Operational Excellence Program Manager

Role Description

The Operational Excellence Program Manager is responsible for enabling and sustaining the organization’s Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and continuous improvement capabilities. This role serves as the central program owner for Operational Excellence training, certification governance, playbook content, and enterprise improvement initiatives.

• Partnering closely with Regional Operational Excellence leaders to ensure consistency, scalability, and effective administration of the company’s Operational Excellence framework.
• The ideal candidate is highly organized, a strong communicator, and passionate about building process improvement knowledge across the organization.

Program Management:

• Maintain and continuously improve Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training content for Lean Leader, the Op Ex portion of LEAD supervisor training, Sponsor Champion training, and Green Belt.
• Ensure consistent documentation, version control, and accessibility of training content.
• Serve as steward of the Op Ex Playbook and Op Ex Center of Excellence, including tools, templates, and standard methodologies.

Training and Capability Development:

• Coordinate logistics and deployment of LSS and Op Ex training programs.
• Support the selection, qualification, and onboarding of LSS trainers and internal coaches.
• Facilitate the growth of process improvement through workshops, learning sessions, and best practice sharing.
• Provide coordination and support for the Op Ex portion of the LEAD supervisor training to strengthen frontline continuous improvement capability.

Certification and Governance:

• Oversee and administer the LSS Green Belt and Black Belt certification process, including candidate tracking, documentation, and governance reviews.
• Maintain certification standards, evaluation criteria, and report on program effectiveness.
• Track and report on training participation, certifications, and capability development metrics.

Enterprise Initiative Support:

• Provide support for enterprise initiatives such as Igniting Growth/ WAVE and other improvement efforts focused on cost-to-serve, efficiency, and growth.
• Support engagement and culture-building initiatives, including the Courage to Care program.
• Help drive awareness and engagement in Operational Excellence programs through communications and success storytelling.

Program Coordination and Reporting:

• Maintain centralized tracking of improvement initiatives, training, and certifications.
• Develop and support dashboards and reports that provide visibility into Op Ex capability growth and impact.
• Partner with Regional Op Ex Managers, focusing on program coordination and sustainability rather than deep technical project execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operational excellence, process improvement, learning program management, or project/program coordination.
• Experience supporting training programs, workshops, or structured capability development initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work across all levels of the organization.
• Green Belt certification highly preferred or willing to obtain.

Requirements

• Minimum 50% travel.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k, and a variety of well-being resources for most full-time roles.
• Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Company Description

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.