3M
3M Center
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
Phone: 1-888-3M HELPS
Phone: 1-888-364-3577
Leadership Program Contact
www.3m.com
Defining Leadership
How does your company view leadership?
Of all the pathways to growth, investing in our people is most important.
The premise is very simple—if your people grow, your company will grow. The key:
linking growth in individuals to those things that unlock energy and activities that our
customers value.
Clearly, 3M’s first chairman of the board, William L. McKnight, was a unique leader,
and 3M has had outstanding leaders at all levels of the company ever since.
Leadership development remains at the top of the company’s agenda.
Leadership Programs and Training
What are the program(s) called?
Four highlighted programs:
• Optimized Operations (O2) program
• The Six Sigma Manufacturing Engineer (SSME) program
• Strategic Business Development (SBD) program
• Strategic Communications Development Program
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OPTIMIZED OPERATIONS (O2) PROGRAM
What is the duration of the program?
O2 is a one-year program that helps 3M develop world-class talent for 3M
manufacturing plants.
Please describe the leadership program.
Our Optimized Operations Program offers an experience beyond the mainstream
within engineering and supply chain analysis. In existence since the mid-1980s,
Optimized Operations (O2) has a tremendous brand following within 3M. O2
employees (O2s) receive advanced training in Lean Six Sigma methodologies and
statistical analysis at one of 3M’s many manufacturing plants or distribution centers
across the United States.
O2s develop skills that allow them to contribute immediately. During training, they
lead Lean Six Sigma projects in manufacturing plants or distribution centers. O2s are
involved in cost of poor quality (yield loss or rate loss on constrained resources)
projects to develop statistical analysis (design of experiments, multi-vari, failure
mode and effects analysis) and problem-solving skills. O2s use the Lean Six Sigma
methodologies and are trained as Lean Six Sigma Green Belts. In addition, O2s are
trained in supply chain principles, project management, leadership, interpersonal and
facilitation skills. These skills contribute to an individual’s growth as well as value
for our customers.
Qualifications of the candidate:
Candidates are selected from a diverse student population with undergraduate and
graduate degrees in chemical, mechanical, industrial and quality engineering, supply
chain, operations, manufacturing sciences and safety-related programs. We
particularly seek candidates who have had prior manufacturing internships or co-op
experiences.
What opportunities does the program provide?
O2s are recruited for specific plant needs based on degree and start date. They lead
at least two major projects during their training year, and their membership on
multiple project teams at any given time gives them broad exposure.
O2s begin work at the plant for orientation and, after a few weeks, travel to 3M
Center in St. Paul, Minn., to begin their classroom training. They are provided three
two-week training trips to St. Paul during their year in this development program.
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O2s build a tremendous network with peers in the program and O2 alumni that can
last throughout their career.
What impact does the program have on the candidates’ career path?
O2s are typically hired for one of two start dates a year that correspond with
December and June graduations. O2s complete their assignments at one plant
location with the goal of full-time employment at that plant at the end of the
developmental year. O2 engineers and analysts benefit from the unique experience
of working closely with experienced colleagues on projects critical to the future
success of 3M. O2 alumni are currently filling roles in a wide variety of 3M
positions, including plant manager and manufacturing director.
THE SIX SIGMA MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (SSME) PROGRAM.
What is the duration of the program?
It is a two-year program within the Optical Systems Division (OSD) designed to
develop technical talent for our manufacturing organization.
Please describe the leadership program.
The Six Sigma Manufacturing Engineer (SSME) (PDF, 537 KB) program is a
professional development opportunity for engineering graduates in chemical,
mechanical, electrical or manufacturing engineering.
During the program, each engineer will have a series of four rotational assignments
designed to build a strong understanding of OSD’s product and process technology,
organization and global supply chain. Typical rotations last six months and include
one rotation in St. Paul, Minn.; two rotations within OSD’s U.S.-based
manufacturing facilities (Menomonie, Wis.; Petaluma, Calif.; Decatur, Ala.;
Hutchinson, Minn.; or Greenville, S.C.); and one rotation within an international
OSD manufacturing facility (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan or Poland).
During each rotation, the engineer leads short-term (4 to 6 months) projects driving
product/process improvement, cost reduction and/or increased customer satisfaction.
At the same time, the engineer learns process improvement methodologies and tools
and develops a rich company network. Leading projects within the division’s diverse
manufacturing settings offers significant opportunities to develop personally and
professionally while contributing substantially to division objectives.
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Qualifications of the candidate:
Candidates are selected from a diverse student population with undergraduate and
graduate degrees in chemical, mechanical, electrical or manufacturing engineering.
Prior manufacturing internships or co-op experiences are desirable.
