Sr. Operational Excellence Leader

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORGuerbet is seeking an experienced Senior Operational Excellence (OPEX) Leader to drive sustainable performance improvement and Lean transformation at our Raleigh manufacturing site.This highly visible role will partner across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and EHS to identify and deliver high-impact improvement opportunities aligned with site strategy and business objectives.Using Lean Six Sigma methodologies and Guerbet's Transformation Playbook, you will lead complex improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, yield, waste reduction, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). You will also play a key role in developing continuous improvement capabilities across the organization by coaching teams, facilitating structured problem solving, and helping embed a culture of Operational Excellence throughout the site.The ideal candidate is a hands-on Lean leader who combines deep pharmaceutical manufacturing experience with strong analytical, project leadership, change management, and coaching capabilities.YOUR ROLEOperational Excellence & Lean TransformationLead site-wide Operational Excellence initiatives using Lean Six Sigma, DMAIC, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kanban, root cause analysis, and other structured problem-solving methodologies.Assess current-state performance, identify improvement opportunities, and develop future-state solutions that deliver measurable and sustainable results.Lead multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously while maintaining alignment with site priorities and business objectives.Identify and address opportunities related to productivity, efficiency, yield, waste reduction, quality, service, and cost.Develop implementation plans with clear milestones, performance targets, resource requirements, and measures of success.Establish mechanisms to ensure improvements are sustained following implementation.Support site growth and operational scalability through application of Lean principles and transformation methodologies.Manufacturing Performance & Continuous ImprovementPartner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and EHS to identify and prioritize opportunities for operational improvement.Lead initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and manufacturing performance within filling and packaging operations.Develop and monitor KPIs that provide visibility into production, maintenance, and operational performance.Apply data-driven analysis and structured problem solving to identify performance gaps and underlying root causes.Provide Operational Excellence leadership during critical site performance challenges.Communicate significant risks, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities to OPEX and site leadership.Safety & QualityPartner with EHS by participating in and leading GEMBA walks and incorporating safety considerations into improvement activities.Ensure safety, quality, regulatory, and compliance requirements are embedded into Operational Excellence initiatives.Promote fact-based decision-making and disciplined problem solving throughout the organization.Strengthen organizational capabilities to achieve and sustain process quality and operational performance.Coach project teams on the appropriate application of Lean, Six Sigma, process-quality, and continuous-improvement tools.Project LeadershipLead complex site-level improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainability.Develop project plans, milestones, resource requirements, KPIs, and expected business outcomes.Coordinate cross-functional teams and remove barriers that could affect successful project execution.Monitor project performance and ensure initiatives are delivered against defined business objectives.Partner with stakeholders to ensure appropriate involvement, alignment, and accountability throughout project execution.Coaching, Capability Building & Change ManagementCoach and develop OPEX team members and cross-functional project teams through classroom instruction, hands-on workshops, and shop-floor engagement.Build Lean and continuous-improvement capabilities throughout the Raleigh site.Mentor teams in root cause analysis, DMAIC, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and other Lean problem-solving approaches.Model Lean leadership behaviors through a visible, hands-on presence within manufacturing operations.Partner with Change Management subject-matter experts to drive adoption and sustain new processes and ways of working.Help build a culture in which employees at all levels identify, evaluate, and act on opportunities for continuous improvement.Communication & CollaborationClearly communicate improvement strategies, project status, performance results, risks, and opportunities to site leadership and key stakeholders.Build strong working relationships across Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, and other site functions.Influence stakeholders without relying solely on direct authority.Facilitate cross-functional problem solving and help teams resolve barriers to implementation.Share applicable best practices and lessons learned with Operational Excellence partners across the broader organization.YOUR BACKGROUNDRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, Operational Excellence, or continuous improvement, including significant experience within the pharmaceutical industry.At least 5 years of senior leadership or management experience in a manufacturing or Operational Excellence environment.Expert knowledge and demonstrated application of Lean methodologies, including 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Kanban, and structured problem solving.Strong knowledge and practical application of Six Sigma and DMAIC methodologies.Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent demonstrated practitioner experience.Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional improvement projects that produced measurable operational results.Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPIs and performance measures, including OEE, productivity, yield, waste, cost, quality, and delivery.Strong project management, facilitation, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.Ability to coach teams and influence stakeholders across different organizational levels.Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Visio, and SharePoint.Preferred QualificationsMaster's degree or MBA.ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt.Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.Experience supporting pharmaceutical filling and/or packaging operations.Experience leading Lean transformation within a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.Demonstrated experience implementing and sustaining improvements in OEE, manufacturing productivity, yield, cost, or waste reduction.