Operational Excellence Lead

Commercial Vehicle Group•Concord, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operational Excellence Lead will lead the successful implementation of operational strategies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and promote a culture of continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment. This role requires a hands-on leader with expertise in Lean methodologies, Continuous Improvement Programs, change management, and cross-functional collaboration to align plant operations with organizational goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
3+ years in operational excellence, Lean manufacturing, or similar roles within a plant environment.
Experience leading teams of hourly and salaried employees.
Expertise in Lean tools and methodologies.
Ability to be hands-on in teaching Lean methodologies.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Proficiency in data analysis and process optimization.
Exceptional communication, coaching, and leadership abilities.
Ability to influence and drive change at all organizational levels.
Problem-solving mindset with a focus on results.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to inspire collaboration.
Culture transformation mindset with an effective change management approach.
Resilient under pressure and adaptable to evolving priorities.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of the job posting location on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead the deployment of Lean/Operational Excellence strategies across the plant.
Ensure alignment of plant processes with corporate goals for operational excellence and Lean manufacturing.
Champion Lean principles such as Waste Reduction, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, TPM, and Six Sigma.
Conduct workshops, training, and mentoring to develop Lean capabilities among plant teams.
Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities through data analysis and process evaluations.
Schedule and execute Kaizen Events.
Teach and Coach on how to set up, execute, and follow-up Kaizen events.
Drive initiatives that eliminate waste, improve quality, and optimize costs.
Engage with plant leadership and staff to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
Manage resistance to change by demonstrating the value of new practices and processes.
Develop KPIs to track progress against strategic goals and Lean initiatives.
Present performance updates and improvement outcomes to stakeholders.
Partner with engineering, finance, production, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure integrated solutions.
Act as a liaison between corporate and plant-level teams to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans.
Ensure all process changes comply with regulatory and safety standards.
Promote a safe working environment through Lean practices.