Operational Excellence Leader

Operational Excellence Leader Full Time Operations Columbia, MD, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 1959 SUMMARY Havtech is seeking a dynamic, technically exceptional, and highly influential Operations Excellence Leader to accelerate performance across our Service, Supply (aftermarket and parts), Controls, and Contracting business lines. This newly created role will serve as a catalyst for organizational transformation - driving continuous improvement, operational alignment, and scalable processes that enhance customer experience and business performance. This leader will combine deep Lean Sigma expertise with the communication style and presence of a commercial leader. They will work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with executives, business unit leaders, and frontline teams to identify high‑value opportunities, coach teams, influence change, and embed a culture of operational excellence across Havtech. As the function grows, this role will expand to support enterprise‑wide initiatives and shape Havtech’s long‑term operational strategy. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other functions may be assigned. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Identify and prioritize high‑impact improvement opportunities across Service, Supply, Controls, and Contracting business lines. Lead cross‑functional Kaizen events, rapid improvement workshops, and structured problem‑solving sessions. Develop and deploy standardized processes, SOPs, and operating mechanisms that improve efficiency, quality, and consistency. Apply advanced Lean/CI tools—Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, 5S, Kanban, Standard Work, Daily Management—to reduce waste and improve performance. Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance metrics to track progress and sustain improvements. Change Management & Organizational Adoption Lead Havtech’s transition to Lean Sigma practices over an 18–24 month adoption timeline. Lead initiatives expected to generate approximately $1.5M in annual cost savings. Apply structured change management methodologies (e.g., ADKAR, Kotter) to guide teams through transformation. Develop stakeholder engagement plans to ensure alignment, buy‑in, and sustained adoption. Support and help execute communication strategies that clearly articulate purpose, progress, and outcomes of improvement initiatives. Partner with leadership to build organizational readiness and reinforce new behaviors. Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Leadership Partner with senior leadership to align operational priorities with business goals and strategic initiatives. Serve as a trusted advisor to business line leaders, helping shape operational strategy and execution. Facilitate collaboration across teams to drive alignment, eliminate silos, and promote shared best practices. Influence without direct authority, engaging effectively from the executive team to the front line. Process Analysis & Optimization Assess current workflows and identify inefficiencies across service operations, warehouse processes, inventory management, and digital workflows. Design and implement solutions that improve accuracy, speed, and customer experience. Support initiatives that enhance field productivity, supply chain responsiveness, and operational reliability. Data, Reporting & Insights Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership. Support the development of reporting tools and dashboards that enhance visibility and decision‑making. Drive process automation through AI to increase efficiency and drive operational efficiencies. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but will lead through influence. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field preferred. 5+ years of experience in operations, continuous improvement, or process optimization; experience in manufacturing, service, or HVAC‑related industries preferred. Lean Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt + strongly preferred). Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional projects and influencing without direct authority. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, ability to engage effectively with the Executive leadership team to the front line. Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously with strong attention to detail. High integrity, sound judgment, and a strong bias for action. A “commercial mindset,” comfortable being visible in the business, building relationships, and driving adoption of new ways of working. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. #J-18808-Ljbffr