Operational Excellence Program Manager

FORTNA•Mount Washington, KY

About The Position

FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services. At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach. Position Summary The Manager, Operational Excellence is responsible for driving Lean and Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives across a multi-site manufacturing network. This role serves as a peer leader to factory leadership teams, fostering a culture of operational discipline, capability building, and sustained performance improvement. The position focuses on embedding Lean principles, standardizing business processes, and developing a highly skilled, continuously improving workforce.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field required
Minimum of 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, or operational excellence
Proven experience leading Lean transformation and continuous improvement initiatives in a multi-site environment
Demonstrated success in influencing senior leaders and driving cross-functional change
Deep knowledge of lean manufacturing, CI methodologies, and problem-solving tools (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, standard work, root cause analysis)
Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority
Experience designing and delivering training and workforce development programs
Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills
Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities

Nice To Haves

Passion for developing people and building high-performing teams
Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
High level of resilience, adaptability, and accountability
Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement

Responsibilities

Partner with site leadership teams to identify, prioritize, and execute Lean and CI initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities
Act as a peer leader and coach to plant leadership, guiding the application of Lean principles and problem-solving methodologies
Lead value stream mapping, Kaizen events, and root cause analysis to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance
Drive accountability for sustaining improvements and maintaining standard work
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and operational excellence across all sites
Influence and engage leaders at all levels to adopt and model Lean behaviors and mindsets
Establish and track key performance indicators to measure CI maturity and impact
Own and manage factory-wide training programs for a skills-based workforce
Design and deliver onboarding and training programs for new factory floor employees
Develop and implement leadership development programs for front-line supervisors and production leaders
Ensure training systems support certification, skill progression, and workforce flexibility
Lead the development and implementation of standardized work and best practices across sites
Drive standardization of core business and operational processes to improve consistency and efficiency
Support the introduction and scaling of new processes, ensuring alignment with Lean principles