Operations Excellence, Sr Manager

Position Description Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Director, the Operations Excellence, Sr Manager serves as a regional CI leader with accountability for driving continuous improvement strategy, governance, and results. The Operations Excellence, Sr Manager is responsible for auditing, coaching, coordinating, and sustaining CI initiatives across multiple manufacturing plants. Partnering with the Corporate CI team, Plant Leadership, and Maintenance teams, this role monitors, audits, coaches, and drives the strategic deployment of CI strategies and best practices to enhance operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and overall plant performance. The CI Manager evaluates the organization’s operational systems at a regional level to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with organizational standards. This role requires a strong Lean background and the ability to influence change across multiple sites while supporting regional operational objectives and standardization initiatives. Essential Job Functions Adhere to and ensure compliance with all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and PPE requirements across the assigned region. Adhere to and ensure compliance with food quality and food safety as per the standard(s) provided by corporate, customer, or governing bodies (e.g., SQF). Audit, evaluate, and coach Continuous Improvement (CI) strategies aligned with company goals, providing regional oversight while collaborating with Plant Leadership, Corporate CI, and Maintenance teams. Lead, facilitate, and coach Kaizen events for high‑impact regional initiatives and complex cross‑site opportunities to drive sustainable improvements in safety, quality, labor efficiency, yield, and maintenance effectiveness. Train and mentor employees and plant leadership teams in Lean methodologies, including 5S, SMED, Centerlining, PdM, RCA, and Standard Work to foster a culture of continuous improvement and consistent application across sites. Identify and implement process improvements that enhance equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and waste reduction while ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and FDA regulations. Maintain management system evaluation logs, areas of opportunity, and improvement logs. Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational management systems, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement across the region. Lead the implementation and sustainment of the Refresco Management System (RMS) across multiple sites. Champion best practice sharing and continuous improvement through cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, and CI teams. Facilitate critical CI Kaizen events, focusing on downtime reduction, equipment reliability, and waste elimination. Partner with plant leadership to enhance workplace safety, energy efficiency, and material waste reduction through structured improvement initiatives. Required Skills Hands‑on experience deploying production management systems and lean methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and Visual Management to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Demonstrated success in implementing and sustaining cultural, operational, and maintenance improvements through structured change management. Skilled in planning, leading, and coaching Kaizen events to drive continuous improvement, asset reliability, and operational excellence. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Windows) with the ability to quickly adapt to new software applications; SAP Maintenance Module experience preferred. Comprehensive understanding of SQF standards, OSHA, and maintenance best practices, with a strong commitment to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Ability to analyze maintenance and operational KPIs to drive data‑driven decisions that enhance equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize costs. Experience in teaching, coaching, and applying structured problem‑solving methodologies, such as 5‑Why, Fishbone Analysis, and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), to eliminate recurring issues. Strong capability in collaborating with cross‑functional teams to integrate CI strategies, ensuring alignment across departments. Willingness to adjust work hours or shifts as needed based on production, maintenance, and operational demands. Proactive in identifying, prioritizing, and executing maintenance and CI opportunities with a sense of urgency to improve safety, quality, and equipment uptime. Competencies Leadership – Foster a culture of empowerment by building relationships based on trust, leading courageously on a day‑to‑day basis, and inspiring growth with a clear and ambitious vision that guides the collective effort toward success. Independence & Accountability – Take ownership of responsibilities, effectively prioritize multiple assignments, and work independently to drive results with minimal supervision. Organization & Time Management – Maintain strong organizational skills to manage competing deadlines, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness under pressure. Communication & Collaboration – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Adaptability & Resilience – Thrive in dynamic environments by embracing change, demonstrating flexibility, and maintaining focus in fast‑paced, evolving work settings. Education and Experience Bachelor’s Degree required in an engineering field or related field preferred. 5+ years in Continuous Improvement / Lean roles. Experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies (e.g., Lean), with a proven ability to drive reliability and efficiency improvements. Strong leadership capabilities in a fast‑paced production environment required. Working Conditions Work Schedule – Weekdays, weekends, afternoon, evenings, overnight, and holidays may be required. Work Environment – Operating in a fast‑paced production plant with numerous moving parts. Noise levels require hearing protection and temperatures can be very hot and/or relatively cold. Visual/Sensory – This position requires attention to detail, requiring attention with one or two senses at a time. Mental Stress – There is pronounced pressure from deadlines, project management, accuracy, or similar demands. Travel Requirements Travel anticipated: Up to 80%. Other Duties This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Benefits Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance Short‑term disability and long‑term disability Pet Insurance Legal Benefits 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match 12 Paid Holidays Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Well‑being Benefit Discount and Total Reward Programs Equal Opportunity Employer Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Refresco