Operational Excellence Manager

If you are looking for a diverse opportunity to continue your Operational Excellence career this may be the role for you! Are you a servant leader who is collaborative, consultative and brings a sense of urgency to your work? Pelican Energy Partners is a private equity firm focused on the nuclear industry supply chain. We own and actively support a portfolio of small-to-mid-sized companies - our 'PortCos' - through operational improvement, culture development, and strategic growth initiatives. About the Role Our Operational Excellence (OpEx) function is a critical value driver, embedded at the fund level and available to all portfolio companies. The Operational Excellence Manager is a newly created, hands‑on role designed to scale our OpEx capability across the portfolio. You will serve as the execution arm of the OpEx function, deploying Lean/Six Sigma tools, driving process improvements, and developing sustainable OpEx cultures at our portfolio companies. You will work directly on-site at our PortCos, partnering with plant managers, operations leaders, and front‑line teams to deliver measurable, lasting results. Success in this role means portfolio companies increasingly pull you in - not because they are told to, but because they see the value you create. Responsibilities Lean & Process Improvement Execution Quality Improvement & NQA-1 Support Lean Training & Culture Development Operational Baseline Development Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in applying Lean manufacturing tools Required Skills Proficiency in core Lean tools: VSM, 5S, Kaizen facilitation, MDI/daily management, standard work, root cause analysis Experience working in industrial, manufacturing, or energy sector environments Strong interpersonal and coaching skills - ability to build trust quickly with plant-level teams Willingness and ability to travel at least 50% to portfolio company sites (primarily across the US) Self‑starter who thrives working autonomously with minimal supervision in a fast‑paced PE environment Preferred Skills Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification Experience in nuclear, defense, or highly regulated industries; familiarity with NQA-1 quality program requirements is a strong plus Experience implementing digital tools in manufacturing environments (ERP, MES, QMS software such as Tulip or QT9) Experience in a private equity or multi‑site operations role Project management skills - ability to run multiple concurrent improvement projects across 2-3 portfolio companies Pay range and compensation package Competitive compensation Bonus opportunity Equal Opportunity Statement We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr