Exploring The World Of Six Sigma And Six Sigma Jobs

Developed in 1986 by the Motorola Company, Six Sigma is considered one of the top business management strategies in the world. The core of Six Sigma strategy is to improve industry processing by determining the factors that cause processing errors and eliminating them. A company that can successfully improve the quality of their processing operations has a good chance of making great strides in production and service, enabling the firm to reach its full potential thereby creating Six Sigma jobs where people like you can come in.

Six Sigma Roles

The methodology of the Six Sigma strategy is unique in both structure and operation. It has been highly successful in helping many companies on the market today overcome processing difficulties to obtain set objectives. Different companies may have different objectives they are striving for. Some common objectives include: increasing financial profits, reducing production costs, streamlining operations and attaining greater customer satisfaction, just to name a few. Six Sigma strategies are based on current operating information provided by the company which enables consultants to evaluate processing operations, make necessary changes where needed and introduce new ideas that can help the company improve output and reach its objectives.

Six Sigma’s efforts to achieve quantifiable progress involves using a quality management structure known as “belts.” Each “belt” represents a specific level of training which Six Sigma representatives acquire to help companies grow and prosper. As consultants acquire the experience and skills associated with a “belt”, they are advanced to the next level. Six Sigma jobs listed by Six Sigma belts are distinguished as follows:

Yellow Belts: acquire basic skills of Six Sigma applications via on the job training. These individuals are already employed by the company and are receiving training in Six Sigma methodology on the side.

Green Belts: operate under the tutelage of Black Belt instructors to implement Six Sigma initiatives within a firm. These individuals are also company employees.

Black Belts: train lower level belts and focus primarily on implementing Six Sigma projects. This position is a fulltime job no other responsibilities on the side.

Master Black Belts: function as coaches for Green and Black Belt teams. Their main focus involves statistical analysis and the monitoring of strategy application of their teams.

Champions: assume command of a company’s Six Sigma strategy implementation. They are generally of senior management level and assume the role of mentoring Black Belts under their jurisdiction.

Executive Leadership: are responsible for initiating all Six Sigma efforts and empower all Six Sigma roles to accomplish their tasks.

Six Sigma Jobs

The demand for Six Sigma consultants today is great, especially at the Black Belt and Master Black Belt levels. Black Belt Six Sigma consultants have the knowledge and expertise to help floundering businesses recuperate their status as well as assist new companies in rising to the top. Many successful companies on the market today consider Six Sigma consultants a viable asset for their future. Currently, opportunities for Six Sigma careers are at an all time high with even greater possibilities to come.

Independent business consultants who aspire to advance in their profession would do well to acquire Six Sigma skills and training. As a Master Black Belt, your services would be in high demand due to your knowledge of Six Sigma methodology. In addition, you can train others in this field, increasing your usefulness.

Master Black Belt training programs are comprehensive and rigorous, requiring extensive study and concentration. By obtaining hands on experience during your training, you increase your chances of obtaining one of the better Six Sigma jobs. Once you demonstrate a high level of proficiency in Six Sigma strategy skills, corporations will come to you with generous offers of employment. In order to reach this level of prestige, however, you will need to be highly familiar with Six Sigma methodology and strategies. You must also have acquired sufficient skill in process analysis and design to be able to complete key company projects that come your way.

Six Sigma consultants must be creative and possess good leadership and communications skills in order to lead those under them. Good judgment and decision making skills are also qualities that will help you get ahead in this field. Many black belt Six Sigma consultants have a Masters or even PhD in the business field and thus have a substantial foundation upon which to build their training. In addition to these degrees, prospective consultants must complete specialized training and receive Six Sigma certification to qualify for this field.

Six Sigma jobs can be found in all types of industries to include food and beverage, finance, energy, computer firms and more. Many top paying corporations advertise their need for Six Sigma consultants on the Internet. By researching these websites you can get an idea of what kind of positions are available and what employers are looking for. As a Six Sigma graduate, you should also take initiative in approaching multi-national firms whom you feel could benefit from your qualifications and skills.

Six Sigma Salaries

Beginning salaries for Black Belt graduates of Six Sigma training may start anywhere between $70,000 to $80,000 per year. Average salaries for Master Six Sigma Black Belts may start as high as $130,000, depending on your location and the company in which you are employed. Both these figures will increase once you have gained more experience in the field. Some of the industries which offer the highest salaries for Black Belt trainers are food and beverage, computer industries and energy/utilities companies, often topping $100,000 annually for their consultants.

The cost of Six Sigma training is not cheap. You can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 up to $7,000 for a certification program. Online programs may save you transportation fees, but you will still need to invest time and effort to obtain certification. By taking an online Six Sigma training program, you can set your own schedule for completion, depending on the amount of time you invest in the endeavor.

There is no doubt that Six Sigma careers are lucrative and offer a very promising future. At the same time, they require a great deal of investment on the part of those who want to truly excel in this field. Not everyone has the potential to land such high paying Six Sigma jobs, but for the tenacious few, they are a goal worth pursuing.

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