Bank Ops Lead Process Improvement Engineer

The SouthState story is one of steady growth, deep community roots, and an unwavering commitment to helping our customers move forward. Since our beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a trusted financial partner across the South and beyond - we are known for combining personal relationships with forward-thinking solutions.

We are committed to helping our team members find their success while maintaining the integrity of our values: building trust, fostering lasting relationships and pursuing excellence. At SouthState, individual contributions are recognized, potential is cultivated and team members are inspired to achieve their greater purpose. Your future begins here!

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

It is the responsibility of the Bank Ops Lead Process Improvement Engineer to take ownership of all tasks and challenges that they encounter in the operation of their assigned position.  The Lead Process Improvement Engineer will spearhead the enterprise-wide efficiency and performance initiatives across our banking operations. This role brings deep experience in financial services and a proven ability to deliver measurable results through cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making. In addition to managing complex initiatives, this role provides project guidance and direction to other Process Improvement Engineers, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and sustainable outcomes. The candidate will be instrumental in driving a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and innovation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead and execute complex process improvement initiatives across diverse operational areas within the bank, leveraging Lean Six Sigma and other continuous improvement methodologies.

• Plan, facilitate, and execute Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and cross-functional workshops to identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and reduce operational waste.

• Develop and maintain detailed process maps and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, quality, and scalability of critical processes.

• Conduct thorough root cause analyses (RCAs) using tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, and Pareto analysis to identify systemic issues and implement sustainable solutions.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of opportunity tracking logs, ensuring that identified improvement ideas are evaluated, prioritized, and appropriately resourced.

• Drive the creation and ongoing refinement of benefit tracking mechanisms, quantifying impact in terms of cost savings, efficiency gains, risk reduction, and customer experience improvement.

• Collaborate closely with business line leaders, subject matter experts, and support teams to gather requirements, gain buy-in, and ensure successful implementation of improvements.

• Serve as a mentor and informal team lead to other Process Improvement Engineers; provide direction on project planning, best practices, methodology application, and deliverables.

• Manage or oversee multiple concurrent projects, ensuring on-time delivery, stakeholder alignment, and measurable outcomes.

• Support a culture of continuous improvement by identifying training needs, contributing to internal process improvement playbooks, and promoting operational excellence across the organization.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong work ethic based on a strong desire to exceed expectations.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with all staffing levels including senior and executive management.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Sound planning and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time to meet established deadlines.

• Strong leadership, coaching, and supervisory skills to lead and guide the Policy & Procedure Specialist(s) Team

• Ability to translate complex information into simple language that is easy to understand. 

• Exceptional composition skills including but not limited to writing technical procedures. 

• Ability to use good judgment to make decisions in a timely manner.

Qualifications, Education, and Certification Requirements

• Education: Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Business or related field

• Experience: 15+ Years Senior / Lead Process Improvement Engineer, 15+ Years Banking

• Certifications/Specific Knowledge:

  • Required: Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

  • Skilled in Advanced Analysis utilizing MiniTab

  • Familiarity with governmental guidance or regulations

  • Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project Professional

  • Skilled in SharePoint or other workflow systems (strongly preferred)

  • Project management experience strongly recommended

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS/CLASSES

• New employee orientation

• On the job training with manager (or other counterparts)

• Required annual compliance training

• On-going training, & cross-departmental training

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to effectively access and interpret information on computer screens, documents, reports, and cash denominations, and identify customers. This position requires a large amount of time in front of a computer.  This can be done sitting or standing with use of the right desk.  This position may require bending and reaching.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position will primarily operate remotely, but at times, may need to operate in an open lobby area with an individual work station, in a cubicle environment that may be loud throughout the day, conference rooms, or in a private office at a SouthState facility. Telecommuting roles no matter if hybrid or 100% full time telecommuting must have a secure home office environment that is free from background noise and distractions. They must also have a reliable private internet connection that is not supplied by use of cellular data (hot spot). Cable or fiber connections are preferred.  Requirements are subject to change, as new systems and technology is delivered.

TRAVEL

Travel may be required to come to meetings as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled/veterans.