Vice President, Operational Excellence & Transformation

Job Description:Position SummaryNextpower is evolving from a solar tracker company into an integrated utility-scale energy technology platform spanning trackers, eBOS, foundations, power conversion, energy storage, robotics, and other adjacent solutions. As the company continues to grow through both organic expansion and acquisitions, operational complexity is increasing, creating the need for greater alignment, standardization, scalability, and execution across the enterprise.Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President, Operational Excellence & Transformation leads Nextpower's Operational Excellence Office, translating the company's strategic priorities into a disciplined portfolio of transformation initiatives that improve operational performance and enable scalable growth.The portfolio is centered on Operations—where the largest operational opportunities exist across manufacturing, supply chain, planning, procurement, quality, logistics, and field operations—while also leading cross-functional initiatives where business processes extend across Finance, Engineering, Sales, IT, HR, and other functions.This executive establishes program governance, deploys Lean and Kaizen principled programs, modernizes business processes through systems and automation, and develops organizational capability that delivers measurable improvements in customer experience, productivity, operating margin, working capital, and cash flow. Success is measured by financial results achieved through disciplined execution and continuous improvement – which can be financial, headcount, and speed of standard work based.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Portfolio LeadershipLead Nextpower's Operational Excellence Office (central PMO) as the enterprise center for strategic program management and continuous improvement.Translate corporate and COO priorities into a prioritized portfolio of operational and business transformation initiatives.Prioritize investments based on strategic alignment, financial impact, customer value, organizational capacity, and execution risk.Establish portfolio governance, executive steering committees, stage-gate reviews, resource planning, risk management, and executive reporting.Partner with executive leadership to remove organizational barriers and ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives.Operational Excellence & Business TransformationLead the redesign and simplification of core business processes to improve customer responsiveness, operational efficiency, scalability, and quality.Drive continuous improvement across Operations through Lean, Kaizen, standard work, visual management, structured problem solving, and value stream optimization.Lead cross-functional transformation initiatives where processes span multiple organizations, ensuring clear ownership, alignment, and accountability.Standardize operating practices while preserving appropriate flexibility across business units and acquired companies.Build sustainable operating disciplines that improve execution rather than relying on one-time improvement projects.Enterprise Systems & AutomationPartner with IT and business leaders to modernize business processes through enterprise systems, workflow automation, analytics, AI-enabled solutions, and digital technologies.Ensure process redesign and technology implementation are fully integrated so improvements become embedded in standard operating practices.Increase adoption and effective utilization of enterprise platforms, including Oracle and future technology investments.Eliminate manual, spreadsheet-driven work wherever practical through standardized digital workflows and automation.Improve operational visibility by establishing trusted data, common performance metrics, and standardized reporting.Operational Performance & Value RealizationDeliver Finance-validated improvements in operating margin, productivity, working capital, cost structure, and cash flow.Build disciplined benefit-tracking processes, including baselines, measurement methodologies, executive reporting, and Finance validation.Maintain a multi-year pipeline of strategic improvement opportunities aligned with the company's financial objectives.Ensure every major initiative has clear business ownership, measurable outcomes, and accountability for sustained results.Organizational Capability & Change LeadershipBuild and lead a high-performing Operational Excellence organization consisting of program managers, process improvement leaders, and business systems analysts.Develop Lean, Kaizen, project management, and problem-solving capabilities throughout the organization through coaching, training, and mentoring.Champion organizational change by building alignment, communicating the business rationale, and sustaining adoption following implementation.Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, respect for people, and data-driven decision-making.Qualifications15+ years of experience in operations excellenceStrong executive presence, financial acumen, strategic thinking, and organizational leadership skills.Proven ability to build high-performing organizations and influence leaders without direct reporting authority.Strong experience leading large cross-functional initiatives within complex manufacturing, industrial technology, energy, or engineered products organizations.Knowledge of Lean, Kaizen, Toyota Production System, Six Sigma, A3 thinking, PDCA, or comparable continuous improvement methodologies.Experience implementing enterprise business systems, digital transformation initiatives, workflow automation, and AI-enabled operational improvements.Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Finance, or a related discipline; Master's degree preferred.Success Measures — First 6–12 MonthsOperational Excellence Office established with clear governance, team members hired, organizational structure, operating cadence with COO, and executive visibility.Comprehensive assessment of operational improvement opportunities completed with a prioritized multi-year transformation roadmap approved by the COO.Initial portfolio of strategic initiatives delivering measurable improvements in productivity, customer service, operating margin, and working capital.Increased adoption of enterprise systems and automation resulting in measurable reductions in manual effort and improved process consistency.Lean and Kaizen operating disciplines embedded across priority Operations functions through training, with expanding adoption across other functional areas.Executive leadership utilizing standardized operational performance metrics and portfolio reporting to guide strategic decision-making.Working RelationshipsReports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and serves as a strategic partner in driving Nextpower's operational and business transformation agenda.Works closely with leaders across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Quality, Logistics, Field Operations, Engineering, Finance, IT, Sales, Human Resources, and other business functions to identify, prioritize, and execute strategic initiatives that improve enterprise performance.Partners with executive leadership, business unit leaders, and site leadership to ensure operational excellence becomes an enduring organizational capability that supports the company's long-term growth strategy.Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $275,000-$330,000 . This role is also eligible for bonus and equity as part of the total compensation package.At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.We are NextpowerSummaryLocation: Fremont, North Bldg, California - USAType: