Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – Essential Guide

Attaining Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is a significant step towards becoming a master of lean six sigma methodology and leading improvement projects for an organization. Building on the theories and skills learnt in LSS Yellow Belt training, LSS Green Belts identify key areas for improvement and have a central role in implementing the necessary changes.

Why do I need a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt?

As an LSS Green Belt, you will have the opportunity to deliver small-scale improvement projects which, if successful, can bring a genuine sense of fulfilment. Indeed, there aren’t many things as empowering as knowing that you’ve had a genuine impact on the productivity and financial performance of your company.

While LSS Yellow Belts provide support towards the start of an improvement project – typically through data gathering and the creation of process maps – Green Belts are heavily involved throughout. With oversight and guidance from an LSS Black Belt or Master Black Belt, they are the individuals who put the improvements into action.

Professionals with LSS Green Belt certification will usually spend between 25% and 50% of their working hours on Lean Six Sigma projects. They are generally considered to be experts in Lean Six Sigma methodology and a driving force for quality in their organization.

What jobs require LSS Green belt certification?

There are a number of jobs available to professionals who hold LSS Green Belt certification including, but not limited, to the following:

Continuous improvement manager – A common role in the manufacturing sector, continuous improvement managers are responsible for improving production efficiency through the measurement and testing of organizational procedures. They are expected to drive the ongoing improvement of key processes and systems, identify new metrics to measure efficiency, and implement programs that have long-term business benefits.

Quality engineer – As a quality engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring your organization’s products or services meet the required customer standards. This will involve working closely with various stakeholders including customers, design teams, suppliers and manufacturing teams, in order to identify any issues that could impact the overall quality of the end product. Quality engineers will typically be responsible for creating any documentation relating to quality standards, as well as devising and conducting quality tests.

Quality manager – The role of a quality manager is sometimes confused with that of a quality engineer. However, while a quality engineer takes more of a bottom-up approach to quality improvement, a quality manager effectively “owns” quality within an organization. Key responsibilities include understanding customer needs to develop effective quality control processes; devising and reviewing product and process specifications; and setting and monitoring compliance with raw material requirements for suppliers.

Process analyst – Process analysts – also known as improvement analysts – help organizations identify any areas where processes and performance can be improved. They do this by interviewing internal staff and carrying out site observations to evaluate whether the appropriate equipment, personnel and methods are being used. Process analysts are also expected to stay on top of industry trends to spot any technological developments that could lead to even greater process efficiencies.

What salary can you earn as an LSS Green Belt?

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According to Salary.com, the average salary in the United States for somebody with Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is $101,500 (as of July 30, 2019). The range typically falls between $83,100 and $109,300, and can be affected by a number of factors including additional skills and certifications, education, the number of years somebody has worked in their chosen profession, and the industry in which they operate.

However, Indeed.com estimates the average salary of a certified Green Belt at $95,261, with ASQ’s Quality Progress Salary Survey stating that Green Belts earn more than $10,000 more than Yellow Belts.

How can somebody attain LSS Green Belt certification?

With Certification Guide’s LSS Green Belt program, professionals can study online, completing self-paced learning modules alongside live webinars led by a certified Certification Guide instructor and 1-on-1 mentorship from a Certification Guide Certified Coach.

During the course, candidates will complete a Lean Six Sigma DMAIC improvement project; learn the Lean and DMAIC methods for improvement, along with the statistical tools that enable these; and apply these methods and tools to real-life performance and quality problems.

Certification Guide LSS Green Belt training is competitively priced at $850 and includes all eLearning modules, templates and tools, plus live webinars and instructor training. For an additional $2,000, candidates can attain a globally recognized Certification Guide LSS Green Belt Certificate and benefit from eight hours of 1-on-1 coaching with a fully-certified professional.

To attain Certification Guide’s LSS Green Belt certification, candidates must pass an online exam by scoring 70% or higher, as well as completing a successful improvement program and the necessary learning modules.

What is the difference between Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt?

Green Belts typically have less of a leadership role than Black Belts – hence why the latter tend to demand a higher salary than the former. In general, project teams will comprise a number of Green and Yellow Belt professionals who will be responsible for actioning improvements under the guidance of a certified Black Belt.

A Green Belt’s understanding of Lean Six Sigma methodologies won’t be as advanced, but they will still possess the necessary knowledge to solve quality problems and perform analysis using the relevant tools. Black Belts, on the other hand, will have a thorough understanding of Lean Six Sigma – which they can impart on both Green and Yellow belts – along with an ability to lead successful improvement projects.

While Green Belt professionals usually require a minimum of three years’ work experience to begin training, a Black Belt must already be certified to Green Belt level and have at least three years’ experience in one area of Lean Six Sigma practice.

For more information on Certification Guide’s LSS Green Belt Program, please visit our dedicated program page, or get in touch with a member of our team today.