Who we are:
The American Physical Society (APS) is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world.

 

Position Summary:
The Process Optimization Manager is responsible for enhancing the operational efficiency of the editorial workflows for APS journals. The position focuses on analyzing, designing, and implementing process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure high-quality outputs. The manager will collaborate closely with editorial, production, IS, and other teams to identify bottlenecks, streamline operations, and adopt best practices that support our publishing goals.

Key responsibilities include conducting process assessments, implementing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, driving automation initiatives, and ensuring seamless integration of new technologies into existing workflows. The role also involves training staff on new processes, monitoring the impact of changes, and continuously seeking opportunities to enhance operational performance.

APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access within the United States, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. APS values diversity and welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds. APS offers a dynamic work environment with an outstanding total compensation package, including salary, outstanding benefits, and excellent paid time off.

 

•Workflow Process Analysis & Improvement: Analyze current publishing workflows, identify bottlenecks, and recommend process enhancements to improve efficiency, quality, and turnaround times.

• Workflow Optimization and Documentation: Design, implement, and monitor optimized workflows across editorial, production, and distribution teams, ensuring seamless integration and minimal disruption.Create and update workflow documentation.

• Cross functional Collaboration: Collaborate with editorial, production, information systems, marketing and other teams to ensure alignment on process improvements and drive adoption of new practices.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of process improvements and adjust strategies as needed to meet business goals.

• Technology Integration: Evaluate and implement new technologies and tools to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and support the overall publishing strategy.

• Training & Support: Provide staff with training and support on new processes and tools, ensuring smooth transitions and sustained improvements.

• Change Management: Lead change management initiatives to foster a culture of continuous improvement and encourage innovation and efficiency across the organization.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that all processes meet the highest quality and compliance standards and address any issues that arise promptly.Education:

 

 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, or a related field. Advanced degree (MBA, MS) preferred. Directly applicable experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt preferred.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process optimization, operations management, or project management, preferably in the publishing or academic industry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in process mapping, workflow design, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and lead change.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with publishing systems (e.g., manuscript tracking and content management systems) is a plus.

 

Travel: This position requires up to 10% travel to attend events and meetings, including travel to APS offices in Long Island, NY; Washington DC; and College Park, MD, as well as other off-site locations for periodic meetings and training sessions. Additional travel may be required as assigned by the supervisor.

 

Salary:
The salary range for this position takes into account various factors influencing compensation decisions, such as skill sets, experience, training, and other business and organizational requirements. The salary listed within the specified ranges considers relevant experience. Our compensation philosophy at APS aims to maintain salaries at the midpoint of the market. As a result, we typically hire within the target starting range. Exceptional, rare cases may merit reviews above target starting range for specialized or niche skills aligned with strategic operational goals.

 

Hiring Range: $102,160/year - $139,193/year (USD)

 

Target Starting Range: $102,160/year - $113,653/year (USD)

 

Work Environment:
As noted above, APS offers a “Remote First” workplace. Although our Editorial Offices are located on Long Island, you can work from other places in the United States. We are flexible about work hours, but expect responsiveness during the core of the workday, Eastern Time.

This is Us:
Help us achieve our mission of advancing and diffusing the knowledge of physics for the benefit of humanity, promote physics, and serve the broader physics community.

 

Our Core Values:

• The Scientific Method
• Truth and Integrity
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
• Partnering, Cooperation, and Open Collaboration
• Speaking Out
• Education and Learning

 

Amazing 2024 Benefit Offerings:

• Flexible schedules and ability to work remotely
• 8% employer-paid retirement contribution
• Investment advisement services: 100% employer paid
• Medical benefits: PPO or HDHP option
• Employer contribution to FSA or HSA account, eligibility based on medical plan enrollment
• Lifestyle Spending benefit up to $2000.00 (USD) - 100% employer paid
• Dental benefits: individual coverage 100% employer paid
• Vision benefits: individual and dependent coverage 100% employer paid
• Basic Life & Accident insurance: employee coverage 100% employer paid
• Supplemental Life & Accident insurance, including spouse & dependent child(ren) coverage
• Disability insurance: employee coverage 100% employer paid
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness insurance
• Healthcare, Commuter & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Vacation: 15 days annually
• Generous holiday leave: 17 paid days of significance; includes one week closure at the end of December
• Personal leave: 4 days annually
• Volunteer leave: 1 day annually
• Sick leave: 10 days annually
• Bereavement & Compassion leave: 2 -15 days based on loss
• 12 weeks employer-paid family leave
• College tuition reimbursement plan
• Job related seminar & continuing education
• Professional Certification/Recertification 100% employer paid
• Training and professional development; access to LinkedIn Learning on-demand courses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mindfulness Meditation: live and on-demand classes
• APS does not offer relocation assistance/costs

 

The American Physical Society is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of American Physical Society not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of race, religious creed, immigration status, alienage or citizenship, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, protected veteran status, protected military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, ancestry, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at APS. The American Physical Society is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources at hr@aps.org. The “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal'' poster, prepared by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), provides an overview of several laws that protect you from discrimination on the job, and several rights are afforded to you by these laws. The “Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision,” prepared by the U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), provides an overview of several protections implemented to protect individuals working under federal contracts from discrimination when inquiring about or discussing compensation; these protections apply to all employees and applicants. The APS has a "remote first" concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations.