Manager Operational Excellence
About The Position
LSB Industries is seeking an experienced Manager Operational Excellence to own, develop, and sustain The LSB Way, the company-wide operating model. The role establishes governance, leadership routines, management systems, and organizational capabilities to drive consistent manufacturing performance and continuous improvement across facilities. It combines hands-on manufacturing experience and analytical problem solving with the ability to identify improvement opportunities, address complex operational problems, and create standardized practices that prevent recurring issues. Working collaboratively with plant leadership, operations teams, and corporate functions, the Manager Operational Excellence delivers measurable improvements in production, reliability, and efficiency while strengthening the organization’s ability to sustain results. The role influences employees and leaders at all levels, from frontline operators to senior manufacturing leadership. Regular travel to LSB manufacturing facilities is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 8–10 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, including substantial hands-on exposure to plant operations, production performance, and manufacturing improvement.
- Demonstrated success delivering measurable improvements in production throughput, reliability, operational efficiency, or manufacturing costs.
- Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills, including experience with structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
- Experience implementing, leading, and sustaining manufacturing operating systems, including governance, daily management routines, leadership accountability, and continuous improvement practices.
- Strong understanding of how management systems, operating processes, and organizational behaviors influence manufacturing performance.
- Ability to develop organizational capability, coach manufacturing leaders, and establish sustainable processes and behaviors that deliver results without ongoing direct intervention.
- Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence manufacturing leadership, and build working relationships from the shop floor to senior management.
- Strong communication, organizational, and execution skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results through others.
- Self-motivated, results-oriented leadership, personal initiative, sound judgment, and commitment to developing organizational capability.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to LSB manufacturing facilities.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in continuous process manufacturing environments and/or hands-on manufacturing consulting, with demonstrated ability to identify operational constraints, solve complex problems, and implement sustainable improvements.
- Previous experience in production operations, manufacturing leadership, or plant-based process engineering roles.
- Experience implementing or sustaining a manufacturing operating model across multiple facilities.
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other structured continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience coaching manufacturing teams, leading organizational change, and embedding sustainable improvements into daily operating practices.
Responsibilities
- Own and continuously evolve The LSB Way, establishing governance, standards, and mechanisms to assess effectiveness and sustain adoption across manufacturing facilities.
- Establish and strengthen operating routines, performance management processes, and accountability systems that drive operational discipline and consistent results.
- Coach plant leadership in daily management routines, performance reviews, problem escalation, and accountability practices.
- Assess operating-model maturity, identify execution gaps, and prevent regression after implementation.
- Develop the Operational Excellence function and a network of site champions to support independent site execution.
- Identify, prioritize, and lead improvement initiatives that increase throughput, improve reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize manufacturing costs.
- Apply structured problem-solving methods, root cause analysis, and production data to identify constraints, resolve operational challenges, and deliver sustainable improvements.
- Establish performance metrics, track improvement initiatives, and validate operational and financial benefits.
- Partner with plant leadership, engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to implement improvements and sustain results.
- Build internal capability and site ownership of The LSB Way, reducing reliance on external consultants and corporate support.
- Transition externally supported improvement initiatives into a sustainable, internally owned operational excellence program.
- Drive cross-site alignment, standardization, and sharing of best practices while focusing on high-value opportunities.
- Partner with Digital Transformation to integrate production data, digital tools, and performance reporting into daily operating practices.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
