Operational Excellence Manager

About the Role

Provides strategic leadership for operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost performance across manufacturing operations. Partners with plant and corporate leadership to develop sustainable improvement strategies, strengthen organizational capability, and drive measurable business results through standardized processes, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration. Operates with significant autonomy and broad cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence Leadership
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous evolution of the Operational Excellence System to achieve strategic business objectives.
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement that prioritizes safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost performance.
  • Align operational excellence initiatives with business priorities and organizational goals.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives that eliminate waste, improve process capability, and deliver measurable operational and financial results.
  • Facilitate focused improvement teams and Kaizen events that improve manufacturing performance and standardize best practices.
  • Identify operational losses through performance analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Performance Management
  • Establish and maintain key performance indicators that measure operational effectiveness and continuous improvement progress.
  • Analyze manufacturing performance data to prioritize improvement opportunities and drive informed business decisions.
  • Monitor project performance and validate operational and financial benefits.
• Business Partnership
  • Partner with manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, quality, supply chain, finance, and operations leaders to implement strategic improvement initiatives.
  • Influence stakeholders across all organizational levels to achieve alignment and successful execution of operational priorities.
  • Communicate improvement strategies, project status, and business outcomes to plant and corporate leadership.
• Organizational Capability
  • Develop organizational capability by coaching, mentoring, and training employees on operational excellence principles and improvement methodologies.
  • Build engagement and accountability through effective change leadership and knowledge sharing.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning across the organization.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience
  • Bachelor's degree (required).
  • 6+ years of manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement, automation, or related business experience.
  • 4+ years leading process improvement or operational excellence initiatives.
  • Master's degree (preferred).
  • Manufacturing operations experience (preferred).
  • Experience leading enterprise or multi-site operational excellence initiatives (preferred).
  • Project leadership experience (preferred).
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Knowledge of operational excellence and continuous improvement principles.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  • Ability to interpret operational performance metrics and drive business improvements.
  • Excellent leadership, facilitation, coaching, and organizational influence skills.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to build collaborative relationships across multiple business functions.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering measurable business results.
• Competencies
  • Drives Results – Delivers measurable operational improvements while maintaining focus on strategic business priorities.
  • Optimizes Work Processes – Continuously improves processes through disciplined analysis, standardization, and execution.
  • Strategic Mindset – Anticipates future business needs and aligns improvement initiatives with organizational strategy.
  • Collaborates – Builds strong partnerships across functions to achieve shared business objectives.
  • Develops Talent – Coaches and develops others to strengthen organizational capability and sustain continuous improvement.
  • Instills Trust – Builds confidence through integrity, accountability, and consistent execution.

Culture Fit

• You listen, learn, and evolve.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• You put safety first, always.
• You are passionate about collaboration, teamwork, and achieving shared goals.
• You believe in treating all people with respect, operating ethically, and growing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
• You are committed to improving our impact on local communities and creating positive experiences.

Pay

Posted Salary Range: USD $111,000.00 - USD $160,950.00 per year.

Role is eligible for a 14% annual incentive bonus, provided the business meets financial goals and the individual meets their performance goals, subject to plan administration guidelines.

Local candidates only; no relocation assistance available.