Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Lead

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world's transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

As an Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Specialist within the manufacturing division, you will operate directly on the production floor to implement, refine, and maintain the Sila Production System. You are an adaptable professional who partners effectively with engineers, shift supervisors, and managers to turn operational data into practical shop-floor advancements. On a daily basis, you will manage high-impact DMAIC initiatives, support the tiered Daily Management System, and audit standardized operations to eliminate inefficiencies within a continuous 24/7 environment. You will serve as a technical mentor for frontline teams and supervisors, driving a culture of problem-solving and psychological safety while independently resolving complex process challenges.

• Standardization and Auditing: Collaborate with plant operations to optimize, review, and audit Standardized Work and visual factory controls, eliminating tribal knowledge across all shifts.
• Daily Management Systems: Facilitate and mature the tiered Daily Management System (DMS) and shift huddle boards (SQDCP) to ensure frontline issues are quickly escalated and resolved.
• Continuous Improvement Projects: Lead cross-functional, high-impact tactical projects using Six Sigma (DMAIC) methodologies, Kaizen events, and Value Stream Mapping to minimize process variation and waste.
• Financial & Productivity Tracking: Monitor the site's productivity funnel and collaborate with Finance to document and validate cost-savings that drive COGS reduction.
• Frontline Coaching: Act as a technical mentor to production superintendents and shift leads, shifting the plant culture from reactive firefighting to proactive daily management.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, production planning, or manufacturing engineering (required field).
• Background: Proven background operating within a highly regulated or complex manufacturing environment, such as the chemical, automotive, or aerospace sectors.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical) or Supply Chain Management.
• Certifications: Active Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification with a demonstrated history of successful project delivery.
• Technical Tools: Proficiency in using data analytics or visualization software (such as Power BI, Minitab, Tableau, or SQL) to guide strategic operational decisions.

• Wear personal protective equipment including a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toe shoes.
• Walk long distances between facility buildings and remain stationary for extended periods.
• Reach low shelves, access items on the floor, and climb stairs or containment walls.
• Handle various material quantities precisely and repetitively.
• Operate computers, laptops, and standard office equipment in a fixed location.

Regular Shift: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm

The starting base pay for this role is between $95,000 and $120,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila's competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.