Operational Excellence Manager

LHH; North Carolina; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturer is seeking an Operational Excellence Manager to advance continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will optimize processes, enhance quality, and ensure compliance. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in operational excellence, strong knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and hands-on experience with quality management tools. This role is crucial for maintaining high operational standards and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or manufacturing engineering.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and quality systems.
• Hands-on experience with SPC, Root Cause Analysis, 8D, PPAP, and FMEA.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive process optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvements.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Quality Management Systems

Process Optimization

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field

Tools

SPC

PPAP

FMEA

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Operational Excellence Manager to drive continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. This role will focus on optimizing processes, reducing waste, and improving overall operational performance while also ensuring strong quality standards, customer satisfaction, and compliance with industry requirements. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in automotive manufacturing along with experience in both Lean transformation and quality systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across operations
• Drive process optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvements using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies
• Partner with production, quality, and engineering teams to improve process capability and product quality
• Support and enhance the Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 standards
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA), 8D investigations, and corrective actions for operational and customer-related issues
• Act as a key liaison for customer quality concerns, ensuring timely resolution and strong communication
• Utilize tools such as SPC, PPAP, FMEA, and control plans to reduce variation and improve product performance
• Track, analyze, and report KPIs related to both operational efficiency and quality metrics (scrap, rework, defects)
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, audits, and continuous improvement workshops
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive quality and process improvements
• Coach and mentor team members on Lean principles and quality best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or manufacturing engineering
• Required: Automotive manufacturing experience
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and quality systems (ISO 9001 / IATF 16949)
• Hands-on experience with SPC, Root Cause Analysis, 8D, PPAP, and FMEA