Operational Excellence Supervisor

Who We Are Thank you for your interest in Mueller Water Products, Inc. For more than 165 years, Mueller Water Products, Inc. has been building the future of water infrastructure. From lifesaving fire protection to data intelligence, we are committed to developing products and solutions that help cities and utilities deliver clean, safe drinking water to hundreds of millions of people across North America. Our purpose is to connect communities to water, life’s most essential resource, with exceptional, people solutions and products. Behind that purpose is a dedicated team, united by our shared values of respect, integrity, trust, inclusion and safety. With a vision to be the leader in water infrastructure solutions—solving challenges, enriching lives and safeguarding the future—we are making a positive impact that will last for generations. By joining Mueller, you become part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence and innovation, working collaboratively to achieve meaningful results. We champion our people because when they succeed, our communities thrive. We invite you to learn more about career opportunities with us and consider submitting your application. Operational Excellence Supervisor Position Summary Mueller Water Products is a leading manufacturer of flow control products for the water and gas distribution industries. Our manufacturing commitment helps ensure that one of the world's most precious resources lean drinking water reaches millions of people every day. The Operational Excellence Supervisor leads the facility's Operational Excellence function and is responsible for developing the OPEX team and delivering measurable, sustainable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity and Capacity. This position leads Mechanical Engineers and Lean People and partners closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, EHS and other functions to improve manufacturing performance, eliminate waste and variation, strengthen processes, reduce cost, and build organizational capability. The Operational Excellence Supervisor is a key change leader within the facility, responsible for establishing priorities, developing people, leading improvement initiatives and ensuring improvements are implemented, measured, financially validated and sustained. Primary Responsibilities Leadership & Organizational Development Lead, develop, coach, and hold accountable Mechanical Engineers and Lean People to achieve individual, team and plant objectivesEstablish clear priorities, expectations, goals and performance measures for the OPEX teamBuild the technical, leadership and problem-solving capability of engineers, Lean People, supervisors and production employeesDevelop a culture of ownership, accountability, employee involvement, and continuous improvementDevelop talent and succession capability within the OPEX organizationBuild strong working relationships with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, EHS, and other functional leadersLead through influence and collaboration while maintaining accountability for commitments and results Operational Excellence & Business Performance Develop and execute the facility's Operational Excellence strategy and improvement roadmap in alignment with the Manufacturing Manager and business objectivesIdentify and prioritize the facility's improvement portfolio based on business impact, urgency, risk, resources and expected returnLead initiatives that improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, Capacity and customer satisfactionIdentify and eliminate waste, bottlenecks, variation, defects, downtime and non-value-added activitiesLead Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, DMAIC, A3, PDCA and other structured improvement initiativesLead Value Stream Mapping and future-state planning to improve material and information flowEnsure improvements are translated into standard work, daily management practices and sustainable operating processesMaintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor through Gemba walks, direct observation, data analysis and engagement with employees and leaders Cost Reduction & Financial Improvement Identify and lead initiatives that reduce manufacturing cost and improve financial performanceEstablish cost-reduction opportunities through labor productivity, scrap and rework reduction, material utilization, downtime reduction, cycle-time improvement, capacity improvement, inventory reduction and process optimizationDevelop business cases and financial justification for significant improvement and capital projectsEstablish project baselines and quantify expected financial benefits before implementation where appropriatePartner with Finance and Manufacturing leadership to validate savings, cost avoidance, productivity improvements, and other financial benefitsEnsure cost savings and productivity improvements are sustained and reflected in ongoing performanceMaintain an improvement pipeline that includes both operational and financially significant opportunities Daily Management & Performance Management Establish and strengthen daily management systems that enable teams and leaders to identify performance gaps and take timely corrective actionEstablish and maintain visual management and performance-review processes that make abnormalities, priorities and accountability visiblePartner with Manufacturing leaders to strengthen Tier meetings, leader standard work, escalation processes and follow-throughMonitor key performance indicators and ensure corrective actions are assigned, executed and sustainedUse facts, data and direct observation to identify the highest-value opportunities for improvementCommunicate plant performance, risks, opportunities and improvement progress to leadership Manufacturing Engineering & Process Improvement Lead the engineering team in improving manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, throughput, cycle time, capacity, labor productivity and process capabilityEvaluate processes and equipment to identify opportunities for simplification, automation, improved utilization and increased reliabilityLead or support manufacturing equipment specification, procurement, installation, commissioning and process validationDevelop and manage capital improvement projects, including scope, justification, implementation and verification of resultsPartner with Operations and Maintenance to identify and eliminate equipment and process constraintsEnsure manufacturing process changes are effectively implemented, documented and sustained Quality & Structured Problem Solving Partner with Quality and Manufacturing to improve Quality at the Source and first-time-right manufacturingLead structured root-cause investigations and corrective actions for significant safety, quality, delivery, cost and productivity problemsUtilize data and statistical methods to reduce process variation and improve process capabilityApply appropriate problem-solving and risk-management methodologies based on the nature and complexity of the problemDevelop and implement effective process controls, error-proofing and preventive actionEnsure process improvements address safety, quality, regulatory and customer requirementDrive prevention of recurring problems rather than relying solely on corrective action Standard Work & Process Control Develop and maintain standard work, work instructions, process sheets, work standards and other manufacturing