Operational Excellence (OpEx) Leader

Kastle Systems•Falls Church, VA

21h

About The Position

The OpEx Leader is responsible for designing, deploying, and sustaining the Kastle Lean Operating System to improve efficiency, consistency, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. The role oversees transformation, Kaizen and continuous improvement programs, Leader Standard Work and tiered operating rhythms, the Standards Council, operational initiatives, and Lean training. In partnership with Regional SVPs and national functional leaders, the OpEx Leader ensures teams work together to support business goals, minimize costs, and improve operational effectiveness. The role leads the Operations transformation roadmap, including the phased move to a functional matrix, and applies structured change management to workflow changes. It establishes operating standards and governance across regions and functions, quantifies value from improvement initiatives, and works with Finance to distinguish EBITDA savings from capacity gains. The OpEx Leader also partners with Analytics & Enablement on performance scorecards and visual management, and works with the COO and CFO to align operational planning with financial goals. The position leads and mentors a cross-functional team and collaborates with senior leaders and departments including sales, operations, and finance. It is expected to foster accountability, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement in which frontline experts design and own solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in operational excellence, Lean, continuous improvement, or transformation roles.
5+ years of experience in a leadership position.
Strong knowledge of Lean principles, Kaizen facilitation, value stream mapping, Leader Standard Work, and tiered daily management.
Proven track record of driving operational efficiencies and cost savings in a complex, multifaceted organization.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Experience leading change across a matrix organization and influencing leaders without direct authority.
Proficiency in ERP and CRM systems and data analytics to drive decision-making.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent.
Experience in field service, installation, or multi-site operations.

Responsibilities

Design and deploy the Kastle Lean Operating System, including value stream focus, Leader Standard Work, visual management, and continuous improvement.
Develop and maintain tiered operating rhythms connecting strategy to frontline operations, including daily huddles, weekly regional reviews and control tower, monthly MOR, and quarterly North Star review.
Work with regional and national functional leaders to ensure adherence to Leader Standard Work across markets and the enterprise.
Evolve Lean and continuous improvement best practices, reduce waste, achieve annual budgetary goals, and drive adherence and training.
Partner with Learning and Development to design and deliver Lean, problem-solving, and Kaizen facilitation training for leaders and frontline teams.
Lead the Kaizen program by selecting and chartering events, and using a disciplined method including Gemba visits, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, future-state design, and sustainment.
Own the RAIL across workstreams, ensuring actions have named owners, targets, and dates, with 30/60/90-day reviews and regular add, hold, or stop decisions.
Prioritize and protect must-win actions, apply field-load guardrails, and roll out changes in waves approved by operations leaders.
Run the Operations transformation roadmap, including the phased move to a functional matrix with clear phase gates and exit criteria.
Apply structured change management so every workflow change has an owner, training, and an adoption check.
Report transformation progress, risks, and decisions needed to the COO and Operating Committee.
Run the Standards Council cadence to set consistent standards for leveling, specialization, and work across regions.
Partner with National Installation, National Service, and Central Operations leaders to document standard work and playbooks, reducing process variation and redundant tools.
Maintain decision rights and RACI between regions and functions, escalating unresolved conflicts to the COO.
Quantify, track, and report realized value from Kaizen and cost-out initiatives with Finance, distinguishing EBITDA savings from capacity gains.
Identify and eliminate value-stream waste from sale through installation and service to improve utilization and reduce estimate-to-actual slip.
Establish benefit metrics and accountability for initiative owners aligned with company objectives.
Partner with Analytics & Enablement to maintain a North Star and MOR scorecard with consistent KPI definitions and a single source of truth.
Deploy visual management and RAG status at every tier so performance, problems, and priorities surface quickly and issues are escalated promptly.
Drive financial performance through operational efficiencies and cost reductions across Kaizen, cost-out initiatives, and process standardization.
Develop KPIs to measure success and support continuous improvement.
Work with the COO and CFO to align operational planning with financial goals and contribute to organizational profitability.
Lead and mentor a cross-functional team and foster innovation, accountability, and excellence.
Collaborate with senior leadership and departments such as sales, operations, and finance to align strategies and operations.
Communicate operational goals and performance across the organization.
Build a continuous-improvement culture in which frontline experts design and own solutions.