Senior Operational Excellence Specialist

Senior Operational Excellence Specialist Full-time Site: Fort Mill, SC Department: Quality & Continuous Improvement Position Summary We are seeking a results-driven Senior Operational Excellence Specialist to lead and drive continuous improvement initiatives within our manufacturing plant. This role will focus on improving operational performance through Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement (CI), safety enhancement, quality improvement, machine/process optimization, cycle time reduction, productivity improvement, and cost-saving initiatives. The ideal candidate will play a key role in fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement across the plant while collaborating cross-functionally with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and safety teams. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Lead and execute Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives across the manufacturing plant. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, productivity, throughput and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste and improve process stability. Facilitate Kaizen events, root cause analysis and problem-solving workshops. Support cultural transformation towards operational excellence and continuous improvement mindset. Promote and support a strong safety culture by identifying and implementing safety improvements. Collaborate with EHS and Quality teams to reduce incidents, defects, rework and process variation. Participate in investigations and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). Ensure improvement initiatives align with plant quality and compliance standards. Analyze manufacturing processes and equipment performance to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams on machine-related improvements and reliability initiatives. Support cycle time reduction and process standardization projects. Monitor KPIs and operational metrics to drive data-based decisions. Lead cost reduction initiatives through waste elimination, process optimization and productivity enhancement. Develop and track measurable savings from operational excellence initiatives. Improve labor efficiency, material utilization and production flow. Participate in and support Lean Six Sigma training programs. Mentor and coach plant employees on CI tools and methodologies. Assist in developing standard work, visual management and operational procedures. Support employee engagement and cultural change initiatives. Utilize data analytics and reporting tools to identify trends and opportunities. Develop dashboards and performance reports using Power BI or similar tools. Explore opportunities to leverage AI and digital technologies to improve operational performance and decision-making. Skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities. Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change. Strong project management and organizational skills. Self-motivated with a hands-on approach to operational improvement. Education and Experience Required Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations management, industrial engineering or related field required. Minimum 4+ years of experience in manufacturing, operational excellence, continuous improvement or industrial engineering roles. Proven experience leading CI, Lean or Six Sigma initiatives in a manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, VSM, Root Cause Analysis and TPM. Experience with manufacturing KPIs, OEE, cycle time analysis and productivity improvement. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Preferred Knowledge or experience with AI-driven analytics/tools is a strong plus. Compensation and Benefits Competitive wages Paid Time Off (vacation, sick and holiday) 401(k) Retirement Plan Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans Health Savings Account Option Supplemental/Voluntary Insurance Plans Employee Assistance Program Tuition Reimbursement Program Employee Recognition Programs Employee PV Panel Purchase Program #J-18808-Ljbffr