Operational Excellence Leader (CI Manager)

Operational Excellence Lead

As an Operational Excellence Lead at our Middletown, Delaware manufacturing plant, you will report directly to the Plant Manager and lead continuous improvement initiatives while owning the site's High Performance Team (HPT) program. This role is fully onsite in a high-volume, 24/7 union facility and combines operational excellence, cost savings delivery, and HPT program execution. You will play a critical role in driving plant performance, ensuring accountability across all shifts, and supporting leadership in achieving operational targets.

Identify operational performance gaps and lead the development and execution of continuous improvement strategies across the plant.

Deliver approximately $300K in annual hard savings through initiatives focused on OEE, productivity, scrap reduction, and cost optimization.

Own and administer the HPT (High Performance Team) program, ensuring scorecards, metrics, and meetings are accurate, consistent, and executed across all shifts.

Support the Plant Manager with performance reporting, analytics, and operational insights to drive informed decision-making.

Facilitate and lead cross-functional teams, holding supervisors and leaders accountable for continuous improvement execution.

Drive adoption of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC methodologies to improve plant performance and standardization.

Partner with supervisors and leadership to strengthen engagement, communication, and execution of HPT initiatives.

Develop and enhance data and analytics capabilities, supporting Industry 4.0 initiatives such as MES and predictive analytics.

Promote and sustain a culture of continuous improvement within a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.

Operate effectively across shifts, supporting a 24/7 production environment and maintaining strong visibility on the plant floor.

Required:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related field with hands-on plant experience

35+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated leadership responsibility.

Proven experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a plant setting (Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC).

Demonstrated ability to lead and influence both hourly workforce and plant leadership.

Strong analytical and systems proficiency (e.g., Power BI, CI tracking tools, or similar platforms).

Ability to operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with high accountability.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey expectations across all levels of the organization.

Preferred:

Background in engineering, maintenance, or operations leadership roles.

Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment operating a 24/7 schedule.

Experience owning or supporting structured team-based programs (e.g., HPT, engagement, or CI initiatives).

Demonstrated success delivering measurable cost savings and productivity improvements.

Experience presenting to large groups and translating operational data into actionable insights.

Strong project management skills with the ability to execute independently in a lean team environment.

What you get:

• Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching all starting on date of hire
• Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts
• Parental and caregiver leave programs
• All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
• Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership
• HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full-service cafeteria and workout facility
• Clarios has been recognized as one of 2026's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction.

Who we are: Clarios is the force behind the world's most recognizable car battery brands, powering vehicles from leading automakers like Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. With 18,000 employees worldwide, we develop, manufacture, and distribute energy storage solutions while recovering, recycling, and reusing up to 99% of battery materialssetting the standard for sustainability in our industry. At Clarios, we're not just making batteries; we're shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Join our mission to innovate, push boundaries, and make a real impact. Discover your potential at Clarioswhere your power meets endless possibilities.

Veterans/Military Spouses: We value the leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise developed through military service. At Clarios, those capabilities thrive in an environment built on grit, ingenuity, and passionwhere you can grow your career while helping to power progress worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please apply. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristics protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to not discriminating against any applicant or employee based on these protected statuses. We will also take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, and all characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report. We want you to know your rights because EEO is the law.

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