Supplier Operations Manager

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

📋 Description

• Act as the main operational liaison for a portfolio consisting of around 5–10 supplier facilities.

• Establish strategic partnerships with suppliers that promote accountability, enhance performance, and achieve operational excellence.

• Perform monthly or quarterly on-site visits to facilities to assess production processes and operational standards.

• Offer hands-on consulting and technical assistance regarding production flow, line efficiency, capacity planning, and staffing models.

• Assist in new product launches by confirming production readiness, execution capability, scalability, and adherence to quality standards.

• Enhance quality by pinpointing root causes of defects, implementing corrective measures, and instituting preventive strategies.

• Create, operationalize, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as yield, waste, service levels, labor efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• Track supplier performance using scorecards and reporting systems.

• Collaborate with operations, field merchandising, quality assurance, and supply chain teams.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the supplier network utilizing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Examine operational data and production metrics to formulate improvement plans.

• Facilitate problem-solving sessions with supplier leadership teams.

• Develop and present training programs focused on operational excellence, quality management, and performance measurement.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field is required.

• At least 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, or operations consulting positions.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in production environments, supplier networks, or vendor management within a distributed network.

• A minimum of 2 years of management experience.

• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) or a continuous improvement certification is strongly preferred.

• Solid understanding of manufacturing operations, production systems, and principles of supply chain management.

• Proficiency in industrial engineering concepts, including workflow optimization, time studies, capacity analysis, and labor modeling.

• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data, recognize trends, and convert insights into actionable improvement strategies.

• Exceptional problem-solving and root cause analysis skills utilizing methods such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, and Pareto analysis.

• Experience with Lean manufacturing principles, including value stream mapping, 5S, kaizen events, and waste elimination techniques.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management abilities, enabling effective influence and partnership with external stakeholders.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills for operational discussions at the field level and reporting at the executive level.

• Capacity to manage multiple facilities and competing priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), with advanced Excel skills for data analysis, pivot tables, and dashboard creation.

• Familiarity with production planning systems, quality management systems, and performance management tools.

• Strong project management skills, capable of driving initiatives from concept through implementation and sustainment.

• Willingness to travel up to 50% for on-site facility visits and to support operational improvement initiatives.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunity to make a significant impact in stores and communities.

• General benefits provided by 7-Eleven in the US (link referenced in posting).

• General benefits provided by 7-Eleven in Canada (link referenced in posting).