Head of Operational Excellence & Lean Transformation

Jack Link's Protein Snacks; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 195,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k participation

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Link Snacks is seeking a Sr Director of Operational Excellence to lead the company’s continuous improvement strategy across all manufacturing sites. You will build a standardized framework grounded in lean principles, structured problem solving, and performance management.

You will develop CI training, tools, playbooks, and a network of plant-level champions to accelerate adoption, while tracking KPIs and cost savings across the network, with a strong safety partnership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, business, engineering, food science, or related field.
• 7–10 years experience in a manufacturing environment, including a leadership role.
• 5+ years in influencing roles, such as CI, Lean, or support functions.
• Experience with statistical process control, root-cause analysis, or other analytical methods.
• Training and hands-on experience with value stream mapping, kaizen methods, 5S, leader standard work, and other Lean tools.
• Project management experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver on timelines, budgets, and goals.
• Experience developing or implementing a MOS and CI program playbook across sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead the CI change effort and develop the Continuous Improvement strategy and roadmap across all factories.
• Establish a common CI methodology, tools, governance, terminology, and expectations.
• Develop CI training, tools, playbooks and learning programs.
• Build a network of plant-level CI champions to accelerate adoption.
• Track plant KPIs and develop action plans to close gaps.
• Own KPI visibility and ensure data is clear for leaders; simplify data with Power BI and SAP.
• Apply analytics to identify improvement opportunities and support decisions.
• Track cost savings and deliver against savings targets.
• Partner with Safety Director to embed safety in improvement work.

Skills

Lean principles

Continuous Improvement

Cross-functional leadership

Data analytics

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in operations/engineering/business/related field

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Job description

Link Snacks is seeking a Sr Director of Operational Excellence to lead the company’s continuous improvement strategy across all manufacturing sites. You will build a standardized framework grounded in lean principles, structured problem solving, and performance management.

You will develop CI training, tools, playbooks, and a network of plant-level champions to accelerate adoption, while tracking KPIs and cost savings across the network, with a strong safety partnership.