Make Excellence Manager

About Us

At Kenvue, we realize the extraordinary power of everyday care. Built on over a century of heritage and rooted in science, we’re the house of iconic brands—including NEUTROGENA®, AVEENO®, TYLENOL®, LISTERINE®, JOHNSON’S®, and BAND-AID®—that you already know and love. Science is our passion; care is our talent. Our global team of ~22,000 people operates in a workplace culture where every voice matters, and every contribution is appreciated. We are passionate about insights, innovation, and committed to delivering the best products to our customers. With expertise and empathy, being a Kenvuer means having the power to impact millions of people every day.

About the Role

The External Manufacturing Make team drives cost, quality, customer service, and delivery through a group of External Manufacturers for the Essential and Skin Health businesses as part of Kenvue. The Make Excellence team is responsible for establishing and achieving specific support processes and programs to facilitate flawless execution of all key operational metrics in the NA External Manufacturing Make area. This role leads cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment, focusing on driving Agility, Quality, and Cost Improvement Projects (CIPs) to lower total product cost, improve quality, and enhance customer responsiveness. It also involves leading large-scale digitization, automation, and network projects.

Location: North America, United States, New Jersey, Summit. Work Location: Hybrid.

Responsibilities

• Develop and advance digital performance management and drive efficiency in External Manufacturing through automation.
• Lead large-scale network improvement projects to improve cost, quality, and service.
• Define and execute large-scale continuous improvement programs across multiple sites to enhance operational metrics in cost, quality, and customer service.
• Facilitate network performance reviews with the ability to deliver new product launches.
• Manage continuous improvement programs and timelines to meet deadlines and ensure business benefit realization.
• Scope, prepare, and lead kaizen events to develop solutions for targeted challenges and drive implementation of future state solutions as part of Kenvue Operational Excellence.
• Act as a change agent for continuous improvement strategies and activities.
• Develop and administer training programs to teach lean tools and continuous improvement initiatives to the External Manufacturing Team.
• Coach, mentor, and train team members on Kenvue Operational Excellence best practices.
• Support external manufacturing site performance improvement across key sites.
• Provide training, support, and advisement to cross-functional business partners to ensure project launch success.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project execution, reduce project costs, and increase operational efficiencies.
• Support the implementation of network strategy decisions to consolidate, onboard, or expand the network of external manufacturing sites.
• Coordinate and lead root cause analysis, risk mitigation plans, and solution identification with internal and external business partners.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of related experience in any of the following areas: Supply Chain/Operations, Contract Manufacturing, Internal Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain Sourcing, Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, and/or Supply Planning.
• Experience working with high-volume manufacturing operations in a GMP environment is required.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, scoping, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven experience working with and implementing Lean manufacturing principles.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with internal and external business partners to meet tactical and strategic business needs.
• Demonstrated effectiveness leading and influencing cross-functional project teams.
• Prior knowledge of advanced planning systems such as ERP, MRP, and/or SAP.
• Experience with Six Sigma/Process Excellence tools, training, and/or certification.
• Prior experience establishing and monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Ability to travel 25% to support kaizen process improvement events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge, proficiency, and practical experience in manufacturing, automation, data analytics, AI, and programming analytics software (such as PowerBI).
• Experience working with Consumer-Packaged Goods or OTC-type products and experience working with External Manufacturing and/or Supplier Management.
• Project Management Training and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
• Black Belt Certification in Lean or Six Sigma.
• Experience with Six Sigma/Process Excellence tools, training, and/or certification.

Pay

Annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges from $124,100.00 to $175,200.00. This takes into account work location, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level, and other job-related factors.

Benefits

• Competitive benefit package.
• Paid company holidays, paid vacation, and volunteer time.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Kenvuer Impact Networks.

*This list could vary based on location/region. Total Rewards at Kenvue include salary, bonus (if applicable), and benefits.