Senior Director – Operational Excellence

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

📋 Description

• Oversee the ongoing improvement strategy for the company across all manufacturing locations.

• Develop processes, capabilities, tools, and governance to ensure a uniform and sustainable approach to continuous improvement.

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

• Formulate and guide the company's Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap for all factories.

• Implement a common Continuous Improvement 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 Continuous Improvement training, tools, playbooks, and educational programs.

• Build a network of plant-level Continuous Improvement champions.

• Collaborate with Plant Leadership Teams to monitor targets and KPIs, establish action plans, and conduct follow-up meetings.

• Manage daily, weekly, and monthly KPI charting and posting.

• Utilize Power BI and SAP to convert operational data into actionable insights.

• Employ statistical and analytical methods to identify areas for improvement and facilitate decision-making.

• Execute and oversee cost savings tracking in accordance with corporate standards.

• Achieve savings targets.

• Collaborate with the Safety Director on incident investigations, hazard mitigation, and safety considerations during Kaizen events.

• Perform additional duties as required.

⛳️ 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 in roles influencing Continuous Improvement, Lean, or support functions.

• Background or education in statistical process control, root cause analysis, or other analytical techniques.

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

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

• Experience in developing or executing a playbook for a management operating system (MOS) and a continuous improvement program, including the 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), including exposure to Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Planned Maintenance (PM) pillars is preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

• Diplomacy in expressing needs and recommendations.

• Proactive approach that drives projects towards completion despite challenges.

• Collaborative team-oriented mindset.

• Ability to manage 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.