documentationEnsure process changes are effectively communicated, implemented and incorporated into standard workEstablish methods to verify adherence to standard work and identify opportunities for improvementDevelop visual standards and controls that make abnormal conditions and process gaps readily visibleEnsure completed improvements are transferred into normal operating practices and daily management Project & Change Management Manage multiple improvement and engineering projects while balancing priorities, resources, timelines and business needsEstablish project objectives, milestones, responsibilities, expected results and measures of successIdentify and remove project roadblocks and escalate issues appropriatelyLead organizational change by engaging employees, addressing barriers and ensuring adoption of new processesVerify operational and financial results and ensure successful projects are sustained after implementation Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations or a related technical disciplineFive or more years of progressive experience in manufacturing, engineering, Operational Excellence, continuous improvement or a related fieldDemonstrated experience leading manufacturing improvement initiatives and delivering measurable operational and financial resultsDemonstrated leadership experience with the ability to develop people and hold others accountableStrong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence principlesStrong problem-solving, analytical, and data-analysis capabilitiesExperience applying structured problem-solving and continuous-improvement methodologiesAbility to lead cross-functional teams and influence employees and leaders at all levels of an organizationStrong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation and interpersonal communication skills.Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a changing manufacturing environment Preferred Qualifications Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certificationExperience leading an Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement or Manufacturing Engineering teamExperience in high-mix, medium-volume manufacturingExperience in metal machining, fabrication, casting, molding, assembly or similar manufacturing environmentsExperience with capital equipment projects and manufacturing equipment procurementExperience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing dataExperience with CAD systems such as AutoCAD or SolidWorksPMP or other recognized project-management certification is a plusExperience with rubber injection and compression molding is a plus Lean & Manufacturing Knowledge Strong working knowledge of appropriate Lean and manufacturing methodologies, including: Lean Six Sigma and KaizenValue Stream Mapping5S and visual managementStandard workOEESMEDTPMSPC and process capabilityRoot-cause analysisDMAIC / PDCA / A3 / 8DPFMEA and process risk analysisPoka-Yoke / mistake-proofingBottleneck and constraint analysisMaterial and information flowWaste elimination and process optimization The successful candidate is not expected to be an expert in every methodology listed above. The expectation is the individual can select and effectively apply the appropriate tools and methods to solve business and manufacturing problems. Safety & Compliance Demonstrate visible leadership and personal commitment to a safe working environmentIncorporate safety and ergonomic considerations into process, equipment and continuous-improvement activitiesPartner with EHS and Manufacturing to identify and eliminate safety risksEnsure process changes comply with applicable company policies, regulatory requirements and quality-system requirementsPromote a culture in which employees are expected and empowered to identify and address safety concerns Leadership Expectations The Successful Candidate Will Lead with accountability, integrity, respect and a continuous-improvement mindsetDevelop people and organizational capability rather than simply solving problems for othersUse facts, data and direct observation to drive decisionsCommunicate clearly and effectively with both hourly and salaried employeesInfluence across organizational boundaries and effectively manage difficult conversationsBalance immediate operational needs with sustainable long-term improvement Measures of Success Success in this position will be demonstrated through measurable and sustainable improvement in: Safety performanceQuality and first-pass yieldScrap and reworkThroughput and capacityCycle timeOEE and equipment effectivenessLabor productivityOn-time deliveryMaterial and information flowManufacturing costCost reduction and cost avoidanceVerified productivity savingsProcess capability and variationImprovement-project execution and sustainabilityOPEX team performance and capability developmentEmployee engagement and continuous-improvement capabilityStandard-work adoption and process disciplineVerified financial and operational benefits Physical Requirements & Work Environment Ability to work effectively in both office and industrial/manufacturing environmentsAbility to stand and/or walk for extended periodsAbility to perform repetitive gross or fine motor movements using hands, wrists and fingersAbility to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, steel-toed or metatarsal-guarded footwear, hearing protection and other PPE as requiredAbility to communicate effectively with employees and leaders in person, by telephone and through computer-based communicationAbility to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or move objects weighing up to 25 poundsAbility to occasionally reach overhead or at or below shoulder levelAbility to occasionally stoop, crouch or kneel as required to observe manufacturing processes Equal Opportunity Mueller Water Products is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, performance, business needs, and other applicable lawful criteria. Other Compensation & Benefits Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with 5% Company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability benefits, vacation, 100% paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, student debt retirement matching, well-being program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and more. Equal Employment Opportunity Mueller Water Products, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries, are equal employment employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression), age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In keeping with its obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law, Mueller will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or interview process, please contact a member of the Human Resources Department. Notice Of E-Verify Participation This employer participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. The system compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This notice applies to all applicants and employees, including those hired to work remotely. Upon enrollment, employers participating in E-Verify are required to clearly display the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters in English and Spanish, both which may be accessed at the links provided below. IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) Accommodation If you require accommodations during any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are happy to work with you to meet your needs.