Operational Excellence Specialist

Industrious Ventures; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with company match

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Discretionary Bonuses

Job summary

Hera Technologies is seeking a dedicated OPEX Specialist to optimize factory flow and drive continuous improvement on the shop floor. You will conduct time-and-motion studies, develop standard work, and lead TPM/5S initiatives to enhance throughput and quality.

The role focuses on safety, cost reduction, and value for customers through a hands-on approach, floor-based analysis, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 1–4 years in CI/manufacturing engineering or operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Conduct time studies, evaluate cycle times, identify bottlenecks and baseline metrics.
• Develop and maintain detailed Standard Work, SOPs, and work instructions emphasizing quality and safety.
• Serve as shop-floor CI focal, conducting process analysis and validating maturity to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Lead Kaizen events, DMAIC/8D/5-Why, collect pre-event data and implement improvements.
• Apply TPS and lean principles daily to eliminate waste and optimize layouts and methods.
• Support Visual Factory and 5S deployment and sustainment on all production centers.
• Collect, validate, and analyze production data to support project selection and KPI tracking.
• Coach and collaborate with operators, Production, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.

Skills

Time & Motion Studies

Standard Work

Process Mapping

TPS Principles

Kaizen methodologies

Lean tools

MS Office

Communication

Shop-floor coaching

Education

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

From Engine Bay to Payload, we protect vital structures and systems.

Hera Technologies is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in high-precision metallic and non-metallic solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, and Space sectors. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has positioned us as an industry leader in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of thermal support systems. Our team is driven by excellence, integrity, and a passion for advancing aerospace technology.

Take the next step in your career with a company committed to excellence, where your contributions are recognized, and your potential is realized.

Hera Technologies is seeking a dedicated, hands-on OPEX Specialist (Operational Excellence Specialist) to support factory flow optimization and drive continuous improvement across our manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Operational Excellence Lead, this role serves as an engineering engine to advance our site’s continuous improvement (CI) strategy, directly supporting our mission to deliver superior quality, high-precision aerospace solutions on time while fostering a culture grounded in operational excellence, integrity, safety, and teamwork.

The ideal candidate brings a solid foundation in industrial or manufacturing engineering principles, practical knowledge of the Toyota Production System (TPS), and a true passion for shop-floor execution. You will spend significant time on the floor conducting time and motion studies, validating process maturity, gathering data, and authoring standard work that drives throughput, quality, cost reduction, and continuous value for our customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Time & Motion Studies: Conduct rigorous time studies, cycle time evaluations, and process observations to establish accurate baseline metrics, track labor routing, and identify production bottlenecks.
• Standard Work Development: Author, optimize, and maintain highly detailed Standard Work, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and work instructions, ensuring they promote strict quality compliance, repeatability, and operator safety.
• Site CI Deployment & Process Maturity: Serve as a shop-floor focal for Hera's continuous improvement initiatives. Assist in conducting process analysis, shop-floor evaluations, and workflow validations to identify waste, improve throughput, and elevate site-wide process maturity.
• Kaizen & Root-Cause Problem Solving: Act as a tactical driver for Kaizen events, CI workshops, and root-cause problem solving initiatives (DMAIC / 8D / 5-Why). Perform comprehensive pre-event data collection, analyze current state workflows, and execute ground-level implementations.
• TPS & Lean Application: Apply core principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS) daily to identify and eliminate waste in processes, cellular layout configurations, and manufacturing methods.
• Visual Factory & 5S Culture: Support the physical rollout and daily maintenance of visual management systems (kanban, production tracking boards) and strictly enforce 5S methodologies across all production work centers to maintain a clean, organized, and safe workplace.
• Data Analytics & Productivity Tracking: Meticulously collect, validate, and analyze operational data (routing, labor tracking, yield) to support project selection, root-cause analysis, and project validation. Assist in tracking and reporting out site productivity project funnels to leadership.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Frontline Coaching: Partner closely with operators, Production, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure smooth rollouts of new standards. Coach frontline employees in basic CI methodologies to strengthen overall site competency, build trust, and drive a proactive continuous improvement culture

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Experience: 1-4 years of practical experience in a continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or operational excellence role.
• Methodologies: Solid understanding of Toyota Production System (TPS) principles, Kaizen methodologies, and foundational Lean tools (Value Stream Mapping, 5S, DMAIC).
• Technical Skills: Hands-on experience performing Time & Motion Studies, authoring comprehensive Standard Work, and utilizing process mapping to identify process waste and automation opportunities.
• Analytical Mindset: High attention to detail when collecting, validating, and interpreting shop-floor data, with a strong personal commitment to quality and accountability. Proficient in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Boots-on-the-Ground Operational Approach: Willingness and desire to spend most of the workday on the production floor observing processes, listening to frontline feedback, and executing practical solutions.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams, engage operators constructively, and align with Hera's collaborative culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume aerospace or defense manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality standards and regulated manufacturing environments
• Exposure to ERP systems and shop floor data integration
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Yellow or Green Belt)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime (weekdays or weekends)
• Ability to use a computer for submitting reports and tracking work orders
• Ability to maintain a clean environment
• Ability to work at heights using a ladder or scissor lift
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50lbs.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel.

Job Details

• Salary Range: $80,000 to $100,000
• Type: Full Time
• Business Hours: Core Business Hours
• Reports to: Operational Excellence Lead
• FLSA Classifications: Salary (Exempt)

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.