Senior Manager, Operations Excellence

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

📋 Description

• Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Director.

• Acts as a regional CI leader responsible for advancing the continuous improvement strategy, governance, and outcomes.

• Oversees auditing, coaching, coordinating, and sustaining CI initiatives across various manufacturing plants.

• Collaborates with the Corporate CI team, Plant Leadership, and Maintenance teams.

• Monitors, audits, coaches, and drives the strategic implementation of CI strategies and best practices to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and overall plant performance.

• Assesses the organization’s operational systems at a regional level to ensure they meet accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with organizational standards.

• Ensures adherence to all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and PPE requirements across the assigned region.

• Leads, facilitates, and coaches Kaizen events for significant regional initiatives and complex cross-site opportunities to achieve sustainable improvements in safety, quality, labor efficiency, yield, and maintenance effectiveness.

• Trains and mentors employees and plant leadership teams in Lean methodologies, such as 5S, SMED, Centerlining, PdM, RCA, and Standard Work.

• Identifies and executes process improvements that boost equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and waste reduction while ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and FDA regulations.

• Tracks and reports key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational management systems, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement throughout the region.

• Advocates for best practice sharing and continuous improvement through cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, and CI teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or a related field is required.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Continuous Improvement / Lean roles.

• Practical experience in deploying production management systems and lean methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and Visual Management to enhance efficiency and minimize waste.

• Proven track record in implementing and maintaining cultural, operational, and maintenance improvements through structured change management.

• Proficient in planning, leading, and coaching Kaizen events to promote continuous improvement, asset reliability, and operational excellence.

• Strong skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Windows) with the ability to quickly learn new software applications; experience with the SAP Maintenance Module is preferred.

• In-depth knowledge of SQF standards, OSHA, and maintenance best practices, with a strong commitment to Food Safety, Food Quality, and regulatory compliance.

• Ability to analyze maintenance and operational KPIs to make data-driven decisions that enhance equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize costs.

• Experience in teaching, coaching, and applying structured problem-solving methodologies, such as 5-Why, Fishbone Analysis, and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), to resolve recurring issues.

• Strong ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate CI strategies, ensuring departmental alignment.

• Willingness to adjust work hours or shifts as necessary based on production, maintenance, and operational requirements.

• Proactive in identifying, prioritizing, and executing maintenance and CI opportunities with urgency to improve safety, quality, and equipment uptime.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance.

• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.

• Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance.

• Short-term disability and long-term disability.

• Pet Insurance.

• Legal Benefits.

• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match.

• 12 Paid Holidays.

• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Days.

• Well-being Benefit Discount and Total Reward Programs.