Operation Excellence Technician I- 1st Shift

Medtronic; Plymouth (MN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Medtronic in Plymouth, Minnesota is seeking an Operational Excellence Technician I to support lean manufacturing initiatives on the shop floor. The role collaborates with production, engineering and operations to identify opportunities and implement practical, measured improvements that enhance safety, quality and productivity.

You will conduct cycle time studies and shop floor observations, participate in kaizen events and help sustain standard work across the site, applying 5S and visual

Qualifications

• 0 years of relevant technical experience.
• No Minimum Education requirement.
• Experience applying lean manufacturing tools and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of 5S principles, visual management, and the eight wastes of lean manufacturing.
• Experience conducting cycle time studies, work measurement, or process analysis activities.
• Yellow Belt certification or experience supporting structured problem-solving initiatives.
• Effective communication and presentation skills when working with cross-functional teams.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.

Responsibilities

• Support deployment of lean manufacturing initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Implement and sustain 5S, visual management, cable management, and other workplace organization systems.
• Participate in kaizen events and continuous improvement projects to improve operational performance.
• Conduct cycle time studies, work observations, and process analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist engineering and operations teams in developing and implementing manufacturing improvements.
• Support problem-solving activities using structured improvement methodologies.
• Install, repair, maintain, or upgrade manufacturing aids and infrastructure that support production operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to sustain improvements and standard work practices.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

5S

Visual management

Kaizen

Cycle time studies

Problem solving

Shop floor observations

Microsoft Office

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Word

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 2 Oct 2026

Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.

At Plymouth Nathan Lane, we manufacture life-sustaining stents, catheters, and medical devices supporting Medtronic's Peripheral Vascular Health Operating Unit. The Operational Excellence (OPEX) team partners closely with Manufacturing Operations to drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, delivery, and productivity across the site.

This role is based in Plymouth, Minnesota and requires hands-on support within the manufacturing environment. The position is onsite five days per week and collaborates with production, engineering, and operations teams to implement lean manufacturing solutions and improve operational performance.

The Operational Excellence Technician I supports manufacturing improvement initiatives by applying lean manufacturing principles, conducting shop floor observations, and implementing practical solutions that improve efficiency and workflow. This role works closely with operations and engineering teams to identify opportunities, support problem-solving activities, and sustain continuous improvement efforts across the manufacturing floor.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support deployment of lean manufacturing initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Implement and sustain 5S, visual management, cable management, and other workplace organization systems.
• Participate in kaizen events and continuous improvement projects to improve operational performance.
• Conduct cycle time studies, work observations, and process analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist engineering and operations teams in developing and implementing manufacturing improvements.
• Support problem-solving activities using structured improvement methodologies.
• Install, repair, maintain, or upgrade manufacturing aids and infrastructure that support production operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to sustain improvements and standard work practices.

Required Qualifications

• 0 years of relevant technical experience
• No Minimum Education requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying lean manufacturing tools and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of 5S principles, visual management, and the eight wastes of lean manufacturing.
• Experience conducting cycle time studies, work measurement, or process analysis activities.
• Yellow Belt certification or experience supporting structured problem-solving initiatives.
• Effective communication and presentation skills when working with cross-functional teams.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.

For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship

At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package

A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$44,000.00 - $66,000.00

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Operations Incentive Plan (OIP).

The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.

Further details are available at the link below:

Medtronic Benefits And Compensation Plans

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.