Process improvement support, where you need it, when you need it
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
The certified lean six sigma black belt is a professional who is well versed in the lean six sigma methodology, who leads improvement projects, typically in a full-time role. A lean six sigma black belt possesses a thorough understanding of all aspects within the phases of D-M-A-I-C six sigma 5-step project management methodology. He understands how to interpret and implement six sigma tools, and how to use lean principles and practices. Lean Ireland has a team of experienced certified lean six sigma black belts available to serve your continuous improvement needs.
The black belt is trained in advanced project management and statistical analysis tools. He is expected to contribute between €250K and €1M to the company’s operating profit each year by undertaking process improvement projects that lead to enhanced customer satisfaction.
Why use contract Black Belt support?
Employing contract project managers has become popular for every employer type, ranging from multinationals to SMEs and even start-ups. One of the reasons why it’s beneficial for companies to employ out contractors to work on specific projects is the specialised expertise then they can bring to a role. They can also adapt quickly to the organisation processes and culture, and deliver measured value on a quick return basis.
The contract project manager service compliments existing operational excellence department resources, or can act as a stand-alone professional support to the management team and process improvement teams on site.
The advantages to the site are many, and include:
A senior experienced project manager, available to assist as required;
Access to a wide and deep knowledge store of programme management approaches, and lean six sigma data analysis and problem-solving tools;
The support of a professional who is senior enough to influence management thinking, without having the natural hesitation that might inhibit a more junior permanent employee;
Use of support days in line with the organisation’s needs, and
The freedom to wind-up the contract if it becomes opportune for the organization to become reliant on internal black belt capabilities.
Black Belt Duties
Our experienced team of lean six sigma black belts have contributed in a variety of environments, from pharmaceutical manufacturing, to hospital wards, to financial institutions. Their duties have varied from organisation to organisation. We are flexible to meet your needs. Duties may include the following, in consultation with the management team and others:
Development and maintenance of the continuous improvement roadmap;
Project selection and team selection;
Project management, team mentoring and individual team member mentoring;
Assisting with yellow belt certification and green belt certification programme development;
Process problem solving with teams in manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse and office areas;
Data analysis and report writing, with recommendations, and
If required, the black belt will also facilitate formal learning workshops, on tools and techniques across the lean six sigma curriculum. The black belt may also facilitate yellow belt certification and green belt certification programmes.
The range of support days provided by the contract lean six sigma black belt is tailored to your needs. Support varies typically, from 3 days per month to full time 20 days per month. The duration of the contract project manager ranges from a short term few weeks, to longer term permanent part-time support.
The organisation may be eligible for IDA or Enterprise Ireland lean funding, under the Lean Business Offer suite of programmes. Talk to us about it today.
“Bernie worked closely with the global continuous improvement group in Bausch health throughout 2018. We worked on ambitious programmes such as global obsolescence reduction and global risk assessment to protect key revenue products. Also Bernie delivered six sigma refresher training and helped build green belt modules. I find Bernie’s attention to detail and level of professionalism absolutely reliable. I trust her to deliver at the highest level, to work or research on her own initiative and to travel and host workshops representing me within the corporation. I look forward to working again soon with Bernie and her colleagues and am always reassured by the level of aspiration that she brings to our projects.”
Barry Murphy, Global Senior Director, Continuous Improvement Program Office, Bausch Health
Bausch Health, Dublin
“Merit Medical chose Bernie (Lean Ireland) to guide our Business Excellence (BE) programme to success. Based on Lean principles, our operational methodology and focus have changed completely. Lean Ireland have enabled our transformation, resulting in lots of sweet numbers and great business success to date. Lean Ireland’got it right’ for Merit by tailoring a targeted, challenging and realistic road map which encompassed: Programme planning, Structure, Key people and Training to a high standard, enabling Merit personnel to deliver targeted transformation projects (early successes were key to build confidence and take on the next level projects). Bernie and Lean Ireland delivered ‘what they said on the label’ … and more, for Merit. We continue to work together and have extended our Business Excellence R-map to inc. Supplier Dev. and collaborative product re-design. The learning and drive to improve never ends. We made the right choice with Bernie and her company, Lean Ireland.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value
Mark Butler, VP of European Operations, Merit Medical
Merit Medical, Galway
“Working with Pat Cullinane was absolutely fantastic. Pat not only brings a wealth of expertise and experience in Lean but also a wonderful understanding of people. In any Lean journey people are key, and engagement is the most important part of the project; Pat’s insights, advice and recommendations in achieving that were invaluable. The energy Pat brought to every visit was genuinely inspiring – his passion and enthusiasm gave our team the regular boosts that were needed. Combined with his energy was the feeling that Pat does what he does because he loves it, and cares. He shared our vision, goals and hopes for APL’s future and helped us achieve them.”
Andrea Cawley, Director of Sales and Marketing, APL Plastics
Automatic Plastics Ltd, Tinahely, Co Wicklow
“Lean Ireland have also carried out lean six sigma sponsor training with the site management team which is proving invaluable in ensuring project success. As the Operational Excellence lead for the site, and a candidate on the Lean Ireland black belt course, I’ve had the opportunity to experience their service offerings from a number of perspectives. They are professional and innovative in the facilitation of lean six sigma courses, and responsive to Allergan’s particular needs. The response from attendees at their courses is very favourable, which results in increasing interest from our employees to “get involved” in the programme. As facilitators they are results focused, and the plant is enjoying excellent results from the projects being completed.”
Jason Flanagan, Site Operational Excellence Lead & Manufacturing Manager, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Clonshaugh, Dublin
Allergan Pharmaceuticals
My company Doyle Shipping Group have used Bernie’s company Lean Ireland 5 times in the last year. The main items we looked at were :-
Data Modelling and Visualization.
Capacity and Vessel planning.
Staff rostering and planning.
Lean Ireland using visuals were able to take our clients through the full project process. These clients were based in Ireland, France and Holland and found it so easy to have teams calls with the visuals being shared for all to go through the finer details.
We also used Lean Ireland to help us plan and Roster staff for a Government contract and this engagement with Bernie and the team proved very worthwhile.
The things I personally like about Lean Ireland are :-
Their availability at short notice to convene teams calls pertaining to the projects.
Their ease of which they interpreted DSG’s plans.
The clear way they explained the rationale behind their excel files and visuals.
Their reliability which made our foreign clients at ease very quickly.
Their enthusiasm for new projects.
I would highly recommend using Bernie and the team to any like minded companies out there.
