Sr Manager Operational Excellence

Sr. Operational Excellence Manager Location - Can be based in Bedford, Pa, Asheboro, NC, or Orwell, OH Travel - Role will require travel up to 50% The Sr. Operational Excellence Manager is responsible for managing plant operational excellence personnel and leading continuous improvement initiatives across multiple sites in the region. The role implements strategies, frameworks, and methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and optimize performance at the multi‑plant scale. Collaboration with site management and cross‑functional teams is essential to identify improvement opportunities, establish best practices, and foster a culture of operational excellence. Key Responsibilities

LEAN NETWORK COMPETENCES

Develop the lean competences of regional sites and help them become autonomous in continuous improvement management. Support Plant/Site Managers, Production Managers, and Plant/Site OpEx Managers to understand and apply lean strategies and tools. Support production supervisors to respect standards and perform improvement roles. Ensure the Plant/Site OpEx Manager network meets required levels of success and manage the network, including annual appraisals and training plans.

LEAN STRATEGIES

Deploy global lean strategies and associated standards, methodologies, and tools in responsible sites/plants. Work closely with regional manufacturing directors, Plant/Site Managers, and OpEx managers to define priorities, action plans, and approaches. Ensure lean rules are considered in new projects at the right time. Validate site deployment plans against global directives and support smart factory development. Monitor regular presence on each site to ensure alignment with appropriate priorities. Serve as an agent of regional lean culture change. Help identify opportunities for SQDCIP improvement.

LEAN GENBA ACTIVITIES

Diagnose lean methodologies and tools and conduct on‑job training at sites. Collaborate with site-level OpEx managers to drive Kaizen workshop execution and monitor progress. Coach Plant/Site operation teams, including Managers, Production Managers, and OpEx managers, on lean training, workshops, and coaching. Ensure consistency, share best practices, and facilitate knowledge transfer across locations. Coach Plant/ Site Managers on lean process implementation and monitor detailed genba deployment.

LEAN RESULTS

Participate in defining lean budget guidelines. Establish performance metrics and monitor progress toward improvement goals. Analyze data and reports from each site to identify trends, concerns, and opportunities. Report performance updates to senior management and provide decision‑making insights. Challenge the budget, lean‑related financial indicators, and validate OEE improvement actions. Ensure accurate regional lean reporting and key operational metrics. Produce lean mission reports within three working days after site visits.

LEAN CONTRIBUTION

Promote standardization of OpEx practices and processes across the region. Facilitate sharing of best practices, success stories, and lessons learned. Maintain a repository of tools, templates, and guidelines supporting continuous improvement. Implement change management and stakeholder engagement to adopt lean practices. Communicate benefits and impact of improvement initiatives and guide through change. Contribute to the improvement of global lean standards and external benchmarking. Participate in global lean workshops, committees, and working groups. Contribute to selected global lean initiatives upon request.

SITE SUPPORT DURING OPERATION CRISIS

Provide support to crisis sites via task‑force working groups. Assist in troubleshooting, building progress roadmaps, and driving critical workshops. Requirements Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in STEM or Industrial Engineering. 6‑Sigma Greenbelt or Blackbelt is a plus. At least 10 years of demonstrated success in manufacturing, quality, engineering, lean/6‑sigma, and/or supply‑chain experience. Knowledge and practice experience of the following tools: Strong leadership, communication, teaching, and coaching skills. 5S and visual controls. Standard work. OEE and time study. Muda hunting. Pull system / Kanban.

SMED.

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