Lean OpEx Instructor- REMOTE

VDS Consulting Group • West Palm Beach, FL

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Lean OpEx Instructor will deliver VDS's Operational Excellence (OpEx) curriculum both on-site and virtually to client teams. This role involves hands-on teaching and coaching, focusing on live application of Lean principles within client value streams using their own data and constraints, with results measured in weeks. The instructor will work with multiple clients across various sites, adapting standard VDS material to each client's specific industry, culture, and maturity level while maintaining methodological integrity. The role requires the ability to teach a comprehensive course catalog covering Lean, Six Sigma/Quality, and Executive level transformation, representing frameworks such as the VDS Business System® and Value Driven Approach®.

Requirements

• 10+ years of hands-on Lean / Operational Excellence experience in industry, consulting, or both, including direct responsibility for delivered results — not just facilitation.
• 5+ years of demonstrated adult instruction and workshop facilitation experience with mixed audiences, including senior leadership.
• Deep working command of core Lean and CI tools: value stream mapping, standard work, cellular flow and takt, pull/kanban, SMED, TPM/OEE, 6S, root cause analysis and mistake proofing, A3 problem solving, Hoshin Kanri, and Leader Standard Work.
• Proven ability to run a room: manage skepticism, resolve conflict, hold a five-day workshop's energy, and drive a group to a decision.
• Experience in one or more VDS core industries — aerospace/defense, MRO and aftermarket, industrial or automotive manufacturing, food and beverage, pharma/medical devices, chemicals, energy, mining, logistics, or field services.
• Comfort operating in a PE-owned environment: fast timelines, clear numbers, low tolerance for theory without application.
• Able to work independently as a contractor across multiple concurrent client sites with minimal supervision.
• Willing and able to travel extensively; valid passport and clean travel history.
• Legally authorized to contract in the country of engagement; able to pass client-required background checks, drug screening, and site safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Master, Six Sigma Master Black Belt, TWI, or Shingo Prize experience.
• Prior Train the Trainer certification and a track record of building internal facilitator forces.
• Experience delivering to private equity portfolio companies or during a post-close value creation plan.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, or Mandarin) for global client sites.
• Experience with digital/Industry 4.0 tools layered onto Lean deployments.
• Prior P&L, plant management, or operations leadership responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Deliver VDS workshops, simulations, and coaching sessions on-site at client facilities and virtually, to audiences from operator to executive level.
• Tailor standard VDS content to the client's industry, terminology, culture, and current-state maturity while preserving methodology fidelity.
• Facilitate live kaizen events, value stream mapping sessions, Gemba walks, and A3 coaching using the client's actual processes and data.
• Coach client leaders and internal facilitators so capability transfers to the organization — including Train the Trainer delivery to build the client's own instructor bench.
• Partner with the VDS engagement team and client sponsors to align training content to the engagement's KPI and savings targets.
• Assess participant competency, provide feedback, and recommend certification or additional development.
• Track and report training outcomes, participant progress, and observed improvement opportunities back to the VDS Practice Lead and the client sponsor.
• Contribute improvements to VDS course material, exercises, and simulations based on field experience.
• Maintain the professional standard expected in front of PE sponsors, boards, and portfolio company executives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed