Description
The Operational Excellence Director is responsible for leading enterprise-wide initiatives to drive continuous improvement, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a culture of excellence. This strategic leadership role focuses on implementing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, ensuring workplace safety, and optimizing processes to achieve measurable business results.
Key Responsibilities:
Continuous Improvement Leadership:
- Develop and execute comprehensive operational excellence strategy aligned with business objectives
- Lead cross-functional teams to identify, prioritize, and implement improvement opportunities
- Establish and monitor KPIs to track operational performance and improvement initiatives
- Drive sustainable process improvements that reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve quality
- Facilitate kaizen events, value stream mapping, and rapid improvement workshops
Lean & Six Sigma Implementation:
- Champion Lean and Six Sigma methodologies throughout the organization
- Lead complex DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) projects
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of Lean Six Sigma projects with measurable ROI
- Train and mentor employees in Lean and Six Sigma tools and techniques
- Build internal capability by developing Green Belts, Black Belts, and Master Black Belts
- Standardize best practices and ensure knowledge transfer across teams
Safety & Risk Management:
- Partner with EHS leadership to integrate safety into continuous improvement initiatives
- Promote a zero-incident safety culture through behavioral-based safety programs
- Conduct safety assessments and implement corrective actions
- Ensure all improvement initiatives maintain or enhance safety standards
- Lead incident investigations and root cause analysis using appropriate methodologies
Strategic Leadership:
- Serve as a change agent and advocate for operational excellence principles
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational excellence with strategic goals
- Build and lead a high-performing operational excellence team
- Manage operational excellence budget and resources
- Present results and recommendations to executive leadership and board of directors
Culture & Capability Development:
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement at all organizational levels
- Design and deliver training programs on Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving tools
- Establish recognition programs to celebrate improvement successes
- Coach and mentor leaders to embed operational excellence in daily management
- Create communication strategies to share best practices and success stories
Requirements
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification (required)
- Lean certification (required)
- 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or continuous improvement
- 5+ years in leadership roles managing operational excellence or continuous improvement programs
- Proven track record of leading successful Lean and Six Sigma transformations
- Demonstrated experience delivering significant cost savings and efficiency gains
- Experience with safety management systems and regulatory compliance
Technical Expertise:
- Expert knowledge of Lean principles (5S, VSM, Kaizen, TPM, SMED, Poka-Yoke)
- Advanced Six Sigma methodology and statistical analysis
- Proficiency with process improvement tools (Minitab, Visio, MS Project)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Data analysis and data-driven decision-making expertise
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field
- Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification
- Professional certifications (PMP, ASQ CQE, Lean Practitioner)
- Experience in specific industry (e.g., manufacturing, healthcare, logistics)
- Change management certification (Prosci, ADKAR)
- Experience with digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or similar quality management systems
Our Benefits!
- #1 CULTURE!!!
- Fun, Family-Oriented Work Environment!
- Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits that begin on your 1st day of work!
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Company Paid Life, Dependent Life, Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
- 10 Paid Holidays per year
- Vacation & Personal Time
- Employer HSA Contribution
- Company Paid Bereavement Time
- Company Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Onsite Gym
Are you an underappreciated, hard worker? Come see why AHP was voted a Nationally Certified "Great Place to Work"!
AHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
