Senior Director – Operational Excellence

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

📋 Description

• Oversee the continuous improvement strategy for all manufacturing locations within the company.

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

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

• Spearhead the continuous improvement change initiative and formulate the company’s CI strategy and roadmap.

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

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

• Design CI training programs, tools, playbooks, and learning materials.

• Cultivate a network of Continuous Improvement champions at the plant level.

• Monitor plant targets and KPIs alongside Plant Leadership Teams, and create action plans and follow-up meetings.

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

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

• Employ statistical and analytical methods to pinpoint improvement opportunities and support decision-making.

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

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

• Undertake additional responsibilities as required.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, business, engineering, food science, or a related area, 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 that involve influencing, such as CI, Lean, or support functions.

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

• Training and practical experience with value stream mapping, kaizen techniques, 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 implementing a playbook for a management operating system (MOS) and a continuous improvement initiative, including site-wide rollout.

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

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

• Familiarity with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), including exposure to Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Planned Maintenance (PM) pillars is preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation abilities.

• Diplomatic in addressing needs and recommendations.

• Proactive approach to completing projects.

• Capability to manage multiple priorities and workstreams effectively.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical benefits.

• Dental benefits.

• Vision benefits.

• Life insurance.

• Disability insurance.

• 401k participation.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.