Operational Excellence Manager

Oldcastle Infrastructure; Fuquay-Varina (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CRH Americas Building Products is seeking a manufacturing process improvement leader to drive lean initiatives, capital projects, and efficiency gains across North Carolina and nearby regions. The role collaborates with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Environmental Health and Safety teams, with travel up to 75–90% between NC, PA, CT, and NY.

The position requires 3+ years in manufacturing, strong lean and leadership skills, and experience with ERP/MRP systems and AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of manufacturing experience ideally in precast.
• Lean manufacturing methodologies applied to support continuous production operations.
• Quality control/maintenance experience in manufacturing setting.
• Track record of achieving positive results using lean manufacturing techniques.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and project management tools.
• Strong leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, evaluate and improve production methods using lean tools and quality control standards.
• Identify opportunities for significant improvements at regional locations with operations and sales teams to improve profitability and competitiveness.
• Provide guidance and training to plant-level teams executing lean improvements.
• Drive manufacturing process changes with hands-on collaboration at plant level.
• Optimize plant layout and flow to reduce inefficiencies and costs.
• Lead plant improvement workshops to address bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Provide training on kaizen, 5S and lean tools and techniques.
• Track and follow up on identified improvements to ensure completion as planned.
• Translate operational needs into project requirements and specifications.
• Prioritize improvement opportunities using ROI, time, complexity, risk, and cost criteria.
• Develop capital project business cases and perform ROI analyses.
• Support plant leadership in prioritizing high-value opportunities.
• Manage project commitments and costs within budget.
• Ensure compliance with Operational Excellence framework and best practices.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Lean manufacturing

Quality control

ERP/MRP systems

AutoCAD

Project management tools

Leadership

Communication

Complex projects

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

AutoCAD

ERP/MRP

Project management software

Job description

Job ID: 527817
CRH Americas Building Products is reinventing what's possible in building solutions. We are the leading provider of innovative outdoor living products and utility infrastructure solutions for the water, energy, and communications markets throughout North America. We're a trusted and strategic partner to engineers, contractors, distributors, specifiers, retailers and homeowners alike as the manufacturer of precast concrete, polymer concrete, and plastic infrastructure products. Our portfolio of brands includes Oldcastle APG, Oldcastle Infrastructure, Belgard® hardscape, Echelon® Masonry, RDI® railing, Catalyst™ Fence Solutions, Sakrete® packaged concrete, Amerimix® mortar, Pebble Technology International® pool finishes, and Techniseal® sands and sealant technologies.
**Job Summary**
This position will be a key resource in developing and completing manufacturing process improvement projects, including lean manufacturing implementation and capital improvement projects at locations in the Mid Atlantic Region. These improvement projects will increase profitability, throughput, and quality; improving the Region's competitive position. This person should be self-motivated and able to work effectively in a decentralized and matrixed team environment. This position will work closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Environmental Health and Safety. This is a heavy travel role consisting of 75%-90% travel between North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York.
**Job Location**
This is position will be located near one of our plants in Concord, NC, Raleigh, NC, Fuquay, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Avon, CT, Telford, PA, or Croydon, PA.
**Job Responsibilities**

• Develop, evaluate and improve production methods utilizing lean tools, knowledge of product design, materials and parts, tooling and production equipment capabilities, process methods, and quality control standards
• Help identify opportunities for significant improvement at Regional locations by working with operations and/or sales teams to understand opportunities to apply lean process improvement initiatives and/or capital investment to improve profitability and competitive advantage
• Provide oversight and guidance, planning, training and mentoring to plant-level teams executing lean process improvement activities
• Drive manufacturing process change through active hands-on communication and coordination with plant-level teams
• Optimize plant layout and flow to reduce inefficiencies and reduce costs
• Oversee and lead plant improvement workshops to identify, diagnose and address bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production processes
• Provide training on kaizen, 5S and lean tools and techniques
• Provide follow-up and tracking to ensure identified improvement opportunities are completed as planned
• Translate operational needs into project requirements and specifications
• Force rank improvement opportunities - develop and implement project analysis techniques and processes to select opportunities that optimize the following desired attributes: Profit impact, Time to complete, Complexity, Risk, Cost to Implement
• Evaluate and prioritize capital project proposals in partnership with operations teams.
• Develop capital project business cases, including scope, justification, and financial analysis.
• Perform ROI analysis for capital and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support plant leadership in identifying and prioritizing high-value investment opportunities.
• Manage and approve project-related commitments and expenditures, monitoring costs to ensure budget compliance and effective financial stewardship throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure that the policies, practices, and equipment running in plants comply the Operational Excellence framework and best practices

**Essential Duties and Functions**

• Establish close working relationships with manufacturing personnel to ensure safety, quality, and productivity requirements are met by providing technical training and technical assistance
• Facilitate communication forums for plant-based subject matter experts and provide technical assistance to plant management and engineering staff who will manage non-major projects
• Ensure that the policies, practices, and equipment running in plants comply the Operational Excellence framework and best practices
• Identify and manage innovation opportunities for operations
• Lead preparation of assigned capital project white papers and scopes in cooperation with local and business leadership teams
• Administer standards for next-level plant design that support long-term commercial strategies
• Lead hyper care of large capital projects to ensure a seamless transition into plant operations
• Identify and support sustainability opportunities inside operations
• Work with Engineering, Operations, Safety, Quality on new equipment LOTO procedures and practices
• Develop and execute standard processes to evaluate, procure, assess, and install new plant equipment
• Conduct operational audits as requested by your manager

**Job Requirements**

• 3+ years of manufacturing experience ideally in precast
• In depth knowledge and practical experience applying lean manufacturing methodologies to support continuous production operations
• Quality control/maintenance experience in a manufacturing setting
• Track record of achieving positive results using lean manufacturing techniques
• Competency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, and experience with ERP/MRP systems and project management tools
• Effective team builder and leader with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team within a highly matrixed environment
• Ability to lead multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Working knowledge and experience with project management software programs
• Strong organizational and communication skills

**What CRH Offers You**

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• An inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion

**About CRH**
CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large international organization.
CRH Americas Building Products (ABP), a CRH Company, is an …
EOE/Vet/Disability
CRH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
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