Operational Excellence Manager

Ventura Foods; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision

Profit Sharing

401(k) matching

Paid Vacation

Employee Assistance Programs

Job summary

Ventura Foods is seeking an Operational Excellence Manager in Waukesha, WI to lead site-level Lean Six Sigma programs, coach leadership, and accelerate continuous improvement across production. You will collaborate with engineering, quality, maintenance, and finance to drive strategic CI initiatives, establish standardized practices, and ensure food-safety compliance.

The role emphasizes developing organizational capability, applying Kaizen and Six Sigma, and sustaining transformational gains

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Operations Management.
• 5+ years of experience in Engineering, Business, Operations Management.
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement strategy and advance operational excellence at the plant.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Finance, Maintenance, Engineering Managers to prioritize Continuous Improvement at the site.
• Be a role model for trust, participation and accountability.
• Consult on Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen to identify best practices and simplify work.
• Provide coaching to site and above-site leadership during change and transformation.
• Determine priorities for process improvements impacting production and business results; oversee CI resources.
• Monitor improvement progress and sustain gains through metrics and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma tools to improve plant performance and meet operations customers.
• Ensure compliance with SQF, GMPs, HACCP, FSMA and preventive controls.

Skills

Six Sigma

Lean

Kaizen

Leadership

Coaching

Organizational Development

Change Management

Project management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel & PowerPoint)

Job description

Operational Excellence Manager

Location: Waukesha, WI, US, 53186

Position Summary:

The Plant OpEx Manager will be responsible for accelerating operational excellence change efforts at the production plant by leading organizational/leadership development processes, promoting employee engagement and driving quality and productivity improvements. As part of the Plant Leadership Team the OpEx Manager will provide necessary coaching to the team and other individuals regarding organizational effectiveness, operational improvements, continuous improvement methodology, and execution of best practices. Provide influential leadership to support departments to gain results throughout the site.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for implementing strategy and guiding advancement of operational excellence at the plant.
• Collaborate with the Production, Quality, Finance, Maintenance, Enginnering Managers and others at the location to understand site business priorities/goals and use this knowledge to prioritize Continuous Improvement activity at the production location.
• Be a role model for the mindsets and behaviors necessary to create an environment of trust, participation and accountability.
• Consult on Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen methodology leaders to identify best practices and to simplify and standardize work to deliver improved performance.
• Actively review site practices to identify opportunities and advise on appropriate organizational interventions, i.e. training, coaching, etc. for improving site systems and practices to achieve desired outcomes. Build a coaching culture and provide individual coaching to site and above site leadership throughout the change and transformation process.
• Guide locations in determining the priorities for process improvements that impact production and business results and champion waste elimination and reduction. Responsible for the oversight and direct supervision of assigned plant continuous improvement resources.
• Build a coaching culture and provide individual coaching to site and above site leadership throughout the change and transformation process.
• Monitor improvement progress and sustain transformational gains over time through continued metric review and consultation with key stakeholders.
• Lead improvement projects utilizing standardized Lean Six Sigma tools and methods to improve plant performance and achieve results for operations customers.
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management required.
• 5+ years of experience in Engineering, Business, Operations Management.
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Professional certifications and experience especially helpful in the field of Autonomous Maintenance, Training Development, Organizational Development, Coaching, Lean and Change Management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and implement organizational and cultural change and deliver results. Results oriented with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret information from a variety of sources.
• Be a recognized role model in key leadership development skills of feedback, coaching, listening, empowerment and difficult conversations.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and solution focused problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills which include building rapport and maintaining strong relationships across all levels, sensitivity to individual and team needs, collaborating effectively to accomplish work, effective facilitation and teaching skills.
• Project management capability with effective time management skills and ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities.
• Knowledge and strong working competence in Microsoft Office (Excel & PowerPoint).

Why Join Us:
Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provideready-to-goproduct solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs

Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s)and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.

Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.

Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used inoperations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Diversity & Inclusion:
Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace

Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.