Senior Director – Operational Excellence

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Georgia.

📋 Description

• Guide the ongoing improvement strategy of the company across all manufacturing locations.

• Develop processes, capabilities, tools, and governance to ensure a consistent and sustainable continuous improvement approach throughout the factories.

• Create a standardized framework for manufacturing excellence rooted in lean principles, structured problem-solving, loss elimination, standard work, and performance management.

• Formulate and oversee the company’s Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap for all manufacturing sites.

• Establish a unified CI methodology, tools, governance, terminology, and expectations throughout the manufacturing network.

• Promote and enhance Lean manufacturing practices, including standard work, Kaizen, 5S, value-stream mapping, visual management, root-cause analysis, waste elimination, centerlining, and structured problem-solving.

• Design CI training, tools, playbooks, and educational programs.

• Cultivate a network of plant-level Continuous Improvement advocates.

• Monitor plant targets and KPIs alongside Plant Leadership Teams, setting action plans and follow-up meetings to address gaps.

• Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly KPI charting and posting to uphold accountability.

• Utilize Power BI and SAP to convert operational data into actionable insights for plant and operations leaders.

• Employ statistical and analytical methods to uncover improvement opportunities and assist in decision-making.

• Implement and manage cost savings tracking in line with corporate standards, achieving set savings targets.

• Collaborate with the Safety Director to integrate safety into improvement initiatives, including incident investigations, hazard reduction, and safety considerations during kaizen events.

• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, business, engineering, food science, or a related field, or equivalent experience in continuous improvement.

• 7 to 10 years of experience in a manufacturing setting, including a leadership position.

• Over 5 years of experience in influencing roles, such as Continuous Improvement, Lean, or support functions.

• Background in statistical process control, root cause analysis, or other analytical methods through education or experience.

• Training and practical experience with value stream mapping, kaizen methods, 5S, leader standard work, and other Lean tools.

• Project management experience in leading cross-functional teams to meet timelines, budgets, and objectives.

• Experience in developing or implementing a playbook for a management operating system (MOS) and a continuous improvement program, including its rollout across multiple sites.

• Familiarity with SAP and Power BI for operational reporting is preferred.

• Experience in food or consumer packaged goods manufacturing is preferred.

• Knowledge of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), with exposure to Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Planned Maintenance (PM) pillars preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the capability to influence leaders at all levels.

• Diplomatic in conveying needs and recommendations, with credibility that fosters trust across departments.

• A proactive approach that drives projects to completion despite challenges.

• A collaborative team-oriented mindset in all circumstances.

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and workstreams simultaneously.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical benefits

• Dental benefits

• Vision benefits

• Life insurance

• Disability insurance

• 401k participation

• Paid holidays

• Paid time off