Operational Excellence Engineer

Apogee Architectural Metals; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Training and Career Progression

Job summary

Apogee Architectural Metals, a segment of Apogee Enterprises, is seeking an Operational Excellence Engineer to lead high-impact improvement initiatives across manufacturing and non-manufacturing functions. The role mentors teams, applies AMS methodologies, and drives cost reductions while aligning with plant priorities and safety standards.

This senior position emphasizes proactive problem solving, steady coaching of frontline leaders, and delivering strategic insights to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams.
• 3+ years in continuous improvement or lean deployment.
• 7+ years in continuous improvement or lean deployment (senior level preferred).
• Lean/Six Sigma deployment (preferred).
• Project management experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of Ops initiatives to improve performance.
• Create and implement new AMS standards and drive culture change.
• Lead large-scope initiatives across manufacturing and non-manufacturing functions.
• Coach teams in structured problem-solving and maintain rigorous standards.
• Analyze data to identify inefficiencies, constraints, and gaps.
• Collaborate with teams to meet project service needs and priorities.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Lean/Six Sigma

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Apogee Architectural Metals

Apogee Architectural Metals Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG), founded in 1949 and headquartered in Minneapolis, MN designs and delivers architectural products and services that enclose and enhance commercial buildings. www.apog.com Apogee Architectural Metals is a segment of Apogee specializing in aluminum framing, windows, storefront, curtainwall, and entrance systems. We provide integrated capabilities, including design, engineering, extrusion, finishing, fabrication and assembly, across North America. Through our brands including Alumicor, EFCO, Linetec, Tubelite, and Wausau, we deliver quality, consistency, and value-added services throughout our portfolio.

Position Summary

The Operational Excellence Engineer serves as a strategic leader, responsible for driving transformational change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. This role involves the development and execution of high-impact initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving overall operational performance. Drawing on extensive experience in AMS methodologies, the Senior OE Specialist provides mentorship to cross-functional teams, manages interns, ensures alignment of improvement efforts with organizational goals, and delivers strategic insights to leadership. The role emphasizes a proactive approach to identifying opportunities, implementing solutions, sustaining improvements to SQDCP, and champions the AMS culture. We are open to a Level II or Level III for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of Ops initiatives, driving significant impact on operational performance.
• Create new AMS standards and drive culture change across the organization.
• Lead large-scope initiatives across manufacturing and non-manufacturing functions by applying advanced problem-solving methodologies.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and coach in structured problem-solving, training and mentoring teams in a variety of tools while ensuring rigor, consistency, and sustainable results.
• Lead collecting and analyzing operational and process data to identify inefficiencies, constraints, and performance gaps; conduct research on best practices, technologies, and methods to inform solution development and investment decisions.
• Research, propose, lead and execute the creation of projects, defining timelines with safety, quality, and cost in mind.
• Work with the team to meet the service needs/requirements for each project.
• Serves as a trusted partner to all areas of the organization—leveraging real-time data, root cause analysis, and standard work optimization to resolve chronic issues, reduce variability, and enhance throughput.
• Trains frontline leaders in problem-solving tools and ensures improvement initiatives are tightly aligned with plant priorities and performance goals.

Experience & Skills

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Experience leading cross-functional project teams (required for a senior level).
• 3+ years in continuous improvement or lean manufacturing deployment.
• 7+ years in continuous improvement or lean manufacturing deployment (preferred for a senior (III) level).
• Lean/Six Sigma deployment (preferred).
• Project management (preferred).

Work Environment/Travel Requirements

Frequent exposure to manufacturing environment with potential exposure to confined space. Extended periods of office work on a computer and in team meetings. Regional day travel is expected with this role. Overnight travel requirements will be variable based on projects and business activities, expected up to 10%.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.

Our Benefits

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability).
• Incentive Plans 401(k) with employer contribution and match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time).
• Paid Holidays.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Wellness Program.
• Training and Career Progression.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer. By definition, Apogee means "highest point." It's no coincidence that it's also the name of our company. For over 70 years it is a name that has inspired and driven us to achieve a higher level of excellence in all we do. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We aim higher, think bigger, and endeavor to create even more value for every Apogee stakeholder. We strive to create peak value. Apogee is a leader in architectural products and services. Our glass and aluminum window, storefront and curtainwall systems make buildings look great, reduce energy consumption, and protect occupants and property. Our highly skilled team designs glass and metal building façades, completes massive orders for skyscrapers on time, and manages complex window, curtainwall and storefront installation projects. We are also a leader in the protection and conservation of all things framed and displayed. Our Tru Vue business provides high-performance glass and acrylic products for the custom framing, fine art, and technical glass markets. Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and our brands are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will received consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.