Continuous Improvement Specialist at Summit Utilities Continuous Improvement Specialist at Summit Utilities in Fort Smith, Arkansas Posted in 10 days ago.

Job Description:

Summit Utilities Join our growing team and discover why Summit Utilities, Inc. continues to earn national and regional recognition as an employer of choice. Our recognitions include Best Places to Work in Maine (2019-2025); Best Places to Work in Arkansas (2020, 2023, 2025); Best Places to Work in Oklahoma (2022-2025); Best Places to Work in Missouri (2023 and 2026); Best Places to Work in Colorado (2025); Forbes America's Best Small Employers (2023); and, most recently, Proud and Purposeful Employer (2026). Summit is a growing natural gas utility that's committed to delivering reliable energy to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers, and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do. We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Continuous Improvement Specialist (SGL 16) to join our team. This position is available on a hybrid basis in Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Portland, Maine. We will also consider candidates in Texas who are able to work remotely.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Continuous Improvement Specialist enables successful adoption and sustainment of process improvements and operational changes by integrating process improvement discipline into Continuous Improvement (CI), Kaizen, and project‑driven initiatives. This role ensures that process changes are evaluated, governed, implemented, and embedded into standard work with minimal disruption and maximum value realization. This role serves as a bridge between CI execution, project delivery, and organizational adoption, ensuring improvements do not stop at implementation but become durable, repeatable ways of working.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Embed Management of Change (MOC) practices into CI, Kaizen, and process redesign efforts. Partner with CI leads and process owners to ensure improvements include adoption, readiness, and sustainment planning.

Support multiple types of process change, including incremental CI improvements, project‑driven changes, and regulatory or technology‑enabled changes.

Conduct structured assessments of impacts to: Process steps and workflowsRoles and responsibilitiesSystems, data, and controlsTraining and documentation needs Identify adoption risks such as workarounds, ownership gaps, and cross‑functional misalignment.

Support process change intake, prioritization, and approval workflows.

Ensure changes align with defined governance, risk thresholds, and decision rights. Help clarify ownership and accountability for process changes across functions.

Ensure updated processes are translated into: Standard operating proceduresJob aids and visual work instructionsTraining and transition materialsPartner with training and functional leaders to support readiness for new ways of working.

Define adoption and sustainment indicators for process changes.

Monitor early execution, identify breakdowns, and recommend corrective actions.

Support reinforcement through feedback loops and PDCA cycles.

Facilitate cross‑functional working sessions focused on: Change impact assessmentOrganizational alignmentOwnership and handoff planning Act as a neutral facilitator focused on process clarity, execution discipline, and risk reduction.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations, or related field2 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, process improvement, operational excellence, and change managementStrong understanding of process mapping, standard work, and improvement methodologiesAbility to work effectively across functional boundariesExperience supporting CI, Lean, or Kaizen initiativesCertifications in Lean and Org Change ManagementFamiliarity with MOC, operational governance, or regulated environmentsExperience partnering with PMO, IT, or transformation teamsBackground in utilities, or operations‑heavy environments

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Process‑first and systems thinkingRisk awareness and execution disciplineFacilitation and influence without authorityAbility to translate improvement into sustained behaviorComfort working in complex, cross‑functional environments The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home. Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status. Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. PI286547639