About this role
Title Continuous Improvement and Business Analytics Co-op
Department Continuous Improvement / Strategy & Transformation
Reports To To be determined
Position Summary
The Continuous Improvement and Business Analytics Co-op will gain hands-on experience through a combination of improvement projects and recurring business support. The role includes data analysis, routine reporting, meeting coordination, structured problem solving, process improvement, and clear communication. It is designed for a student with strong learning aptitude, critical and logical thinking, curiosity, initiative, and motivation to make a difference.
The co-op is not expected to be an expert on day one. With coaching and practical experience, the student will learn how to complete recurring responsibilities accurately and on schedule, support and eventually lead meetings, work with data, organize complex information, build relationships across the business, and turn business issues into clear, actionable insights.
What You Will Learn and Develop
• How continuous improvement projects support productivity, efficiency, cost reduction, safety, quality, and business performance.
• How to analyze operational, financial, and business data to identify trends, possible root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• How to gather, organize, validate, and summarize information from multiple sources to support decisions.
• How to build practical analyses, trackers, reports, dashboards, and tools for improvement initiatives.
• How to use artificial intelligence and automation tools responsibly to simplify reporting, reduce routine work, and improve analysis.
• How to create clear PowerPoint presentations that organize information logically and tell a simple, meaningful story.
• How to translate detailed analysis into concise messages for leadership, operational teams, and cross-functional partners.
• How to use process mapping, root cause analysis, current-state and future-state documentation, and other structured problem-solving methods.
• How to understand business processes by working with employees across departments and observing how work is performed.
• How to build productive working relationships and support collaboration, trust, and implementation of improvement ideas.
• How to balance project work with recurring responsibilities, maintain reliable data and reports, and complete scheduled updates accurately and on time.
• How to prepare for, coordinate, and gradually facilitate meetings, including organizing agendas, presenting information, documenting decisions, and following up on action items.
• How to expand skills in Excel, PowerPoint, data visualization, automation, and other analytical tools used by the team.
Co-op Responsibilities
• Support continuous improvement and business analytics projects under the guidance of team members and project leaders.
• Perform recurring data updates, validation, reporting, and other routine analytical activities accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain and improve analyses, reports, dashboards, trackers, presentations, process maps, and project documentation.
• Prepare meeting materials and agendas, coordinate inputs, document decisions and action items, and develop the skills to facilitate recurring and project meetings.
• Spend time in operating and maintenance areas to observe work firsthand, learn from operators and skilled trades employees, and develop practical solutions grounded in how the work is performed.
• Ask thoughtful questions, share observations, and help identify practical improvement ideas.
• Provide clear progress updates, follow through on routine and project commitments, and complete assigned work with attention to detail.
• Apply feedback, learn from experience, and gradually take ownership of more complex assignments.
Core Aptitudes
• Strong ability and willingness to learn new concepts quickly.
• Critical thinking, logical thinking, numerical aptitude, and interest in problem solving.
• Curiosity, initiative, ownership, and motivation to make a positive difference.
• Ability to organize detailed information, identify the key message, and explain it clearly.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate with employees across different functions and levels.
• Openness to feedback and willingness to learn new tools, technologies, business processes, and ways of thinking.
Basic Qualifications
• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, Mathematics, Data Analytics, Economics, or a related field.
• Interest in data analysis, process improvement, operations, finance, manufacturing, or business performance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to organize data, use formulas and functions, and create clear analyses.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint and interest in developing clear, professional presentations.
• Willingness to work regularly in operational areas, engage directly with operators and maintenance teams, and learn through firsthand observation of processes and equipment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a professional environment.
Helpful, but Not Required
• Academic, project, internship, or co-op experience involving data analysis, process improvement, operations, finance, or manufacturing.
• Exposure to Power BI, Power Query, SQL, Python, or other analytical tools.
• Exposure to Lean, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, or other structured problem-solving approaches.
• Exposure to a manufacturing, industrial, or steel environment.
Quantitative Scope
• No budget responsibility.
• No direct reports.
• Works across multiple departments and functions while receiving guidance and coaching from experienced employees.
Work Authorization
• No sponsorship available.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
North Star BlueScope Steel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.
North Star BlueScope Steel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.