Operational Excellence Manager

Ajinomoto Foods North America•Lampasas, TX

About The Position

The factory Operational Excellence (OpEx) Manager develops, implements, and sustains Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategies to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime and food loss, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in a food manufacturing facility. The role leads the factory’s continuous improvement culture to achieve TPM program objectives and total delivered cost (TDC) reductions. Additional duties may be assigned based on organizational needs. The manager leads implementation of AFNA TPM reference standards across launched pillars, coordinates training, facilitates TPM activities with hourly and management leaders, assesses and coaches TPM standards, and escalates requests for support to the central OpEx organization. The role leads identification and prioritization of operational losses, supports root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions, and drives understanding and use of OEE performance indicators. The position also leads the factory’s cross-functional TDC program, develops and executes cost-reduction projects, and reports progress and escalations to AFNA leaders. People leadership responsibilities include setting expectations and aligning teams to business priorities, managing performance through data and feedback, making timely talent decisions, and developing organizational capability through coaching, succession planning, and investment in future-ready skills.

Requirements

At least 4 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.
Strong knowledge of TPM methodology, Lean principles, or a continuous improvement program.
Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to motivate, develop, and inspire others.
Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and change-management skills.
Experience identifying, adopting, and leading change initiatives and gaining alignment.
Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders, peer groups, and personnel at all factory levels.
Proven track record of driving results in a factory environment.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered; experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field or active enrollment in a STEM degree program; preference for engineering degrees or enrollment in an engineering program.
At least 2 years of AFNA manufacturing experience in a leadership role.
Certifications in advanced continuous improvement tools.

Responsibilities

Drive process improvement and team development by implementing AFNA TPM reference standards for launched pillars with factory leaders and department teams.
Coordinate and conduct training on AFNA TPM reference standards for all levels of the factory.
Lead TPM activities and discussions with hourly and management leaders to promote change and meet business targets.
Conduct internal assessments and coach factory personnel on the health and use of TPM standards.
Communicate and escalate training and assistance needs to the central OpEx organization.
Lead identification and prioritization of losses, including OEE, downtime, raw material loss, and labor loss, through visual and verbal communication with factory leaders and team members.
Guide and develop factory personnel to ensure effective root cause analysis and sustainable actions.
Own factory understanding, ownership, and use of the OEE performance indicator to drive continuous improvement.
Lead the factory’s cross-functional TDC program to identify projects and activities that achieve annual cost-reduction targets.
Ensure cost-reduction projects and activities are executed according to expected timelines.
Report TDC activities and escalations to AFNA leaders.
Lead direct reports with clarity and accountability, set expectations, align teams to business priorities, and model inclusive, values-based leadership.
Manage performance outcomes using data and ongoing feedback, address issues early, and make fair, timely talent decisions.
Build organizational capability through coaching, succession planning, and investment in future-ready skills.
Perform other duties as assigned.