Six Sigma Master Black BeltHiring a Six Sigma Master Black Belt is a smart choice for companies looking for long-lasting improvements in workplace effectiveness. Six Sigma professionals are experts at efficiency and management. Since the Master Black Belt is the highest level of Six Sigma, people with this respected certification have proven superior knowledge, creating effective strategies to help companies streamline processes, cut out waste and save money.

Job Duties for a Six Sigma Master Black Belt

A Master Black Belt is in charge of creating and implementing a Six Sigma strategy for an organization. The overall goal is to maximize output while minimizing cost. They work with a company’s executives and other stakeholders to determine specific goals and lead the Six Sigma team toward reaching them. Essentially, a Master Black Belt creates the path for the rest of the Six Sigma team to follow.

Utilizing Six Sigma methodology, a Master Black Belt figures out the problems, analyzes the data and develops projects to improve the organizational practices of a company. Once the project is underway, the Master Black Belt serves as a guide to the rest of the Six Sigma team to make sure that the project is finished by its deadline.                       

Six Sigma Master Black Belt Leadership Responsibilities

One of the most important roles of a Six Sigma Master Black Belt is being a leader. Since the job requires enacting major organizational change, a Master Black Belt must be able to effectively communicate with a team.

Six Sigma teams often consist of members of varying levels of the Six Sigma hierarchy; Yellow Belts, Green Belts and Black Belts. When the Master Black Belt creates a project, the Black Belts serve as project managers, assisting and overseeing the Green and Yellow Belts. The Master Black Belt leverages his or her knowledge and experience to teach the rest of the team how to properly implement change.

Six Sigma Master Black Belt Administrative Responsibilities

Organization is another vital job requirement for a Master Black Belt. Not only do Master Black Belts need strong skills, but they have to be experts in quality management as well. Since Master Black Belts typically have the ability to implement major changes in an organization, it is imperative that they do not let anything fall through the cracks.

The projects that Master Black Belts create can be very complex and detail-oriented. When each step relies on successfully completing the previous one, there is no room for error. Master Black Belts have to conceptualize and implement projects that the rest of the team can employ properly. They must also be available for guidance if the Black Belts run into any issues. Forming a strong management structure is a core element of a Master Black Belt’s job.

Pursuing a Six Sigma Master Black Belt Job

To become a Master Black Belt requires specific training and certification. However, Master Black Belt certification is not the only requirement to be hired as a Master Black Belt. Aside from the somewhat demanding certification process, companies may want candidates to have a particular amount of experience, whether it is a number of years or a number of projects completed at the Black Belt level. Most importantly, Master Black Belts must be adept at coaching, consulting and training in order to be successful.