Operational Excellence Leader (CI Manager)

Clarios•Middletown, DE

10d•Onsite

About The Position

As an OEx Leader (Operational Excellence Lead / CI Manager) at our Middletown, Delaware manufacturing plant, you will report directly to the Plant Manager and lead continuous improvement initiatives while owning the site’s High Performance Team (HPT) program. This role is fully onsite in a high-volume, 24/7 union facility and combines operational excellence, cost savings delivery, and HPT program execution. You will play a critical role in driving plant performance, ensuring accountability across all shifts, and supporting leadership in achieving operational targets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related field with hands-on plant experience
3–5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
Proven experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a plant setting (Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC).
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence both hourly workforce and plant leadership.
Strong analytical and systems proficiency (e.g., Power BI, CI tracking tools, or similar platforms).
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with high accountability.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey expectations across all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

Background in engineering, maintenance, or operations leadership roles.
Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment operating a 24/7 schedule.
Experience owning or supporting structured team-based programs (e.g., HPT, engagement, or CI initiatives).
Demonstrated success delivering measurable cost savings and productivity improvements.
Experience presenting to large groups and translating operational data into actionable insights.
Strong project management skills with the ability to execute independently in a lean team environment.

Responsibilities

Identify operational performance gaps and lead the development and execution of continuous improvement strategies across the plant.
Deliver approximately $300K in annual hard savings through initiatives focused on OEE, productivity, scrap reduction, and cost optimization.
Own and administer the HPT (High Performance Team) program, ensuring scorecards, metrics, and meetings are accurate, consistent, and executed across all shifts.
Support the Plant Manager with performance reporting, analytics, and operational insights to drive informed decision-making.
Facilitate and lead cross-functional teams, holding supervisors and leaders accountable for continuous improvement execution.
Drive adoption of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC methodologies to improve plant performance and standardization.
Partner with supervisors and leadership to strengthen engagement, communication, and execution of HPT initiatives.
Develop and enhance data and analytics capabilities, supporting Industry 4.0 initiatives such as MES and predictive analytics.
Promote and sustain a culture of continuous improvement within a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
Operate effectively across shifts, supporting a 24/7 production environment and maintaining strong visibility on the plant floor.