Operational Excellence Specialist

Ball • Saratoga Springs, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operational Excellence Specialist is an entry-level development role that combines facilitative leadership with learning the can-making process and participating in day-to-day plant operations. The role operates under the supervision of the Regional Manager Lean Six Sigma or Regional Operational Excellence Manager. Its dual focus is to lead standardization of the plant management process, working with employees across shifts and teams, and to lead process-improvement assignments and projects that improve productivity, throughput, and quality. The assignment is approximately two years. After two years, strong performers may have the opportunity to grow into a Plant Supervisor role and pursue other future leadership roles.

The specialist supports implementation of the plant management system and standardized work; facilitates improvement teams, workshops, and projects; contributes to daily problem solving and process analysis; and helps develop, document, train, sustain, and improve standard work. The role requires presenting, educating, training, and facilitating with employees at all levels and external audiences. It is an onsite role requiring regular in-person engagement. Travel and local commuting between Ball locations and possibly non-Ball locations may be required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Job-related process improvement or project management experience.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, perform complex tasks, organize work, and follow through consistently while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven team-building and leadership ability.
• Strong written and oral communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence upward, across, and down without formal authority.
• Willingness to take risks, challenge the status quo, and work under ambiguous circumstances.
• Intellectual, emotional, and logical capability and confidence to gain credibility quickly and become a trusted advisor.
• Computer skills, including MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.; the employer will not sponsor employment visas for this opening.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, supply chain, or equivalent work-related experience.
• Manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and execute plant-wide standardization of the management system, working with employees at all levels to support, train, and track implementation to standard.
• Lead and facilitate improvement teams, workshop teams, and individual improvement projects aligned with plant or department priorities.
• Participate as a team member, problem-solving resource, and facilitator on plant or department improvement teams, and take part in daily problem-solving activities.
• Collaborate with the plant team on process analysis and performance reporting for internal or external client needs.
• Learn and practice Lean tools and techniques, including DMAIC, PDCA, root cause analysis, risk assessment/FMEA, and kaizen.
• Collaborate with plant training resources to develop, document, train, sustain, and improve standardized work.
• Support and facilitate adoption of best practices to eliminate waste and improve performance for assigned plants or functions.
• Present, educate, train, and facilitate at all levels and for external audiences.

Benefits

• Eligible to participate in the annual incentive compensation plan.
• Comprehensive benefits structure; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED