Business Analyst - Continuous Improvement

Overview

First Energy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

First Energy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, First Energy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of 3,780 megawatts.

This is an open position with First Energy Service Co., a subsidiary of First Energy Corp. [SC00]

The Continuous Improvement Business Analyst role reports to one of the Directors, Continuous Improvement and can be located within the First Energy service territory. Travel on an as needed basis. The Continuous Improvement Business Analyst is an individual contributor who plays a vital role in identifying and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce redundancies, optimize operations, and ensure customer satisfaction. The individual should act as a change agent, supporting a culture of continuous improvement and empowering the organization to improve operational effectiveness and profitability while delivering exceptional service to all key stakeholders.

The individual should foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, creating a more efficient, resilient, and responsive organization.

• Identify opportunities and work with the business unit on process improvement, waste reduction, and cost optimization.
• Conduct detailed analysis of current processes, using tools like process mapping, value stream mapping, root cause analysis tools, and data analysis to understand pain points, inefficiencies, and root causes of problems.
• Gather and analyze data, including performance metrics and KPIs, to quantify process inefficiencies and track improvements over time.
• Lead and participate in workshops and other initiatives to drive process enhancements and engage team members in problem-solving.
• Collaborate with various departments and stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for improvement initiatives, adopting a collaborative approach to change.
• Establish metrics to track progress and measure the impact of improvement initiatives, reporting on project status, savings, and outcomes to senior leadership.
• Apply controls and provide ongoing support to ensure that optimized processes are effectively implemented and maintained by teams, preventing lapses and embedding improvements in daily operations.
• Remain updated on industry trends and best practices by continuously researching and learning about new technologies, methodologies, and best practices.
• Evaluate potential improvement projects based on their financial impact and prioritize those that offer the highest return on investment and or base O&M reductions.
• Assess the financial implications of different improvement strategies and choose the most impactful solutions based on data and analysis.
• Utilize and develop tools to maximize asset value through sound strategy, informed decision-making, and business process and tool development
• Develop predictive and prescriptive models using statistical techniques, software, and machine learning algorithms to forecast future trends and outcomes.
• Develop reports using platforms such as Oracle BIP, Toad Database, Rapid Miner, Python, and other tools through data visualization tools
• Participate in periodic release process regression testing as needed.
• Build and maintain models to enable and improve data-driven decision-making.
• Focus on safety and compliance by applying continuous improvement to ensure adherence to safety regulations and industry standards
• Additional hours of labor may be required during storm restoration so that we may meet the needs of our Customers.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, data science, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering, in lieu of degree, two years of related experience required.
• Related experience includes but is not limited to process improvement and optimization efforts, financial management and change management. Experience in managing and delivering CI projects, meeting deadlines, and budgetary requirements, is also necessary.
• Proven expertise in electric utility operations, ability to drive operational excellence, and innovation.
• Analyze and interpret data to identify areas for improvement and measure the effectiveness of implemented changes.
• Capabilities to analyze key financial ratios to evaluate performance and identify areas for improvement or potential risks
• Deep understanding and experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Skills in mapping current state processes and identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
• Ability to plan, execute, and manage continuous…