Senior Director, Operational Excellence

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

📋 Description

• Oversee the ongoing enhancement 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 framework for manufacturing excellence based on lean principles, structured problem-solving, loss elimination, standard work, and performance management.

• Spearhead the CI transformation initiative and formulate the company’s continuous improvement strategy and roadmap for all factories.

• Implement 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.

• Create CI training materials, tools, playbooks, and educational programs.

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

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

• Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly KPI charting and reporting.

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

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

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

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

• Execute additional responsibilities as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

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

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

• 5+ years in roles that influence CI, Lean, or supporting functions.

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

• 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 implementing a playbook for a management operating system (MOS) and a continuous improvement program, including the rollout across sites.

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

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

• Experience 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 skills.

• Ability to influence leaders at all levels.

• Diplomatic communication of needs and recommendations.

• Proactive approach that drives projects to successful completion despite challenges.

• Team-oriented with a collaborative attitude.

• Capacity 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.