Operational Excellence Analyst

Salary Range: $65,000-$90,000

Position Purpose

The Operational Excellence Analyst supports operational excellence through data analysis, process improvement, project enablement, and process governance. This role serves as an analytical resource to the Center of Excellence (COE) and operations teams by identifying performance trends, investigating the root causes of operational issues, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and providing project management support for strategic initiatives.

The Operational Excellence Analyst partners with COE Managers and operational leaders to drive data-informed decision-making, standardization, process effectiveness, and measurable business results. 

*This position is hybrid in our Bloomington, IL headquarters.*

Why Join Afni?

At Afni, we believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage. We’re committed to creating opportunities for growth, encouraging innovation, and empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on the business.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• A collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Data Analytics & Operational Performance

• Analyze operational, quality, productivity, recovery, and financial performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, variances, and root causes.
• Perform root cause analysis using methodologies such as Five Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, and other process analysis techniques.
• Partner with functional leaders and stakeholders to interpret performance data, investigate operational issues, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.

Project & Initiative Support

• Support COE-led initiatives through project planning, milestone tracking, status reporting, and maintenance of project documentation.
• Develop and maintain project management tools, including Gantt charts, project timelines, action logs, RAID logs, and implementation trackers.
• Track initiative outcomes and support the measurement of benefits realization and operational impact.
• Apply project and product management practices, as appropriate, to support initiative planning, execution, stakeholder alignment, and successful implementation.

Process Improvement & Governance

• Assist in the development and maintenance of process standards, business process overviews, training materials, governance documentation, and implementation resources.
• Facilitate data gathering and analysis to support Lean Six Sigma and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support current-state and future-state process assessments through workflow analysis, process mapping, and performance measurement.
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, process simplification, and improved operational controls.
• Support process governance by maintaining accurate documentation, reinforcing established standards, and helping clarify process ownership and accountability.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience in business analysis, operational analytics, continuous improvement, project coordination, or a related discipline.
• Experience analyzing KPIs, performing root cause analysis, and translating findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma methodologies, process mapping, and workflow documentation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, Power Query, and data analysis functions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Visio, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and project management applications. Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting tools is preferred.