Operational Excellence Engineer (OpEx)

ZRG Careers; Kentucky; On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ZRG Careers is seeking an experienced OpEx Engineer to drive continuous improvement within our DRIVE+ Management System in Youngstown, Ohio. This onsite role emphasizes lean transformation, process standardization, and sustainable cost improvements across manufacturing operations.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional CI initiatives, mentor site teams, and partner with finance to validate project returns, leveraging Six Sigma and TPS methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, or automation preferred).
• 5+ years in Continuous Improvement or Lean Manufacturing in an industrial setting.
• Experience implementing Six Sigma or Toyota Production System (TPS) methodologies.
• Experience in operations leadership or process engineering with a strong understanding of business strategy.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).

Responsibilities

• Develop, continuously improve, and own DRIVE+ Management System elements, ensuring governance through training, follow-up, and auditing.
• Identify, prioritize, and execute projects that improve KPIs across assigned areas.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts related to safety, quality, cost, and people.
• Support KPI development and tooling to improve them, ensuring proper audits.
• Partner with finance to validate project justification and success.
• Develop and maintain process and value stream maps for key manufacturing and business processes.
• Drive daily management methods and integrate improvement routines into operational cadence.
• Coach CI professionals and ensure sustainability of improvements through tracking.
• Coordinate and report improvement and cost-saving initiatives to leadership.

Job description

\"Relocation assistance will be considered for candidates who are interested in relocating to Youngstown, Ohio. This position requires an onsite presence in Youngstown, Ohio\".

Make an Impact With Us

We are seeking individuals whose passion and dedication match the strength and resilience of the products we deliver. The Operational Excellence (OpEx) Engineer will be a highly qualified continuous improvement professional with deep experience in achieving transformative results and working within a management system environment. This role is responsible for facilitating and deploying the DRIVE+ (OpEx Management System).

The primary focus is on defining regional strategy related to the deployment of corporate initiatives tied to lean management and advancing the maturity of the DRIVE+ Management System. The position will provide leadership to assist operating and maintenance leaders in identifying, prioritizing, and implementing projects, routines, and system elements that improve key business indicators.

This role will also provide expertise and support in monitoring, facilitating, leading, and training team members to work effectively within the system, including but not limited to methods such as 5S, TPM, standardization, workflow analysis, value stream mapping, maintenance excellence, and Six Sigma. The OpEx Engineer will track overall improvement progress and report as needed to local and executive leadership.

Your Role at a Glance

• Develop, continuously improve, and own assigned elements of the DRIVE+ Management System, ensuring compliance and governance through training, follow-up, and auditing.
• Identify, prioritize, and execute projects that improve key performance indicators across assigned areas of operation.
• Lead and/or facilitate continuous improvement efforts related to safety, quality, operational excellence, cost, and people.
• Support identification of KPIs and development of tools to improve them (flow complexity, purchasing methods, value analysis, etc.), ensuring proper usage through audits.
• Partner with finance teams to validate project justification and success.
• Develop and maintain process and value stream maps for key manufacturing and business processes.
• Drive daily management methods and integrate improvement routines into operational cadence.
• Support CI professionals across the facility in deploying metrics and management routines aligned with the DRIVE+ system.
• Ensure sustainability of improvements through coaching and performance tracking.
• Coach, mentor, and develop site resources to strengthen adoption of the management system.
• Coordinate and report improvement and cost-saving initiatives to leadership.
• Support strategic planning and lead high-impact improvement projects.
• Foster a culture of problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Lead training initiatives related to Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

What Sets You Apart

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, or automation preferred); business degrees considered.
• 5+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement or Lean Manufacturing within an industrial setting.
• Strong background in engineering or operations leadership with deep understanding of process flow, waste identification, and lean principles.
• Experience implementing Six Sigma or Toyota Production System (TPS) methodologies.
• Experience in operations leadership or process engineering with a strong understanding of business strategy.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and communicate progress effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with shop floor personnel.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).

What Powers Your Performance

Success in this role is driven by ownership, collaboration, and a continuous improvement mindset. Strong candidates will:

• Communicate clearly and constructively
• Collaborate effectively across teams
• Adapt quickly with a proactive mindsetl>
• Take accountability and initiative
• Demonstrate reliability and pride in their work
• Prioritize safety at all times
• Embrace feedback and continuous learning
• Maintain strong attention to detail
• Challenge the status quo and drive improvement
• Support and develop others

Qualifications

Education