What are the responsibilities and job description for the Process Excellence Partner position at Avista?
Closes: May 3, 2026
Job Description
In this role, you will provide technical and strategic leadership in developing, monitoring, and administering the organization’s operational excellence processes with business units. Implements continuous process improvement methods, tools, and templates across the enterprise that focus on delivering exceptional customer value and improving internal operational efficiencies. Utilizes Lean and Six Sigma methods to analyze improvement opportunities and lead the improvement processes, focusing on innovation and operational excellence efficiency strategies and tools, such as automation. Uses effective project management, leadership and facilitation skills to lead and facilitate improvement projects with all levels and all functions of the organization. You will lead efforts and play a vital role in optimizing business processes through innovative design, cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement across the organization.
Responsibilities
Sr. Process Excellence Partner
Hiring Range: $100,378 to $131,496
Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Sprague Center in Spokane, Washington at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with additional day(s) determined by the manager.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee’s various knowledge, skills, and experience.
Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".
Total Rewards
At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That’s why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:
We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.
In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is $88,336 to $162,614. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to humanresources@avistacorp.com.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.
Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity
Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.
Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.
Job Description
In this role, you will provide technical and strategic leadership in developing, monitoring, and administering the organization’s operational excellence processes with business units. Implements continuous process improvement methods, tools, and templates across the enterprise that focus on delivering exceptional customer value and improving internal operational efficiencies. Utilizes Lean and Six Sigma methods to analyze improvement opportunities and lead the improvement processes, focusing on innovation and operational excellence efficiency strategies and tools, such as automation. Uses effective project management, leadership and facilitation skills to lead and facilitate improvement projects with all levels and all functions of the organization. You will lead efforts and play a vital role in optimizing business processes through innovative design, cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Works with team on assigned process improvement requests, leading projects as assigned. Facilitates work groups to develop problem statement, scope, risk, feasibility, and expected benefits of potential opportunities.
- Lead formal departmental operational/process excellence initiatives using program methodology and tools.
- Facilitates, educates, and supports cross-functional teams, advocates, champions, and stakeholders in operational excellence and process improvement methods and tools.
- Provides regular reports and metrics to department leadership and client groups as required.
- Establish, implement, maintain, and facilitate continuous improvement for Avista’s process excellence program.
- Coach, train and mentor leaders, advocates, cross-functional team members, and other employees and stakeholders in the operational excellence and process improvement methods and tools.
- Provides informal leadership, support, and mentoring to immediate team, advocates, champions, and stakeholders.
- Manage internal and external opportunities while collaborating with all internal and external stakeholders. Lead the effort to follow through on process improvement requests. Identify and prioritize process improvement opportunities by working with business units to develop problem statement, scope, risk, feasibility, and expected benefits of potential opportunities.
- Lead formal enterprise wide and/or departmental operational excellence initiatives using program methodology and tools.
- Facilitate the development, assessment, and implementation of key operational excellence performance program indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement efforts and track results. Ensure specific process improvement efforts identify and track KPI’s. Develops dashboards and/or reporting tools on process excellence activities.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in business, management, communications, technical, or related field required
- Demonstrated effective use of project management, facilitation, and leadership skills
- Effective and flexible written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and public speaking required
- Minimum four (4) years progressively increasing leadership responsibility in areas such as process improvement, Lean Office, and/or Six Sigma positions or related project experience required
- Lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt/Master Black Belt) or Project Management certification (or equivalents) preferred
Sr. Process Excellence Partner
- Minimum seven (7) years progressively increasing leadership responsibility in areas such as process improvement, Lean Office, and/or Six Sigma positions or related project experience required
- Lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt/Master Black Belt) or Project Management certification (or equivalent) preferred or willing to obtain within one year in role
Hiring Range: $100,378 to $131,496
Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Sprague Center in Spokane, Washington at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with additional day(s) determined by the manager.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee’s various knowledge, skills, and experience.
Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".
Total Rewards
At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That’s why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:
- Affordable healthcare options including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement benefits with an enhanced 401(k) match
- Incentive programs rewarding performance and contributions
- Competitive paid time off including holidays, personal days, and vacation
- Life and disability insurance for added peace of mind
- Wellness resources supporting mental and physical health
- Education and development support including tuition assistance
- Community giving programs encouraging employee engagement and impact
- Other optional benefits from Legal insurance, Pet insurance, and more (Eligibility subject to Bargaining Unit affiliation)
We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.
In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is $88,336 to $162,614. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to humanresources@avistacorp.com.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.
Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity
Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.
Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.
Salary : $88,336 - $114,838