Senior Director of Operational Excellence

EECOE•West Chester, PA

About The Position

The Sr Director of Operational Excellence is responsible for leading Operational Excellence across Electrical Equipment Center of Excellence (EECOE) operations, with direct leadership responsibility for the Safety and Quality functions. This role drives the deployment of The MCG Way by strengthening strategy execution, process discipline, and continuous improvement to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance across all manufacturing operations. This leader ensures effective implementation of the Mission Critical Group (MCG) Safety Management System (SMS) and Quality Management System (QMS), maintaining regulatory compliance, reducing operational risk, and ensuring consistent product quality across EECOE operations. The Sr Director partners closely with Central Operations leaders in Safety, Quality, and Operational Excellence to ensure alignment with enterprise standards while building strong site-level capabilities that support sustainable growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical or business discipline required.
Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Operations, or Continuous Improvement within complex industrial or manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience deploying enterprise operating systems such as Lean Manufacturing, Strategy Deployment, Tiered Accountability, or similar structured management frameworks.
Strong experience applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
Experience building and standardizing processes, performance management systems, and continuous improvement programs.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and drive change across multiple organizations and locations.
Proven ability to deploy structured operating systems and drive measurable operational improvements.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable decisions.
Ability to lead and coach leaders in Lean principles including visual management, daily accountability, standard work, and structured problem solving.
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with frontline teams through executive leadership.
Ability to build alignment and collaborate across functions and Centers of Excellence.
Strong project and program management capability with the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives.
Strong decision-making capability with sound judgment in complex operational environments.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience leading Operational Excellence initiatives across multiple facilities preferred.
Working knowledge of structured management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 preferred.
Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure adherence to and adoption of the MCG Safety Management System (SMS), including consistent implementation of documentation standards, audit requirements, and compliance with applicable regulations such as OSHA and ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, in coordination with the Central Operations Safety leader.
Lead the development and execution of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs across all facilities, partnering with the Central Operations Safety leader to ensure alignment with enterprise standards.
Provide strategic direction and support to site-level safety leaders to promote a proactive safety culture focused on zero incidents.
Oversee safety training programs, incident investigations, root cause analysis, and regulatory compliance reporting.
Lead internal and external safety audits, certifications, and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to applicable standards and regulations.
Adhere to and adopt the MCG Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring consistent implementation of documentation standards, audit requirements, and compliance with applicable regulations such as ISO 9001, in coordination with the Central Operations Quality leader.
Guide and support site-level quality leaders to ensure consistent product quality and adherence to enterprise standards.
Lead internal and external quality audits and certification activities across operations.
Direct quality training programs and oversee investigations of product issues, ensuring timely corrective and preventive actions.
Deploy The MCG Way across operations by embedding strategy deployment, performance management, and process discipline in collaboration with the Central Operational Excellence leader.
Establish governance mechanisms to support strategy execution and operational alignment.
Define and track key performance indicators related to safety, quality, and operational performance as part of The MCG Way.
Define, monitor, and drive key performance indicators related to safety, quality, delivery, and operational performance as part of The MCG Way and the business management review process.
Drive a culture of Operational Excellence using Lean Six Sigma methodologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
Lead kaizen events and structured problem-solving initiatives to eliminate waste and reduce process variation in partnership with Central Operations Operational Excellence team.
Coach leaders on Lean principles including visual management, daily accountability, standard work, and structured problem solving.
Build trust and engagement across MCG by positioning Operational Excellence as a partnership that supports leaders and frontline teams in achieving their goals.
Actively listen to operators, supervisors, and site leaders to understand operational challenges and remove barriers to performance.
Mentor Operational Excellence resources and site leaders across the Centers of Excellence, developing their capabilities in problem solving, process discipline, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture grounded in respect and accountability.
Establish clarity and consistency in how operational performance is measured, communicated, and improved across MCG.
Ensure clear visibility into key performance metrics including safety, quality, delivery, and cost, enabling teams to understand performance and take action.
Promote disciplined problem-solving by ensuring operational issues are surfaced quickly and addressed through structured Root Cause Corrective Action processes and Real-Time Problem Resolution.
Continuously seek better ways to improve operational performance by advancing systems, processes, and tools aligned with The MCG Way.
Leverage data-driven insights, Lean methodologies, and structured improvement techniques to eliminate waste, reduce variation, and improve flow.
Challenge traditional ways of working and introduce scalable solutions that improve productivity, capacity utilization, and operational effectiveness across Centers of Excellence.
Lead Operational Excellence efforts across multiple facilities and operating environments, maintaining focus on long-term system maturity despite competing priorities and organizational complexity.
Persist in driving standardization, process discipline, and sustainable improvements even when faced with resistance or changing business conditions.
Provide steady leadership during operational challenges, guiding teams through structured problem solving and recovery.
Ensure The MCG Way is deployed consistently across Centers of Excellence, establishing predictable operating rhythms and disciplined execution.
Ensure strategy deployment, tiered accountability, and continuous improvement systems are functioning effectively and delivering measurable results.
Build credibility with leaders by delivering consistent outcomes and sustaining improvements over time.
Demonstrate determination in raising operational performance standards across MCG year after year.
Take ownership of difficult operational challenges and drive closure on systemic issues through disciplined execution and accountability.
Push the organization beyond short-term fixes by ensuring improvements are sustained and embedded into standard work, strengthening MCG’s operational capabilities for long-term growth.
Provides leadership and direction to a team of Operational Excellence professionals, including a minimum of two direct reports.
Establishes clear priorities, performance expectations, and development objectives aligned with company goals and The MCG Way.
Coaches and mentors Operational Excellence team members to strengthen leadership capability, problem-solving skills, and continuous improvement expertise.
Builds and sustains a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
Delegates responsibilities effectively and ensures team members have the tools and support required to succeed.
Partners with Human Resources on recruiting, onboarding, development, and retention of high-performing talent.