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What is a process improvement manager and how to become one
A process improvement manager identifies, analyzes, and improves business processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste. They work with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement, implement improvement plans, and monitor progress. A process improvement manager may use Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile to optimize processes. They also provide training to employees to ensure they follow the new processes. A process improvement manager helps organizations achieve their goals by ensuring optimized operations.
Avg. Salary $105,454
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%
Asian 6.29%
Black or African American 6.10%
Hispanic or Latino 14.91%
Unknown 4.33%
White 67.91%
Genderfemale 31.04%
male 68.96%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a process improvement manager?
Pros
Opportunity for career growth and advancement
Competitive salary and benefits package
High demand for process improvement skills in many industries
Ability to see the tangible results of your work
Opportunity to develop leadership skills
Cons
Can be challenging to get buy-in from stakeholders for change initiatives
May require working long hours or weekends to complete projects
May require significant travel, depending on the nature of the organization and its locations
Can be difficult to quantify the ROI of process improvement initiatives
Must be able to handle conflict and manage difficult conversations with stakeholders
Process improvement manager career paths
Key steps to become a process improvement manager
Explore process improvement manager education requirements
Start to develop specific process improvement manager skills
Skills Percentages Sigma 15.03% Lean Six Sigma 13.25% Project Management 10.16% Process Improvement 8.26% Kaizen 3.28% Complete relevant process improvement manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New process improvement managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a process improvement manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real process improvement manager resumes.Gain additional process improvement manager certifications
More About CertificationsProcess improvement manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific process improvement manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for process improvement managers include Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt.
Research process improvement manager duties and responsibilities
- Manage enterprise applications such as ERP, CRM and commissions calculating software.
- Manage projects and require personnel utilizing PMI tools and best practices from project initiation to close down.
- Lead department through SharePoint implementation.
- Focus are process, resource management and governance improvement opportunities to achieve breakthrough performance.
Prepare your process improvement manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your process improvement manager resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a process improvement manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable process improvement manager resume templates
Build a professional process improvement manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your process improvement manager resume.
Apply for process improvement manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a process improvement manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first process improvement manager job
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Average process improvement manager salary
The average process improvement manager salary in the United States is $105,454 per year or $51 per hour. Process improvement manager salaries range between $80,000 and $137,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
