Senior Operational Excellence Specialist

Freeport McMoRan•Phoenix, AZ

1d•$95,500 - $134,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under limited supervision, the Senior Operational Excellence Specialist drives and institutionalizes data-informed decision-making and shapes performance optimization at scale. The role coaches leaders, teams, and customers to run effective problem-solving and improvement routines independently, and serves as a subject matter expert in transformational methodologies. The specialist uses operational analysis and tools such as bottleneck analysis, root cause analysis (RCA), Lean, design thinking, OEE, diagnostics, lessons learned, and best practices to influence decisions, enable action, and sustain improvement. The role shapes systems that produce scalable innovation, guides structured thinking and storytelling, influences operational behaviors and processes, and builds scalable structures and routines. The specialist also facilitates multiple high-performing teams and initiatives and reviews equipment and process KPIs based on operational analysis and data evaluation. The position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, in a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees collaborate virtually and attend in-person meetings at the Phoenix Collaboration Hub or at site locations; in-person attendance may vary based on position and department requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and nine years of experience in Operations, Operations Support, Engineering, Project Management, or professional business settings; or a bachelor's degree and five years of such experience; or a master's degree and three years of such experience.
Ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
Problem-solving ability, including success in ambiguous situations and advocacy for the best possible solution.
Coaching and mentoring skills focused on maximizing team potential.
Strong communication skills and emerging ability to communicate complex messages.
Participation in prior business optimization teams, with potential to become an expert in transformation methodologies.
Ability to facilitate objectively, with established and emerging leadership skills.
Self-awareness of cognitive biases and focus on building high-performing teams and delivering outcomes.
A challenger mindset and passion for innovation and change.
Belief in a collaborative, transparent, trusting, non-hierarchical culture.
Interest in understanding people and teams.
Ability to learn quickly and navigate the organization to find experts.
Ability to receive and act on developmental feedback quickly.
Willingness to undergo mandatory pre-employment drug testing as allowed by applicable laws.

Nice To Haves

Background in a specific field such as mine, mill, or hydro.
Engineering background.
Data analysis skills.
Experience with OEE, including data access, cleaning, interpretation, and analysis.
Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions.
Ability to execute hypothesis-based analysis.
Strong Excel skills.
Ability to formulate questions to gain customer and process insight.
Experience establishing management systems, such as work standards, process confirmations, meeting standardization, lineouts, and visual management.
People and culture experience, such as human resources, organizational health, or industrial psychology.
Experience with Agile values and principles.
Experience working on, facilitating, or coaching Agile teams.
Experience with Lean methodologies and practices.
Experience as an indirect influencer.
Digital product lifecycle experience, including business analysis, discovery, UX design, development, testing, implementation, support, and planning.

Responsibilities

Drive and institutionalize data-informed decision-making and performance optimization at scale.
Coach leaders, teams, and customers to independently run effective problem-solving and improvement routines.
Apply bottleneck analysis, RCA, Lean, design thinking, OEE, diagnostics, lessons learned, and best practices to influence decisions, enable action, and sustain improvement.
Shape systems that produce scalable innovation and guide structured thinking and storytelling to drive sustained action.
Influence and motivate operational behaviors and processes to support sustainment.
Coach others to build scalable structures and routines.
Facilitate multiple high-performing teams and initiatives.
Review equipment and process KPIs based on operational analysis and data evaluation.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Company-paid life and disability insurance.
401(k) plan with employer contribution or match.
Paid time off, paid sick time, and holiday pay.
Parental leave.
Tuition assistance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Discounted auto, home, and pet insurance plans.
Internal progression opportunities.
Additional discretionary and incentive payments based on company and individual performance.