Director, NA Operational Excellence

Pernod Ricard; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Pernod Ricard is seeking a Director for North American Operational Excellence to enhance operational performance and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Manufacturing, particularly within consumer-packaged goods, and a strong background in operational excellence program leadership.

The role involves strategic direction, KPI tracking, training, and sustaining the change roadmap across multiple sites. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5+ years in a managerial capacity are required.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years’ experience in a Manufacturing environment, preferably in CPG.
• 5 years’ experience leading an operational excellence program (Lean Six Sigma).
• Experience in developing and implementing transformational change.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational performance and continuous improvement culture.
• Establish strategic direction for North American Operations.
• Train, coach, and mentor team members.

Skills

TPM or WCM experience

Analytical skills

Leadership and communication

Change management skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's in Business Administration

Job description

Position Summary

The Director, North American Operational Excellence will be responsible for influencing at all levels within and beyond the Operations organization to drive our North American Operations change roadmap. This role will drive operational performance by establishing a continuous improvement culture focused on waste elimination, process optimization, capability building and the relentless engagement of team members to take accountability for improvements and the sustainability of the change roadmap. The Director will be responsible for supporting the change roadmap from the ground up, including identifying needs, rolling out the program by training all levels of employees, tracking KPIs and more.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish the North American Operations change roadmap strategic direction, priorities and objectives to deliver operational excellence through the implementation of management systems, KPIs, scorecard and tracking progress towards goals and reporting of results.
• Ensure the roadmap is consistently delivered across multiple sites (7) and groups within organization.
• Identify tools to be implemented that best fit the objectives and opportunities to meet roadmap targets and drive standardization across the region.
• Define and implement data collection systems to ensure consistent reporting of KPIs and results from a single source.
• Train, coach, and mentor team members at all levels of the organization on the tools and methods to ensure the sustainability of the program.
• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing across the organization.
• Proactively identify and mitigate roadblocks.
• Design and facilitate mini transformations, Kaizens, training, and collaboration workshops.
• A hands‑on leader prepared to spend time in the facilities observing and driving change, including identifying improvement needs, providing hands‑on training to all staff levels and tracking the success of the program.
• Work with a variety of data sources, strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and high level of attention to detail.
• Other duties as assigned. Ensure compliance of Occupational Health & Safety Act (sections 25, 26, 27, and 28) per Hiram Walker & Son’s Ltd Policy‑Management‑Supervision‑Worker Safety Responsibilities.
• Ensure that all aspects of the ISO 18001, 9001, 2200, 14001 programs are delivered on time.
• Ensure timely corrective action on all observations and non‑conformances.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Experience working with TPM or WCM with examples of implemented practices.
• Experience in a large, sophisticated, tier one manufacturing operation that is complex, multi‑location. CPG background is preferred.
• The ability to manage and improve present‑day operations while, at the same time, planning the long‑term strategy.
• Very strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills with a variety of cross‑functional teams at all levels of the organization.
• Outstanding project leadership and organizational skills.
• Experience in analyzing complex business and financial requirements, and in helping an organization successfully implement and transition through change.
• Proven people leadership and team‑building capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional change management skills adopting and implementing tools and programs.

Education

Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

Preferred

Masters, Business Administration.

Experience

Required: 5 to 10 years’ experience leading in a Manufacturing environment, preferable in consumer‑packaged goods (CPG).

Minimum 5 years’ experience leading an operational excellence program (Lean Six Sigma) in a Manufacturing environment.

Experience in developing and implementing transformational change.

Preferred

10 years’ operational management experience.

Financial Responsibility

• Overall managerial control and decision‑making responsibility.
• Determines and changes priorities in line with financial, business and organizational objectives.

Target Hire Date

2026-06-29

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Pernod Ricard USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It employs qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience, and does not and will not, discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based upon actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service or any other classification protected by law. Offers will be subject to United States local terms.

Pernod Ricard USA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Pernod Ricard USA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. To request reasonable accommodation during the application process, contact us at [e-mail].