Manager Process and Quality Improvement

Company: Western Growers
Location: Irvine
Posted on: June 24, 2022

Job Description:

Part of the Western Growers Family of Companies, Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) was founded in 1957 to provide a solution to a need in the agricultural community - a need for employer-sponsored health benefit plans not previously available from commercial health insurance carriers. WGAT is now the largest provider of health benefits for the agriculture industry. The sponsoring organization of WGAT is Western Growers Association, created in 1926 to support the business interests of employers in the agriculture industry. WGAT's headquarters is located in Irvine, California.WGAT's mission is to deliver value to agriculture-based employer groups by offering robust health plans that meet the needs of a diverse workforce. By working at WGAT, you will join a dedicated team of employees who truly care about offering quality health benefits and excellent customer service to plan participants. If you want to start making a difference working in the health care industry, then apply to WGAT today!Job Description SummaryUnder the direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Manager of Process & Quality Improvement will be responsible for planning, designing, and directing performance improvement work in alignment with organizational goals. The incumbent will coordinate and develop the infrastructure and strategies to facilitate the implementation of Performance Improvement and achievement of department goals, including integration of system-wide and strategic initiatives, performance improvement strategies, projects, and activities with system and departments priorities. In addition, they are accountable for providing business process solutions to meet internal and external customer expectations. The Manager, Process & Quality Improvement, partners with management, project champions, and process owners to execute the project and deliver results. This position will have three (3) direct reports, two (2) Reporting Specialist II and one (1) Reporting Specialist I.Qualifications

• BA/BS's degree or higher in business management, quality assurance, operations management, health care management, and five (5) to seven (7) years of experience of progressive growth in operations management with specific expertise in healthcare benefits/insurance required.
• Minimum four (4) years of continuous process improvement, integration, change management, or related business experience, and three (3) years management experience preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of health plan operations including claims processing, eligibility and enrollment, and medical management (utilization management and utilization review)
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt Certification or expertise in process improvement methodologies including Kaizen, Business Process Engineering, Gap Analysis/Business Process Modeling Notation preferred.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Visio, SharePoint, Project Management tools and data visualization.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analytics with the ability to take complex data sets, effectively data mine, and thorough analysis identify pertinent insights and interpretation providing actionable insights to drive quality and process improvement activities.
• Strong collaborative leadership style and ability to increase the departments' effectiveness and performance by assigning accountabilities, planning, monitoring and appraising results.
• Proven business leader with track record of delivering change with high impact results.
• Demonstrated experience in writing and revising policy and procedures as needed.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills - ability to communicate clearly and concisely to an audience that includes staff, senior management and make public presentations.
• Internet access provided by a cable or fiber provider with 40 MB download and 10 MB upload speeds.
• Home router with wired Ethernet (wireless connections and hotspots are not permitted).
• A designated room for your office or steps taken to protect company information (e.g., facing computer towards wall, etc.)
• A functioning smoke detector, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit on site.Duties And ResponsibilitiesProcess & Quality Improvement
  • Analyze existing operations, systems, processes, and metrics to identify pain points and prioritize high-value improvement opportunities.
  • Support identification and prioritization of future operational improvement projects across operational areas of the organization.
  • Create process recommendation documents, including presentations, process maps, supporting metrics, business requirements, and related impact analyses.
  • Lead the development of recommendations by other management team and apply Lean/Six Sigma concepts and techniques to process improvement initiatives,
  • Be accountable for the realization of results and present recommendations to stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders from across the organization and functional teams to help deliver improvements that balance competing priorities.
  • Work across multiple concurrent operational improvement projects.
  • Evaluate the quality and system efficiency and create strategies for improvement.
  • Lead improvement teams that will assist with the implementation of new recommendations.
  • Spearhead the training and education related to any new company processes.
  • Act as a subject matter expert to other departments and assist with sharing best process improvement practices, tools and materials while participating in ongoing communication activities and capacity-building peer exchanges.Project Management
    • Independently lead and manage projects that increase efficiency and overall enhanced operational performance. Projects will be varied in nature, from core business process improvements to multi-functional programs with diverse stakeholders.
    • Partner with senior leadership to manage to evaluate and prioritize project pipeline.
    • Provide project oversight: developing, managing and evolving project plans, including goals, milestones, deliverables and KPIs.
    • Coordinate diverse stakeholders, partnering with brand and functional teams to coordinate and execute projects successfully.
    • Own follow-up actions for unresolved questions with appropriate sense of urgency. Complete follow-up informational calls, follow ups for next steps, emails and/or case updates to customers and sales representatives (when necessary) within service level requirements.
    • Coordinate the Process Improvement and Quality Meetings by serving as the administrator. Convenes regular meetings, sets agendas, develops and analyzes performance improvement data, designs and implements related processes and systems.Data Analysis & Reporting
      • Perform data analysis and develop/drive and executes innovative strategies to achieve performance metrics, quality, service, and strategic goals.
      • Develop, coordinate, and implements sustainability progress on improvement activities in collaboration with improving performance leaders at the staff and department level.
      • Track performance and quality improvement after processes have been deployed.
      • Prepare and conduct reviews to create accurate performance reports.
      • Monitor and reports progress to leadership regarding performance management, process improvements, and quality.
      • Maintain data on a continuous performance and quality improvement basis. Regularly reports the status of performance and quality improvement efforts and impacts.
      • Ensure data collection is timely, reported regularly, and make recommendations for future improvements based on the data.Management & Leadership
        • Develop, manage, and lead a team of 3A+ self-accountable professionals.
        • Develop a culture of authentic, personal accountability by modeling the behavior that defines it.
        • Instill a culture of safety and expectation within your respective area/s.
        • Require direct reports to hold themselves accountable to high performance standards and personal conduct in a clear, helpful, straightforward way.
        • Make decisions and choices, impacting staff, using the steps outlined in the "Outward Mindset Skills for Leaders" guide.
        • Provide a robust mentorship, leadership, management, and technical training program to continually develop staff.
        • Assist in creating a career development plan for all staff members within the Operations department.
        • Present as a cohesive management team when implementing the decisions made by upper management.Other
          • Utilize all capabilities to satisfy one mission - to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members. Do everything possible to help members succeed by being curious and striving to understand what others are trying to achieve, planning, and executing work helpfully and collaboratively. Be willing to adjust efforts to ensure that work and attitude are helpful to others, be self-accountable, create a positive impact, and be diligent in delivering results.
          • Maintain internet speed of 40 MB download and 10 MB upload and router with wired Ethernet.
          • Maintain a HIPAA compliant workstation and utilize appropriate security techniques to ensure HIPAA required protection of all confidential/protected client data.
          • Maintain and service safety equipment (e.g., smoke detector, fire extinguisher, first aid kit).
          • All other duties as assigned.Physical Demands/Work EnvironmentThe physical demands and work environment described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others. The employee frequently is required to move around the office. The employee is often required to use tools, objects, and controls. This noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Keywords: Western Growers, Irvine , Manager Process and Quality Improvement, Executive , Irvine, California