LEAD OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

G.A. West & Co. has a new long-term career opportunity available in Creola, Alabama! We’re seeking someone to fill our role as Lead of Strategic Initiatives. The Lead is responsible for supporting initiatives that improve business operations, implement technology solutions, and drive organizational transformation across GA West. Reporting to the Director of Document Control, Data Collection, and Safety Compliance, this position will work closely with the Director to plan, coordinate, and execute enterprise-wide initiatives. As the individual develops a strong understanding of the business, they will progressively assume leadership of select projects and initiatives, leading them independently with appropriate guidance and oversight. This is not a traditional project management role. Success requires the ability to navigate ambiguity, collaborate across departments, solve complex business challenges, implement technology solutions, redesign business processes, and build sustainable programs that improve how GA West operates. As experience and organizational knowledge grow, the scope and leadership of initiatives will expand accordingly.

This is a highly hands-on role. While collaboration and coordination are important, the majority of the work involves personally designing, building, configuring, documenting, testing, and implementing business processes and technology solutions. The successful candidate will be expected to spend significant time performing detailed execution of work rather than directing the work of others. This position is expected to be both the architect and the builder of many strategic initiatives – with the training and guidance of the Director.

Primary Responsibilities

• Enterprise Programs
  • Support strategic initiatives from planning and design through implementation and post-deployment support, while personally completing many of the detailed tasks required to bring solutions into production.
  • Coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously while ensuring alignment with company priorities.
  • Assist in the development of implementation strategies, schedules, and milestones
  • Help identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies
  • Provide regular updates to Director regarding project status and outcomes.
• Business Process Improvement
  • Work with the Director to analyze existing business processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Develop detailed process maps, workflow documentation, business requirements, standard operating procedures, and implementation plans.
  • Support the design and implementation of new workflows that improve efficiency, quality, compliance, and user experience.
  • Partner with operational departments to standardize and optimize business processes.
  • Work with the Director to identify opportunities to automate manual work through technology.
• Technology & Systems Implementation
  • Support implementation of enterprise software and technology solutions.
  • Work directly with software vendors, consultants, developers, and internal stakeholders.
  • Gather business requirements and translate operational needs into functional solutions.
  • Draw out workflows, create digital forms, develop document structures, and assist in the implementation of system functionality
  • Coordinate system testing, user acceptance testing, training, and organizational rollout.
  • Perform hands-on testing, troubleshooting, documentation, and refinement of technology solutions to ensure successful adoption.
  • Support integration between operational processes and business systems. 

Projects and Programs

Depending on experience and organizational priorities, this role will support improvement initiatives across many different departments and programs. Responsibilities will evolve as enterprise priorities change. Some of the primary, but not limited to, areas of focus are listed below:

• Enterprise software
• Construction technology
• Digital inspections
• Safety technology initiatives
• Workflow automation projects
• Fleet and driver programs
• Collaboration platforms
• Process improvement initiatives
• AI and digital transformation projects
• Document management initiatives 

Requirements

• Experience leading or assisting with complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong business process improvement experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute detailed, technical work requiring sustained focus and attention to detail.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience implementing enterprise software.
• Experience leading or working with a team on digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience with workflow automation or business process redesign.
• Construction, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, utilities, or industrial experience.
• Experience managing software vendors and consultants. 

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is energized by solving difficult business problems.
• Thrives in environments where priorities evolve.
• Enjoys building—not just planning. Finds satisfaction in personally creating workflows, documentation, forms, system configurations, and process improvements.
• Builds strong relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Balances strategic thinking with practical execution.
• Is equally comfortable working with field personnel, managers, executives, software developers, and external vendors.
• Sees opportunities to improve systems, processes, and technology before others do. 

G.A. West & Company, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. To provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been, and will continue to be, G.A. West policy not to discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, genetic information, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, gender, disability, pregnancy, affectional or sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law for all personal actions and all phases of recruitment and/or employment.