Senior Manager, Operational Excellence

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit .

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Relaxation rooms (based on location).
• Coffee and gelato bar (based on location).

In Fond du Lac (FDL) you get the full four-season experience – warm in the summer with highs reaching into the 80s and plenty of sunshine for golf, biking, camping and live music under the open sky, and brisk air in the winter with average temps in the 20s and ample snow for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and winter festivals. The greater FDL area (population 43,000) is easy to get around and roughly an hour drive to almost all major metros in the state (Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Cities/Green Bay). We’ve been rated “Top 100” in job growth among small U.S. metro areas. Additionally, our cost of living is 4% below the national average and you’ll pay 21% less for housing, rent and property taxes compared to the rest of the country. From wonderful educational partners (public and private K12 schools and three local colleges/universities), a plethora of things to do/see, and a vibrant business and commerce community… learn more about how you can call Fond du Lac, HOME!

Job Summary

Are you an influential leader who thrives on driving change, challenging the status quo, and bringing teams together around a shared vision? As the Senior Manager, Operational Excellence , you will lead enterprise-wide initiatives that improve productivity, equipment reliability, operational performance, and cost efficiency across our manufacturing network. This highly visible role requires a strong ability to influence leaders at all levels, facilitate meaningful conversations, and gain alignment on strategic priorities while championing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. You will serve as a key partner across Operations, Engineering, Technical Services, and Finance to build a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable business results.

• Lead enterprise-wide Operational Excellence initiatives that drive measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and operational performance.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of Operational Excellence professionals, building organizational capability and driving continuous improvement across the enterprise.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, OEE, and Zero Loss principles to identify opportunities, eliminate waste, and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Lead and evolve the Operations Rotational Program, developing future operations leaders through structured learning experiences, mentorship, and cross-functional exposure throughout the organization.

What you need to be considered for the role:

• 4 Year/Bachelor Degree in Engineering or related technical field required.
• Eight (8) or more years related proven experience in a similar role with a strong track record in leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with zero loss analysis and tools like Minitab, and in applying these methodologies effectively, particularly in the dairy industry.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the ability to influence and inspire technical and non-technical cross-functional teams and drive change at all levels of the organization.
• Effective in promoting and advocating for operational excellence principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and a proactive, results-oriented approach to overcoming challenges and driving continuous improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Manage multiple pursuits simultaneously; define and maintain focus on department objectives balanced with project and other department needs.
• Project management experience, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results within specified timelines and budgets.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana) and data analysis tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Tableau).
• Proficiency in process mapping and analysis tools/software (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, Process Flowcharts, Statistical Analysis Tools).
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local food and water regulations, including CFR, FSMA, the PMO and Bioterrorism Act.
• Possesses advanced knowledge and specialized understanding of technical concepts, principles, practices and procedures.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, preferably within manufacturing, logistics, or technology industries.
• Analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and considerable difficulty and determines solutions.
• Originality and ingenuity are often required.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office Suite.
• Ability / willingness to travel 60-80% of the time to Grande facilities across the Enterprise.

Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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