Operational Excellence Manager

Magna International; Muncie (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna International is seeking an Operational Excellence Manager in Muncie, Indiana, to lead continuous improvement initiatives at the manufacturing facility. The role involves implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and driving operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a background in manufacturing, and experience in continuous improvement methodologies. This position offers opportunities for both personal and professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
• Knowledge of Kaizen and 5S methodologies.
• Strong skills in coaching and team development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects for operational efficiency.
• Train and mentor employees on Lean Manufacturing tools.
• Develop value stream maps to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support ISO and other quality management systems.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

6 Sigma

Value Stream Mapping

Job description

What We Offer

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry‑leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary

Transforming mobility. Making automotive technology that is smarter, cleaner, safer and lighter. That’s what we’re passionate about at Magna Powertrain, and we do it by creating world‑class powertrain systems. We are a premier supplier for the global automotive industry with full capabilities in design, development, testing and manufacturing of complex powertrain systems. Our name stands for quality, environmental consciousness, and safety. Innovation is what drives us and we drive innovation. Dream big and create the future of mobility at Magna Powertrain.

Position Summary

The Operational Excellence Manager is responsible for leading continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing facility to improve safety, quality, productivity, delivery performance, and cost. This role drives the implementation and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing principles, coaches employees at all levels, and fosters a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader who can identify opportunities for improvement, lead cross‑functional teams, develop employees, and implement sustainable process improvements that deliver measurable business results.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading continuous improvement, operational excellence, or Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, Kaizen, and 5S methodologies.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage employees at all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• Automotive manufacturing experience (Tier 1 or Tier 2 preferred).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related technical field.
• Experience with Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Layered Process Audits (LPA), and Training Within Industry (TWI).
• Experience facilitating training programs and improvement workshops.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with site leadership to develop and execute operational excellence strategies aligned with business goals.
• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Facilitate Lean Manufacturing initiatives including Kaizen events, 5S programs, standard work development, and process optimization.
• Train, coach, and mentor employees at all levels on continuous improvement tools and methodologies.
• Develop and maintain value stream maps and identify opportunities to improve flow and eliminate waste.
• Support changeover reduction, process standardization, and production efficiency improvements.
• Lead workplace organization initiatives throughout manufacturing, warehousing, quality, maintenance, and office areas.
• Support TPM activities and equipment reliability improvement efforts.
• Track and report continuous improvement metrics and project results to leadership.
• Facilitate cross‑functional teams to identify and implement sustainable process improvements.
• Support ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and other quality and environmental management systems.
• Simplify processes, procedures, and work instructions to improve operational performance.
• Lead and develop Continuous Improvement team members, including assigning work, providing coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What Success Looks Like

• Improved operational efficiency and productivity.
• Sustainable cost reduction and waste elimination.
• Increased employee engagement in continuous improvement activities.
• Strong adoption of Lean Manufacturing principles across the organization.
• Achievement of key operational and financial performance objectives.

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

AI‑Assisted Screening Disclosure

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision‑making.

Worker Type

Regular / Permanent

Group

Magna Powertrain