Senior advisor, Continuous Improvement

Reference Number : 970

Status : Permanent - Full-time

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $ $

Number of positions to be filled : 1

Application Deadline : 08/26/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we're building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.

Reporting to the Director of Continuous Improvement and Change Management, the Senior Advisor, Continuous Improvement, will be responsible for consolidating the continuous improvement function, including the development and deployment of best practices in continuous improvement at the national level. Their expertise and experience in continuous improvement will help strengthen the organizational culture, aligned with the evolution toward a culture of operational excellence.

The Senior Advisor, Continuous Improvement, will collaborate with various levels of management and business units to identify improvement opportunities, initiatives, and performance indicator tracking. The individual will support teams in evaluating the results of improvements, propose comprehensive support strategies based on best practices in continuous improvement, and advise groups during implementations.

They will be responsible for reconciling field results and regularly reporting on the progress of cost reduction objectives, new revenue generation, and employee engagement across all operational and corporate teams at VIA, nationwide.

Responsibilities:

Play a leading role in consolidating the continuous improvement function and its program, which will enable VIA to reduce its operational deficit through the implementation of sustainable solutions:

• Develop and implement continuous improvement strategies aligned with organizational objectives, in collaboration with all VIA teams: operations, business units, and corporate services;
• Present recommendations and oversee the deployment of continuous improvement methodologies to management;
• Support leadership and their teams in adopting continuous improvement initiatives and monitor performance indicators. Recommend mitigation actions when necessary;
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, cost reduction, and new revenue generation, contributing to the reduction of the operational deficit;
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of analytical reports on measured and validated results, as well as dashboards illustrating the progress of automation projects and the costs and benefits generated by continuous improvement initiatives (pipeline);
• Support leadership in the development and management of a portfolio of initiatives that will deliver sustainable benefits for VIA, aligned with business objectives (financial and strategic);
• Act as a resource person for departments in the development and evolution of their performance management systems to achieve — and even exceed — their goals;
• Work closely with Finance and Technology teams on continuous improvement projects related to technological advancements: transformation, automation, predictive analytics, etc.

Requirement:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and/or a relevant discipline;
• 8–10 years of experience in continuous improvement and/or in a senior operational excellence role;
• Proven experience in establishing and managing continuous improvement programs, including but not limited to operations, business units (P&L), and corporate services;
• Relevant experience in developing and facilitating workshops, follow-ups, and using various continuous improvement methodologies;
• Pragmatic approach to achieving excellence, with flexibility and adaptability in a fast-evolving environment;
• Ability to work across different organizational levels and support management teams;
• Results-oriented;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Autonomy in execution and decision-making;
• Excellent coaching skills and strong persuasive abilities.

Competencies:

• Collaborates with members of various teams. Promotes team spirit; provides constructive feedback, guides others, and shares knowledge. Adopts the perspectives of internal partners to clarify their needs and deliver value;
• Relies on a range of work practices to implement timely solutions to complex problems, demonstrating creativity when needed. Integrates continuous improvement into daily activities, always considering required internal controls and governance;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and French. Ability to interact and work effectively with others. Engages in open and honest discussions on topics in the organization's best interest. Explains concepts clearly and logically. Demonstrates a positive attitude and the ability to rally and engage colleagues in adopting new processes and systems;
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making capacity. Determines priorities and identifies the best ways to use available resources efficiently. Makes informed decisions based on thorough analysis, experience, and sound judgment. Takes a proactive approach, anticipating and resolving issues as they arise;
• Provides expert advice in their field. Motivates others by demonstrating a high level of commitment. Serves as a role model. Influences and persuades others to adopt a different perspective;
• Ability to adapt to the diverse realities of VIA employees across the country, supporting them in finding ways to improve their work and the product on a daily basis.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

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