Operations and Process Optimization Specialist

Position Title:

Operations and Process Optimization Specialist Salary Range:

$70,000 - $80,000 depending on experience and qualifications.

Hybrid: 90% Remote; 10% In Office;
Preferably living within 1 hour of Knoxville, TN. Eligible candidates must reside in the states of TN, MI, OH, IN, FL, WV, NC, TX or PA.

IACMI – The Composite Institute is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Operations and Process Optimization Specialist to support our Metallurgical Engineering and Trades Apprenticeship and Learning (METAL) and Americas Cutting Edge ACE workforce education and development program. In this role, you will support the ongoing growth and operational effectiveness of the METAL and ACE workforce development programs by leading process improvement initiatives, developing scalable systems, and enhancing data visibility across teams.

This role is ideal for an individual who enjoys building systems from the ground up and can balance strategic improvement efforts with hands‑on execution.

This individual will work closely with Department leads, Workforce Coordinators, and Project Coordinators to streamline workflows, improve partner management processes, enhance reporting capabilities, and develop mobile-friendly dashboards and tools that support field-based operations. The role will also support industry engagement efforts and help ensure operational consistency across multiple workforce development initiatives.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, technologically proficient, self-directed, and capable of identifying inefficiencies and implementing practical solutions that improve team performance and data-driven decision making. IACMI is headquartered in Knoxville, TN. This is a remote position requiring individuals to work independently and on a team in a virtual environment. This position, reporting to the METAL Program Director, requires travel with overnight stays approximately 10% of the time.

We value and welcome your unique education, background, and experiences in becoming part of our organization. Creating a culture with a strong work ethic that values your input while building career pathways is an intentional part of our ethos.

• Lead continuous improvement projects across METAL and ACE programs
• Analyze existing workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, communication, reporting, and scalability
• Develop standardized operating procedures, templates, and best practices
• Create sustainable systems that reduce administrative burden on Workforce and Program Management teams
• Support onboarding process improvements and knowledge management initiatives
• Facilitate process mapping and workflow documentation efforts

• Build and maintain automated workflows and reporting systems
• Improve data collection, tracking, and reporting processes across multiple programs
• Develop mobile-friendly dashboards and reporting tools for field staff and leadership
• Integrate and optimize platforms such as Salesforce, , Power BI, Microsoft Office Suite, and related systems
• Assist with CRM management, lead tracking, partner follow-up systems, and workflow automation
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual data entry and improve data integrity

• Create dashboards and visualizations to support leadership decision-making
• Monitor KPIs, milestones, partner engagement metrics, and operational performance
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements
• Assist with data validation and reporting consistency between workforce and program management teams
• Generate actionable insights from program and engagement data

• Collaborate with Workforce Coordinators to improve partner engagement systems and lead management
• Participate in meetings with industry partners, educational institutions, and stakeholders as needed
• Support conference preparation, industry outreach, and strategic engagement efforts
• Assist with documentation and follow-up activities related to industry partnerships and program implementation

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Project Management, Information Systems, Data Analytics, Workforce Development, or related field preferred, or relevant experience considered
• 3+ years of experience in continuous improvement, operations, project coordination, systems administration, or related roles
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Power Point
• Experience using CRM and project management platforms such as Salesforce and
• Experience building dashboards and reports using Power BI or similar tools
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a remote work environment
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams
• Experience identifying inefficiencies and implementing scalable solutions
• Comprehensive benefits…