill: "led cpi projects to identify root cause analysis and identify solutions for field issues in the machines. "
The three companies that hire the most lean six sigma black belts are:
- Intel5 lean six sigma black belts jobs
- 3M Company4 lean six sigma black belts jobs
- Webster Bank3 lean six sigma black belts jobs
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Lean six sigma black belt vs. Quality control engineer
A quality control engineer is responsible for conducting quality assessments for the company's products and services to ensure adherence to federal regulations and quality standards. Quality control engineers recommend strategic methods by analyzing processes and writing test results. They also identify opportunities for more services that meet public demands and market trends, helping the business generate more resources for revenues. A quality control engineer utilizes various software tools and applications to document findings, requiring them to have excellent communication and technical skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lean six sigma black belts and quality control engineer. For instance, lean six sigma black belt responsibilities require skills such as "lean six sigma," "six sigma training," "lean sigma," and "project management." Whereas a quality control engineer is skilled in "quality standards," "corrective action," "test procedures," and "quality issues." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality control engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $83,131. In contrast, lean six sigma black belts make the biggest average salary, $104,031, in the education industry.On average, quality control engineers reach lower levels of education than lean six sigma black belts. Quality control engineers are 10.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lean six sigma black belt vs. Industrial engineer
An industrial engineer specializes in devising various systems to improve the workflow and the workforce in a manufacturing setting. One of their primary responsibilities is to understand all of the procedures in a manufacturing plant and develop strategies to resolve issues or improve production operations, such as designing a cost-efficient machine or system that will enhance the quality of goods and boost the productivity of workers. Moreover, it is also essential to adhere to all the company's policies and safety regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment for all employees.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lean six sigma black belt responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "lean sigma," "minitab," "sigma tools," and "customer satisfaction." Meanwhile, an industrial engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "sigma," "excellent interpersonal," "cad," and "process flow." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Industrial engineers may earn a lower salary than lean six sigma black belts, but industrial engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $83,503. On the other hand, lean six sigma black belts receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $104,031.In general, industrial engineers achieve lower levels of education than lean six sigma black belts. They're 9.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lean six sigma black belt vs. Quality engineer
A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a lean six sigma black belt is likely to be skilled in "lean sigma," "project management," "sigma tools," and "value stream," while a typical quality engineer is skilled in "corrective action," "quality standards," "sigma," and "quality issues."
Quality engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $84,890. On the other hand, lean six sigma black belts are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $104,031.When it comes to education, quality engineers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to lean six sigma black belts. In fact, they're 8.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lean six sigma black belt vs. Reliability engineer
A reliability engineer is in charge of determining and managing the asset reliability risks of businesses. Reliability engineers are professionals who solve problems related to engineering. They are equipped with a better understanding of the principles of performance evaluation and prediction for product safety. The job requires knowledge of the field of engineering, strong communication, interpersonal skills, management skills, attention to detail, and reliability. They are also expected to become experts in engineering systems.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lean six sigma black belts and reliability engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lean six sigma black belt might have more use for skills like "lean sigma," "project management," "minitab," and "sigma tools." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of reliability engineers require skills like "java," "troubleshoot," "ruby," and "tcp ip. "
The start-up industry tends to pay the highest salaries for reliability engineers, with average annual pay of $139,857. Comparatively, the highest lean six sigma black belt annual salary comes from the education industry.reliability engineers reach lower levels of education compared to lean six sigma black belts, in general. The difference is that they're 8.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of lean six sigma black belt
Updated January 8, 2025