What opportunities does the program provide?
Broad exposure: Project rotations provide valuable networking opportunities,
including division, plant and corporate contacts. A local mentor and Six Sigma coach
will be assigned for each rotation. The engineer also meets regularly with the project
champion, division Six Sigma leader and division manufacturing director.
Participation in an international assignment provides considerable additional
networking opportunities and exposure within the international and corporate
communities not typical of new graduate positions. It also completes an
understanding of the entire OSD supply chain.
What impact does the program have on the candidates’ career path?
After successful completion of the two-year SSME program, the engineer will take a
regular, full-time technical position within OSD’s manufacturing organization.
STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (SBD) PROGRAM
What is the duration of the program?
Two years.
Please describe the leadership program.
Our two-year leadership development program in the Strategic Business
Development (SBD) Group is a one-of-a-kind career experience. You’ll work as a
business analyst on technical, consumer, industrial and international projects within
over 40 divisions and six global businesses. When you finish the SBD program,
you’ll have developed important functional and leadership skills, and, combined with
the broad company exposure, you’ll be ready for a successful managerial position in
any one of 3M’s six divisions.
SBD analysts lead internal consulting projects in three areas—marketing, strategy
and business development.
Marketing
• Customer needs analysis
• Customer segmentation
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New market opportunity
Pricing strategy
Product launch
Product portfolio analysis
Strategy
• Corporate strategic plan
• Brand strategy development
• Strategy analysis for executive management
Business Development
• Business plan development
• M&A strategic assessment
• High-growth market space assessment
Qualifications of the candidate:
3M seeks to recruit candidates with varied and diverse backgrounds. As
professionals with three or more years of work experience and demonstrated
leadership capabilities, analysts must also possess superior analytical, project
management and interpersonal skills.
Does the program have a special recruiting relationship with particular
universities/colleges/grad programs?
3M SBD recruits at the following university campuses and MBA conferences:
Universities
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Cornell University (Johnson)
Georgetown University (McDonough)
Harvard University
Indiana University (Kelley)
Northwestern University (Kellogg)
University of Michigan (Ross)
University of Minnesota (Carlson)
University of Texas (McCombs)
University of Virginia (Darden)
Washington University (Olin)
Conferences
• National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)
• National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)
• National Association of Women MBAs (NAWMBA)
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What opportunities does the program provide?
Often described as “the best of marketing and consulting, without the downsides,”
this unique internal consulting role is ideal for someone who is interested in:
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Working for a large multinational company with offices in 60+ countries
Consulting on various projects in different industries and functions
Working on marketing, strategy and business development projects
Utilizing your entrepreneurial skills to analyze and develop new business
opportunities
• Making a direct impact within an organization while maintaining a work/life
balance
• Working in a highly dynamic group with great visibility and exposure to upper
management and executives
• Working with other MBAs in a collaborative environment that promotes
continuous learning and provides great networking opportunities across the
company
What impact does the program have on the candidates’ career path?
The breadth of experiences and exposure you have as an SBD analyst is invaluable
to your career progression at 3M. Recent graduates of the SBD program have taken
positions in 3M ESPE as a new product manager, in 3M Aerospace as a business
development manager and in consumer and office as a marketing manager.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
What is the duration of the program?
Two years.
Please describe the leadership program.
Whether working to build customer loyalty, developing a marketing strategy or
bridging connections with stakeholders, successful communications rely on
strategic planning and consistent, targeted messaging. Our two-year Strategic
Communications Development Program for candidates with an MBA or graduate
degree in Communications offers you the chance to work on and learn from highlevel integrated marketing communications projects with clients throughout 3M.
Strategic communications analysts reinforce communications leadership, brandbuilding and business growth initiatives by collaborating with 3M marketing and
communications professionals around the company. Projects focus on understanding
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marketplace insight, message generation, integrated solutions and measurement.
Analysts bring fresh perspective and new ideas, cutting-edge communications
expertise and knowledge of communications best practices across 3M to define
strategic direction and solve global communications challenges.
Qualifications of the candidate:
Strategic communications analysts hold advanced degrees from acclaimed academic
programs. As experienced professionals in the fields of advertising, public relations
and other marketing communications disciplines, analysts leverage their work
experience and strong project management skills to lend a refreshing perspective to
3M staff and division teams.
What opportunities does the program provide?
Broad exposure: Working across several 3M businesses, analysts are able to transfer
knowledge from other areas of the company where projects have presented similar
marketing communications opportunities.
What impact does the program have on the candidates’ career path?
After experience on the strategic communications team, analysts pursue professional
opportunities in areas of 3M where their knowledge and experience can be put to best
use—while strengthening the goals of the 3M communications community.
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