The Sr. Manager, Operational Excellence will be responsible for leading the strategic deployment of the company Production System (LPS) principles across all manufacturing operations, reporting directly to the Director of Operations. This role encompasses driving enterprise-level continuous improvement initiatives, managing key programs like MRB governance, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. As a change agent, the Sr. Manager will foster a culture of Lean thinking and operational excellence throughout the organization.
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You Will:
- Define and execute the Operational Excellence roadmap aligned with business objectives and factory performance targets.
- Champion LPS principles across all operational areas, ensuring standardization, waste elimination, and continuous improvement at scale.
- Own the Material Review Board process, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and deployment of waste reduction strategies with cross-functional teams.
- Mentor and coach leaders and team members in Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and data-driven decision-making.
- Establish and monitor layered audit systems, process reviews, and compliance checks to sustain improvements.
- Utilize advanced data analysis to identify cost reduction and productivity improvement opportunities; implement KPI dashboards for real-time visibility.
Kaizen & Gemba Leadership:
- Facilitate enterprise-level Kaizen events and lead Gemba walks to uncover systemic issues and drive impactful solutions.
- Develop, implement, and maintain Lean tools and systems, including 6S, standard work, and visual management.
- Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Operations to deliver projects that enhance safety, minimize production issues, and improve vehicle quality.
You Bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
- Proven track record in Lean transformation and Operational Excellence leadership.
- Experience managing MRB processes and ERP systems (SAP preferred).
- Deep knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies (Black Belt preferred).
- Expertise in problem-solving tools (8D, A3, PDCA) and industrial engineering techniques (time studies, capacity analysis).
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence at all organizational levels.
- Skilled in change management and leading without authority.
- Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
- Demonstrated success in Kaizen facilitation and large-scale continuous improvement projects.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Compensation and Benefits
The company offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the company’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.
