Continuous Improvement Specialist III - Industrial Engineering, PCGS (Santa Ana, CA)

Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We grade, authenticate, vault, and sell millions of record-setting collectibles, all while modernizing and digitalizing the process to further our mission of helping collectors pursue their passions. We’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our growing team.

Our services span collectible trading cards, autographs, comic books, coins, video games, event tickets, and memorabilia. Our subsidiaries include PSA, PCGS, Beckett, SGC, and Card Ladder.

Since our founding in 1986, we have graded and authenticated millions of items. We employ more than 3000 people across our headquarters in Santa Ana, California and offices in New Jersey, Texas, Florida, Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the UK, and France.

As part of our interview process, we request that candidates have their cameras on during video interviews. This helps foster meaningful conversation and allows us to create an experience that closely resembles our standard working environment. Certain interview steps may take place by phone. For remote roles, and at our discretion, candidates may be asked to participate in an on-site interview as part of the final stages of the process.

We understand there may be occasional circumstances requiring accommodation and are happy to discuss them as needed. Your recruiter will be able to clarify expectations and answer any questions you have.

We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement Specialist III to drive operational excellence culture by leading improvement efforts that strengthen how the organization operates for our brand, PCGS. Building on established continuous improvement skills, you will independently manage moderate scope initiatives, analyze process and performance data, and recommend practical solutions that improve efficiency, quality, cost effectiveness, and risk control. You will apply professional judgment within established guidelines and play an active role in improving and sustaining enterprise processes and performance standards.

You’ll report to the Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement and work onsite from our Santa Ana, California office with occasional travel (3-4 times per year).

Onsite Requirement:

This role requires you to be onsite in the office 5 days per week.

What You’ll Do:

Continuous Improvement & Business Operations:

Lead analysis of end-to-end business processes using Value Stream Mapping (VSM), DMAIC, and related methodologies to identify inefficiencies, risks, and improvement opportunities across functions

Independently execute assigned continuous improvement initiatives, determining appropriate analytical methods, adapting standard approaches as needed, and recommending sustainable, data-driven solutions

Plan and facilitate structured improvement events (e.g., Kaizen workshops), including defining scope, coordinating cross-functional participation, and documenting outcomes and controls to improve safety, quality, service, cost and people engagement

Develop, refine, and maintain standard work, SOPs, and process documentation to support consistent operating practices, compliance, and performance improvement

Data Analysis & Decision Support:

Define and refine KPIs and performance measurement frameworks; analyze operational and financial data to evaluate trends, improvement results, capacity, and productivity

Prepare dashboards, analyses, business cases, and ROI estimates that support leadership decision-making and prioritization

Perform workflow, timebased, and process analyses to inform optimization recommendations and support planning activities

Advisory, Judgment & Planning:

Provide professional, consultative guidance to managers on process design, improvement strategies, and operational controls

Exercise judgment within established policies and procedures to prioritize improvement opportunities, interpret results, and recommend courses of action aligned with organizational goals

Support planning, tracking, and reporting of improvement initiatives, including timelines, resource needs, and budget inputs for assigned work

Collaboration & Communication:

Build productive working relationships with operational teams, support functions, and external vendors to resolve issues and implement improvement solutions

Communicate complex analytical findings clearly and concisely to non-technical audiences, including leaders and cross-functional stakeholders

Contribute to capability building by supporting training materials, best practice documentation, and knowledge sharing related to continuous improvement methodologies

Who You Are:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience

A minimum of 4 years of related experience, or an advanced degree with limited professional experience

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred; required within a defined period if not already obtained

Applies developing professional expertise in continuous improvement, analytics, and business operations to resolve a variety of operational issues

Exercises discretion and independent judgment within defined procedures to address problems of moderate scope and recommend improvements

Works with minimal day-to-day supervision; receives general direction on new or complex assignments, with work reviewed for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with objectives

Strong analytical and problem solving skills applied to moderately complex business operations

Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)

Ability to exercise professional judgment and provide standard advisory recommendations within established frameworks

Effective written and verbal communication skills for preparing analyses, reports, and presentations

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $102,000 - $120,000. Actual compensation on this range varies based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including location, job level, experience, and skill set.

Reasons To Join Us:

Health Insurance: All full-time employees are eligible to enroll in Medical, Dental, and Vision

Additional Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for fertility, commuter, and educational assistance benefits

401(K) Matching Plan: We are proud to offer a competitive 401k matching plan to our employees to support their future financial goals

Vacation: All salaried employees are eligible for flexible time-off

Holiday Pay: All regular, full-time employees are eligible for ten company paid holidays

Employee Discounts: Employees receive discounts on select grading services for approved submissions

Flexible Hours: Many of our teams offer flexible schedules with varying shifts and will work with you to accommodate your needs

Fun Working Environment: Our team members are invited to participate in celebrations, holiday events, and team building activities

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Collectors uses e-Verify to validate your ability to work legally in the United States.

We are aware that there are instances where individuals are receiving job offers that fraudulently allege to be from Collectors or one of our business units. This type of fraud can be carried out through false websites, through fake e-mails claiming to be from the company or through social media. We never ask for personal information such as your bank account, Social Security numbers or National IDs, nor do we send or request payments for the purchase of business-related equipment. If you suspect fraud, please reach out to interviewfraud@collectors.com.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation,