Director, Central Operations (Governance & Standards)

Circana

15d•$102,000 - $120,000•Remote

About The Position

Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data solutions for consumer packaged goods companies, manufacturers, and retailers. Our predictive analytics and Liquid Data® platform help clients measure market share, uncover consumer behavior, and drive growth—powered by six decades of expertise and an expansive, high-quality data set. At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives. We’re a global company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and belonging. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, cultures, and viewpoints that each individual brings. By embracing a wide range of backgrounds, skills, expertise, and beyond, we create a stronger, more innovative environment for our employees, clients, and communities. With us, you can always bring your full self to work. Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Circana is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work®. This prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Circana. Learn more at www.circana.com. Role Overview We are seeking an execution‑focused operational excellence leader to govern Circana Operations’ core improvement systems—Complete Excellence—across our global Operations organization. Operations includes roughly 3,500 employees, and adoption of the operating system varies across teams. This role helps drive consistency, structure, and visibility so leaders can manage performance and improvement reliably. This role owns the Daily Management System (DMS), Leader Standard Work (LSW), the System Health Scorecard, and the maturity standards that enable consistent, predictable execution across teams. It works closely with a peer focused on coaching and enablement. This is not a project‑based Continuous Improvement (CI) role. It is a systems‑operations leadership role responsible for ensuring every team runs DMS maturity levels 2.1–2.4 each week, every leader executes LSW, and the enterprise has real visibility into performance, risks, and improvement opportunities. Success in the Role Includes 100% adoption of DMS behaviors and standards on schedule with measured performance improvement. 100% of Tier‑2 (T2) and Tier‑3 (T3) leaders utilizing LSW. A monthly System Health Scorecard used by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for interventions and decision‑making. Clear, consistent audits and maturity assessments across business units. A culture that embraces continuous improvement and personal ownership of outcomes.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive experience in Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Management Systems or Lean Transformation.
Proven track record leading enterprise‑level Lean transformations with measurable results.
Deep expertise in Lean tools and systems (value‑stream mapping, standard work, visual management, 5S, mistake‑proofing, flow optimization).
Strong auditing, governance, and standard‑writing skills.
Ability to synthesize system health, risks, and adoption gaps for senior‑leadership conversations.
Demonstrated ability to coach senior leaders and frontline teams in CI principles.
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence across global, matrixed organizations.
Hands‑on “go‑see” leadership style with the ability to observe routines, identify gaps, and translate observations into action.
Experience integrating technology into CI systems (automation, workflow tools, analytics).

Responsibilities

DMS/LSW Governance & Standards
Own the enterprise DMS/LSW standards, templates, playbooks, and maturity rubrics (levels 2.1 → 2.4).
Lead updates and documentation to ensure clarity and ease of use across global teams.
Conduct quarterly maturity audits across teams to assess progress.
Ensure weekly board quality: agenda execution, comments on red items, reason codes, pareto stability.
System Health & Analytics
Maintain the System Health Scorecard, which includes DMS maturity, LSW usage, PDCA learning rate, and escalations.
Identify adoption gaps and partner with T2 leaders on corrective actions.
Track enterprise‑wide PDCA (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act) cycles, trend drivers, and performance signals.
Leadership Coaching & Enablement
Coach T3 leaders on meeting facilitation, pareto creation, and PDCA learning behaviors.
Conduct monthly LSW reviews with leaders; ensure protected time, board walks, and reflections occur.
Change Leadership
Drive adoption of the operating system through clear communication, leader enablement, and consistent governance.
Ensure standardization of DMS boards, reason codes, pareto logic, and PDCA templates.