Leader, Operational Excellence

BW Packaging; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

BW Packaging is seeking an Operational Excellence Leader to accelerate performance across manufacturing operations by applying Lean principles, structured problem solving, and disciplined performance management. The role drives safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements while building a culture of accountability and sustainable results through coaching and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate will eliminate waste, strengthen processes, and embed operational discipline across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 5–10 years of manufacturing ops/CI experience.
• Proven Lean/CI leadership in manufacturing.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent.
• Experience across multi-site operations and high‑mix/low‑volume environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean/Operational Excellence deployment across the site(s).
• Collaborate with leaders to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and rapid improvements.
• Coach teams in structured problem solving and establish standard work.

Skills

Change leadership

Data-driven decisions

Facilitation

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

About Us

BW Packaging is driving performance at the intersection of people, technology, and customer care. As part of the privately held Barry-Wehmiller family, we unite a global team of packaging experts with a clear purpose: People Who Care, Building Solutions that Perform. We take on our customers’ toughest challenges as our own — delivering both innovative and enduring solutions that set the standard for value and performance. Our strength comes from our people and the power of our brands — trusted names in packaging that are known worldwide for engineering excellence, application expertise, and lifetime commitment to customer success. Truly Human Leadership guides our belief that exceptional business results and profound respect for people together provide the foundation of enduring success. We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with our customers, earning their trust through integrity, expertise, and execution. With our full range of packaging solutions and long term partnership and service, we help customers achieve operational excellence today while building the future of packaging together.

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description

The Operational Excellence Leader accelerates performance across manufacturing operations by driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and team member engagement. This role leads the deployment of Lean principles, structured problem solving, and disciplined performance management in alignment with the BW Way. The leader builds a culture of accountability, standard work, and sustainable results through hands‑on coaching and cross‑functional partnership.

The ideal candidate is a strategic change agent who collaborates with operations leaders to eliminate waste, strengthen processes, and embed operational discipline across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the design, deployment, and sustainment of Lean manufacturing and Operational Excellence strategies across the facility (or multiple sites).
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities aligned with business goals (safety, quality, cost, delivery, and culture).
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and rapid improvement events.
• Coach teams on structured problem solving (A3, root cause analysis, PDCA, DMAIC).

Performance Management

• Establish and maintain standard work for leaders and team members.
• Identify and implement daily management systems, visual controls, and tiered accountability meetings.
• Partner with operations leaders to track KPIs and close performance gaps.
• Ensure improvements are documented, standardized, and sustained over time.

Leadership & Change Management

• Act as a trusted advisor and coach to operations leadership and front‑line leaders.
• Build continuous improvement capability at all levels of the organization.
• Influence without authority and manage resistance to change.
• Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous learning.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with safety, quality, engineering, supply chain, people, and finance to drive end‑to‑end process improvements.
• Support major initiatives such as capital investments, layout changes, capacity expansions, or automation.
• Ensure improvements align with compliance, safety, and quality standards.

Training & Capability Building

• Develop and deliver training on Lean tools and Operational Excellence concepts.
• Mentor continuous improvement champions and future leaders.
• Create sustainability plans to ensure long‑term adoption of improvements.

Safety Leadership

• Own and champion safety as a foundational element of Operational Excellence.
• Partner with EHS and operational leaders and team members to proactively identify and eliminate safety risks through engineered and process‑based solutions.
• Integrate safety into standard work, kaizen events, value stream maps, and problem‑solving efforts.
• Promote a culture of proactive hazard identification, near‑miss reporting, and employee ownership of safety.
• Support safety Gemba process, incident investigations and root cause analysis with a focus on systemic and preventive solutions.
• Follow all safety guidelines, including wearing required PPE, and maintain a clean, organized work area.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5–10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, or operational excellence roles.
• Proven experience leading Lean or CI initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean principles and tools.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive change in complex environments.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Experience supporting multi‑site operations.
• Background in high‑mix / low‑volume or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience integrating CI efforts with safety and quality systems.

Key Competencies

• Change leadership and influencing skills.
• Data‑driven decision‑making.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• High level of personal accountability and integrity.

At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.

Applicants may be subject to pre‑employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

Company

BW Packaging