How to Write a Lean Six Sigma Job Description (Free Template)
A structure that attracts strong improvement candidates, common mistakes to avoid and a copy-ready Black Belt job description.
JIT Recruiting · Updated November 13, 2026 · 3 min read- Lead with the problems the person will solve, not a list of tools.
- Name the belt level and reporting line so candidates can self-select.
- Keep requirements to what’s truly required; put the rest under “nice to have.”
Strong improvement candidates read job descriptions the way they read a process: they look for the problem, the scope and the support. A posting that’s just a list of tools and acronyms tells them nothing about whether the job is worth leaving a good role for. Here’s how to write one that attracts the right people.
Common mistakes
- Tool soup. Listing every Lean and Six Sigma tool doesn’t describe the job. Pick the few that matter.
- Wrong belt level. Asking for a Master Black Belt to run single projects, or a Green Belt to build a program. See our belt guide.
- No mention of support. Improvement roles live or die by sponsorship. Say who the role reports to and who the Champion is.
- Too many “requirements.” Long must-have lists cut out strong candidates who don’t tick every box.
- No sense of place. Say how much time is spent on the floor or in the field, and how much travel.
A structure that works
- The opportunity (2-3 sentences): what the business is trying to achieve and why this role matters now.
- What you’ll work on: 3-5 real problems or goals, such as lead time, scrap, patient flow or month-end close.
- How you’ll work: scope, team, reporting line, sponsor, time on the floor, travel.
- What you bring: must-haves, kept short.
- Nice to have: extras that would help.
- Pay and benefits: include the range. Many states and cities require it, and it saves everyone time.
Copy-ready template: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, [Site or Business Unit]
The opportunity: [Company] is [growing / consolidating / improving margins] and needs a hands-on improvement leader to [goal, e.g. cut order-to-ship lead time across two plants].
What you’ll work on:
• Lead [3-5] cross-functional improvement projects a year tied to [safety, quality, delivery, cost] goals
• Coach Green Belts and front-line teams through DMAIC and kaizen events
• Build visual management and standard work that sustains results
• Report validated results with [finance partner / site leadership]
How you’ll work: Reports to [title]. Project sponsor: [title]. About [X]% of time on the floor; [X]% travel.
What you bring:
• Black Belt-level experience leading projects with measured, validated results
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills with teams at every level
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis and Lean tools
Nice to have: [Industry] experience; TPS or Toyota supplier background; Master Black Belt mentoring experience.
Pay: $[range] plus [bonus / benefits].
Adapt the same structure for Green Belt roles (narrower scope, fewer coaching duties) and Master Black Belt or CI leadership roles (program design, training curriculum, portfolio management and executive reporting).
Before you post: ask your best current improvement person to read it. If they wouldn’t apply, rewrite it.
FAQ
Should we require a specific certifying body?
Usually not. Standards vary, and some excellent Lean practitioners learned on the job in TPS environments. Require proven results, and list certification as preferred.
Should we include the salary range?
Yes. Pay transparency rules apply in a growing number of states and cities, and ranges reduce late-stage drop-off when expectations don’t match.
Can JIT Recruiting write the job description?
Yes. It comes out of our intake call, and we can refine it with you before the search starts.
