Operational Excellence Manager

Operational Excellence Manager

Location: Utica, NY

Industry: Liquid Cooling Component Manufacturing & Distribution

Starting Salary: $110,000 + per year 

Competitive benefits package and career growth opportunities available.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Operational Excellence Manager to lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives at our growing manufacturing and distribution facility in Utica, NY. Reporting to the Plant Director, this role will drive productivity improvements, waste reduction, process standardization, and operational excellence across manufacturing, warehouse, supply chain, quality, engineering, and support functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead site-wide continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Facilitate Lean events, kaizen workshops, value stream mapping, and process improvement projects.
• Implement and sustain daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, and problem-solving practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Coach leaders and employees on Lean principles and continuous improvement tools.
• Track project results and partner with Finance to validate savings and productivity gains.
• Lead cross-functional improvement efforts and support operational growth and efficiency.
• Develop sustainment processes to ensure long-term success of improvements.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• Experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.
• Proven success leading productivity and process improvement initiatives.

Preferred:

• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with kaizen events, value stream mapping, standard work, and daily management systems.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, facilitation, and project management skills.
• Ability to drive change and deliver measurable business results in a manufacturing environment.

Why This Role

• High-visibility site leadership position with direct impact on plant performance
• Opportunity to build and develop a strong quality organization
• Close partnership with site leadership and global quality teams
• Competitive compensation and full benefits package
• Career growth within a global manufacturing organization