Director of Operational Excellence

Lean Focus; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lean Focus LLC is seeking a Director of Operational Excellence to lead continuous improvement across four manufacturing sites, driving Lean deployment, productivity gains, and cost reductions. You will mentor CI leaders, standardize tools, and align Lean with business goals.

You will report KPI improvements to senior leadership and guide cross-functional teams through automation and digital transformation to enhance legacy operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in manufacturing, including 3+ years in CI leadership.
• Proven experience with Lean tools: Value Stream Mapping, KPI development, Transactional Process Improvement, Strategy Deployment, 6S, Standard Work, FMEA, Problem Solving, Kanban, Visual Daily Management, 80/20.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement Continuous Improvement across four manufacturing sites.
• Lead Lean training and events aligned with productivity, safety, quality, and sustainability.
• Improve process flow, eliminate waste, and increase operational efficiency.
• Facilitate events and deploy Lean tools such as Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, SMED, and root cause analysis.
• Standardize CI tools, training, and metrics across all facilities including scorecards and KPIs, ensuring consistent application and measurable results.
• Reporting metrics and KPI improvements to senior leadership.
• Coaching and mentoring CI leaders and operations personnel at each site to build local capabilities in Lean.
• Driving problem solving culture across the organization.
• Collaborating with Plant Managers and cross-functional teams to integrate Lean efforts with business goals.
• Sharing best practices across site and encouraging a knowledge-sharing environment to accelerate results.
• Supporting the implementation of automation, layout improvements, and digital transformation initiatives to improve legacy manufacturing operations.

Skills

Value Stream Mapping

KPI Development

6S

Standard Work

FMEA

Kanban

Visual Daily Management

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems

MES

Job description

Our client is seeking a Director of Operational Excellence to join their growing organization. The Director of OpEx/CI is responsible for developing, leading, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role drives operational excellence by leading Lean and other CI initiatives focused on improving productivity, reducing waste, enhancing quality, and standardizing best practices. The Director partners closely with plant leadership teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement at every level.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Designing and implementing Continuous Improvement strategies across four manufacturing sites
• Ensuring Lean training and events align with corporate goals in productivity, safety, quality, and sustainability
• Improving process flow, eliminating waste, and increasing operational efficiency
• Conducting operational assessments to identify opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvements
• Facilitating events and deploying Lean tools such as Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, SMED, and root cause analysis
• Standardizing CI tools, training, and metrics across all facilities including scorecards and KPIs, ensuring consistent application and measurable results
• Reporting metrics and KPI improvements to senior leadership
• Coaching and mentoring CI leaders and operations personnel at each site to build local capabilities in Lean
• Driving problem solving culture across the organization
• Collaborating with Plant Managers and cross-functional teams to integrate Lean efforts with business goals
• Sharing best practices across site and encouraging a knowledge-sharing environment to accelerate results
• Supporting the implementation of automation, layout improvements, and digital transformation initiatives to improve legacy manufacturing operations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related field
• Minimum 7 years of experience in manufacturing environments including 3+ years in a CI leadership role
• Proven experience utilizing and deploying Lean tools including Value Stream Mapping, KPI development, Transactional Process Improvement, Strategy Deployment, 6S, Standard Work, FMEA, Problem Solving, Kanban, Visual Daily Management, 80/20, etc.
• Understanding of manufacturing cost and P&L; proven experience delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and cost
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams remotely or onsite
• Proficiency with data analysis, KPIs, and manufacturing systems (ERP, MES, etc.)

Lean Focus LLC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or protected Veteran status.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

At Lean Focus, we help businesses overcome their biggest challenges by transforming them for the better, and for the long-term. A "who's who" of global leaders in every industry, our clients include some of the world's most respected brands and several members of the Fortune 1000.