Senior Director, Continuous Optimization

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Continuous Optimization will lead the systematic identification, quantification, prioritization, and implementation of operational improvement opportunities across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuous Optimization Leadership

• Own and manage the company’s continuous optimization program
• Develop and maintain a value creation pipeline
• Partner with senior leaders to identify areas of operational friction
• Translate broad business challenges into structured optimization initiatives

• Partnership with the Office of Strategic Execution

• Work closely with the Office of Strategic Execution
• Ensure optimization initiatives are aligned with enterprise priorities
• Coordinate with the Office of Strategic Execution on initiative governance
• Ensure optimization efforts are integrated into the company’s broader execution rhythm
• Partner with the Office of Strategic Execution to help move approved opportunities into structured implementation plans

• Lead structured operational deep dives
• Facilitate cross-functional working sessions
• Produce executive-ready findings
• Maintain a regular cadence of optimization reviews

• Serve as the facilitator and execution catalyst
• Coordinate across functions to remove barriers
• Support initiative owners in developing implementation plans
• Establish a disciplined follow-through process

• Identify AI, automation, analytics, and digital practices
• Evaluate and replicate proven AI-enabled plays
• Create visibility into successful AI and digital use cases

• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, standard work, process control, and other operational excellence tools
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and inefficiencies
• Develop repeatable frameworks and metrics

• Identify opportunities for cross-selling, shared infrastructure, and process standardization
• Work with Finance to validate value estimates and track realized impact

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Technology, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in operations, transformation, continuous improvement, management consulting, business optimization, or a related function
• Experience leading operational improvement initiatives in a live operating environment
• Strong understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, operational excellence, process improvement, and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Experience facilitating cross-functional initiatives involving senior leaders, functional experts, operators, finance partners, technology teams, and execution or transformation offices
• Strong financial acumen, including the ability to build business cases, estimate value, validate savings, and track realized impact
• Experience using data, analytics, dashboards, automation, or digital tools to assess performance and identify improvement opportunities
• Excellent executive communication skills, including the ability to produce concise, insight-driven presentations and recommendations

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a management consulting firm, internal consulting group, transformation office, or private equity operating team
• Experience identifying and scaling proven practices across business units, regions, service lines, or operating functions
• Experience with AI-enabled business tools, process mining, workflow automation, RPA, advanced analytics, or digital transformation initiatives
• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• PMP, Prosci, Agile, or other transformation/change management certification is a plus
• Experience in multi-site, service-based, infrastructure, facilities, industrial, field operations, logistics, or asset-heavy environments is highly relevant