OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE MANAGER

Summary

The Operational Excellence Manager is responsible for deploying the Trident Performance System (TPS) strategy and leveraging Lean Six Sigma manufacturing methodologies to drive process improvements supporting the SCUBA Program (Supply Chain Unlimited Business Acceleration). This role leads continuous improvement initiatives across multiple U.S. Value-Added locations, with a focus on safety, quality, cost, productivity, service, and employee engagement.

Essential Functions

• Leads Zero Loss Analysis, Lean Six Sigma projects, and Kaizen events across U.S. Value-Added plant locations
• Plans, facilitates, and ensures sustainment of Kaizen events, including pre-work, execution, and follow-through
• Identifies and prioritizes improvement projects in alignment with enterprise and plant-level business objectives
• Acts as a change agent to drive adoption of TPS and continuous improvement methodologies across operations
• Develops and maintains true-north performance metrics and reporting to track progress and impact
• Ensures delivery of SCUBA savings targets and other key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and training on Lean, Six Sigma, and TPM principles and tools
• Shares best practices across plants to promote standardization and operational excellence
• Powers partnerships with cross-functional teams (operations, supply chain, finance, HR, etc.) to drive enterprise-wide improvements
• Builds strong relationships and influences local teams to adopt and sustain continuous improvement practices
• Regularly works onsite to build strong team connections, collaborate across functions, and solve problems in real time.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of cross-functional operations and/or operational excellence (continuous improvement) experience
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, business, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience

Preferred Education & Experiences

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification (Black Belt preferred)
• Experience with SAP and Minitab
• Experience in food manufacturing or similar production environments
• Exposure to automation, machine learning, or AI applications in operations
• Experience improving or automating manual processes

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Demonstrated experience planning, facilitating, and delivering Kaizen events and Lean Six Sigma projects
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills with a structured, analytical mindset
• Excellent project management, facilitation, and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to influence at all levels
• Ability to lead change and drive adoption of new processes and systems
• Strong business acumen with understanding of operational and financial impact
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Ability to collaborate across functions and manage competing priorities

Work Environment

Work is performed in a variety of settings, including office environments and manufacturing facilities that may be loud, wet, and require personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Ability Requirements

- Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use hands for extended periods - Ability to climb stairs and ladders and walk long distances (approximately 200 meters) in plant environments - Ability to work in production environments requiring PPE - Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds

Work Authorizations

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.