Operational Excellence Lead

gategroup; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401k with company match

Company sponsored life insurance

Disability insurance (short-term/long-

Disability insurance (short-term/long-

Voluntary life, accident, and hospital

Employee Discounts

Job summary

gategroup seeks a Senior Regional Process Owner to advance Operational Excellence across the North America region, translating global strategy into regional actions. You will standardize processes, drive improvements, and collaborate with global, regional, and local stakeholders to deliver measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities include leading standards deployment, governance, and continuous improvement programs, with a focus on automation, analytics, and capability building.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience leading complex process improvement initiatives across sites.
• Experience designing and governing end-to-end operational processes and SOPs.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, digital transformation, automation, analytics, or related technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional strategy and execution of Operational Excellence initiatives aligned to global priorities.
• Shape cross-functional frameworks and drive end-to-end process optimization and standardization.
• Advise senior leadership on process design, performance improvement, and risk.
• Oversee governance structures, program execution, and performance reporting.
• Mentor regional teams in Operational Excellence and cultivate data-driven decision making.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Lean Six Sigma

Change Management

Process Mapping

KPI Analysis

Executive Communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering

MBA preferred

Tools

Power BI

ERP systems

Excel

Workflow tools

Job description

gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board, and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents.

We work in an exciting industry – fast-paced and ever-changing. Industry trends and customer expectations are constantly evolving and it is critical that we are agile, innovative, and ready for change - and our people are our driving force. We offer attractive opportunities to be part of this fast-paced and truly international working environment.

For further information, please visit www.gategroup.com.

Job Summary

The Senior Regional Process Owner (RPO) serves as a strategic leader responsible for advancing Operational Excellence across the North America region. This role drives the regional translation and execution of global strategy while shaping, influencing, and continuously improving enterprise-wide process frameworks. This role is accountable for delivering measurable business outcomes through standardization, continuous improvement, and digital enablement, while fostering strong cross-functional collaboration across global, regional, and local stakeholders.

The Senior RPO plays a critical role in advancing process maturity, enabling scalable solutions, and embedding a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Annual Hiring Range/Hourly Rate:

• $120,000- $125,000/Per Year
• This position is eligible for incentive pay of 10% of the annual base salary, dependent upon successful attainment of company, team, and individual goals.
• Paid time off
• 401k, with company match
• Company sponsored life insurance
• Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts

Strategic Process Leadership

• Lead the regional strategy and execution of Operational Excellence initiatives aligned to global priorities and regional business objectives.
• Shape and evolve multi-process or cross-functional frameworks, driving end-to-end process optimization and standardization.
• Act as a thought leader and advisor to senior leadership on process design, performance improvement, and operational risk.
• Identify and prioritize transformational initiatives that deliver measurable business value at scale.

Standard Development, Deployment & Optimization

• Oversee the design, adaptation, and governance of regional standards based on global frameworks (SOPs, org design, staffing models, technology enablement, and KPIs).
• Drive end-to-end lifecycle ownership of standards including design, pilot, validation, rollout, and continuous improvement.
• Lead complex pilot programs and ensure scalable deployment across diverse business units and operating environments.
• Champion innovation and digital enablement, integrating automation, analytics, and technology solutions into process execution.

Program & Governance Leadership

• Establish and lead robust governance structures for assigned process areas, including compliance, audit readiness, and performance oversight.
• Drive program execution across multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring alignment, prioritization, and effective resource utilization.
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights on program performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Oversee gateOPEX readiness, compliance frameworks, and continuous monitoring of process adherence.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Building

• Lead large-scale continuous improvement initiatives leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and advanced methodologies.
• Build and sustain regional capabilities, including training strategies, certification programs, and knowledge management systems.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision making.
• Mentor and coach regional teams and emerging leaders in Operational Excellence practices.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree or MBA preferred. Lean Six Sigma certification strongly preferred.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience leading complex process improvement or transformation initiatives across multiple sites, business units, or functions.
• Demonstrated experience designing, standardizing, piloting, deploying, and governing end-to-end operational processes.
• Experience developing and implementing SOPs, operating models, staffing standards, KPIs, audit controls, and performance-management frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs and influence regional, global, and local stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience using Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies to deliver measurable business results.
• Experience supporting digital transformation, automation, analytics, or technology-enabled process improvements.
• Experience in airline catering, food production, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, or another complex multi-site operating environment is preferred but not required.

Technical Skills: (Certifications, Licenses, and Registration)

• Strong knowledge of Operational Excellence, Lean, Six Sigma, process standardization, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with process mapping, workflow design, SOP development, pilot testing, implementation, and change management.
• Strong analytical skills with experience establishing KPIs, analyzing operational performance, identifying risks, and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience with digital enablement, automation, business intelligence, and process-management tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and process-mapping or project-management tools.
• Familiarity with Power BI, ERP systems, and workflow or automation platforms is preferred.
• Project Management Professional, Prosci Change Management, or similar certification is a plus.

Language and Communication Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate complex operational information clearly to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, facilitate, and build alignment across global, regional, and local stakeholders.
• Strong presentation, training, coaching, and workshop-facilitation skills.
• Ability to listen effectively, challenge constructively, and build trusted cross-functional relationships.

Core Competencies Required

Customer Focus: Delivers prompt, courteous, and effective support to all users.

Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned tasks and follows through to resolution.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively and supports colleagues to achieve common goals.

Communication: Explains technical information clearly to non-technical users.

Adaptability: Remains flexible and calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Continuous Learning: Proactively develops skills and keeps knowledge up to date.

Job Dimensions

Geographic Responsibility: US

Type of Employment: Full-time

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the job being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. gategroup reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Candidates may be required to go through a pre-employment drug screen, criminal check, and/or airport fingerprinting.

gategroup – an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to workforce diversity and actively encourage all qualified persons to seek employment with us, including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.