Operational Excellence Lead

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.; Vonore (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) is seeking an Operational Excellence Lead to drive Lean initiatives in our Tennessee plant. You will lead strategy deployment, coach teams, and ensure alignment with corporate goals for continuous improvement.

The role requires hands-on leadership, expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and change management, and a track record of delivering measurable efficiency gains through cross-functional collaboration across engineering, production, quality, and finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management; Master’s preferred.
• 3+ years in operational excellence or Lean manufacturing in a plant.
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment of Lean/Operational Excellence across the plant.
• Ensure processes align with corporate goals for operational excellence.
• Conduct workshops and mentoring to develop Lean capabilities.
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities via data analysis.
• Schedule and lead Kaizen events; coach teams on execution.
• Drive waste reduction, quality improvement, and cost optimization.
• Develop KPIs and present performance updates to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering, finance, production, quality, and supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Continuous improvement

Change management

Data analysis

Project management

Leadership

Teaching Lean

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations Management

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Operational Excellence Lead will lead the successful implementation of operational strategies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and promote a culture of continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment. This role requires a hands‑on leader with expertise in Lean methodologies, Continuous Improvement Programs, change management, and cross‑functional collaboration to align plant operations with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy Implementation:

• Lead the deployment of Lean/Operational Excellence strategies across the plant.
• Ensure alignment of plant processes with corporate goals for operational excellence and Lean manufacturing.

Lean Methodology Deployment:

• Champion Lean principles such as Waste Reduction, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, TPM, and Six Sigma.
• Conduct workshops, training, and mentoring to develop Lean capabilities among plant teams.

Continuous Improvement Initiatives:

• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities through data analysis and process evaluations.
• Schedule and execute Kaizen Events. Teach and Coach on how to set up, execute, and follow‑up Kaizen events.
• Drive initiatives that eliminate waste, improve quality, and optimize costs.

Change Management:

• Engage with plant leadership and staff to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
• Manage resistance to change by demonstrating the value of new practices and processes.

Performance Monitoring:

• Develop KPIs to track progress against strategic goals and Lean initiatives.
• Present performance updates and improvement outcomes to stakeholders.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with engineering, finance, production, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure integrated solutions.
• Act as a liaison between corporate and plant‑level teams to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans.

Compliance and Safety:

• Ensure all process changes comply with regulatory and safety standards.
• Promote a safe working environment through Lean practices.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience: 3+ years in operational excellence, Lean manufacturing, or similar roles within a plant environment. Experience leading teams of hourly and salaried employees.
• Certifications: Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) is highly desirable.
• Skills:
  • Expertise in Lean tools and methodologies.
  • Ability to be hands‑on in teaching Lean methodologies.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and process optimization.
  • Exceptional communication, coaching, and leadership abilities.
  • Ability to influence and drive change at all organizational levels.

Competencies:

• Problem‑solving mindset with a focus on results.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to inspire collaboration.
• Culture transformation mindset with an effective change management approach
• Resilient under pressure and adaptable to evolving priorities.

CVG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) is an equal employment opportunity employer such that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Visa Sponsorship

At this time, we are not providing sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of the job posting location on a full‑time basis.