Director, Operational Excellence

Role Description

Reporting to the Vice President, Operations for OPW, the Director, Operational Excellence will lead the development and execution of a global continuous improvement strategy, driving measurable business results across OPW’s operations. This role is responsible for embedding a culture of Operational Excellence, enabling performance improvement across Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC), and advancing standardized processes, capability building, and value stream optimization across the enterprise.

• Define and deploy OPW’s global Operational Excellence strategy aligned to business priorities and growth objectives.
• Identify, prioritize, and lead high-impact continuous improvement initiatives tied directly to operational and financial performance.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure effectiveness of CI initiatives, ensuring visibility, accountability, and sustained results.
• Serve as a thought leader and coach to operations leadership, fostering a culture of accountability, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor leaders across sites to strengthen execution rigor and drive SQDC performance.
• Build organizational capability through training, coaching, and development of Lean and Six Sigma skillsets, including Green and Black Belt programs.
• Champion and standardize Daily Management Systems, including visual management and tiered accountability processes.
• Lead training and implementation of core CI tools and methodologies, including:
  • Value Stream Mapping / Design
  • Standard Work
  • A3 Problem Solving
  • 5S and Visual Management
  • Plan for Every Part (PFEP)
  • Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP)
• Continuously assess and introduce additional tools and best practices to enhance operational performance.
• Lead large-scale, cross-functional transformation initiatives as a program leader and change agent.
• Partner with site leadership to develop and execute project plans, including scope, timelines, resources, and financial impact.
• Ensure successful implementation, knowledge transfer, and sustainment of improvements within operations teams.
• Partner with Dover corporate and OPW leadership to align on Operational Excellence priorities and secure resources to support execution.
• Act as a key liaison across global operations to ensure alignment, consistency, and sharing of best practices.
• Lead the development and execution of multi-year CI roadmaps, leveraging Value Stream Design to optimize footprint and workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5+ years of leadership experience in Operations and/or Continuous Improvement within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success driving measurable operational improvements and cultural transformation.
• Strong project and program management experience, with the ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Project); familiarity with PowerPoint and Visio preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 75%).

Requirements

• Influence & Leadership: Ability to lead through influence, build credibility, and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Change Leadership: Proven ability to drive cultural change and embed continuous improvement mindsets.
• Operational Acumen: Deep understanding of manufacturing operations and Lean principles.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed organization.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts and influence decision-making.
• Customer Focus: Strong internal and external customer orientation with a results-driven mindset.
• Learning Agility: Commitment to continuous learning and development, with formal Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred.

Benefits

• A 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Wellness programs
• Health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Company paid short-term disability and long-term disability
• Company paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• Supplemental employee and dependent life insurance
• Optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance
• Adoption, surrogacy, and fertility benefits and assistance
• Commuter benefits
• Parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leaves of absence
• Paid time off, including 11 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid vacation days beginning at 120 hours annually
• 24 paid sick leave hours annually or as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws
• Business travel services
• Employee discounts
• Employee assistance program that includes company paid counseling sessions and legal services