Operational Excellence Specialist

Ball Aerospace; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan

Onsite work environment

Job summary

Ball Corporation exists to make bold sustainability goals a reality, turning ideas into progress. The Operational Excellence Specialist role is an entry-level development track with hands-on learning at the plant, focusing on standardizing management processes and leading improvement projects across shifts.

You will learn Lean tools, collaborate with diverse teams, and participate in performance reporting to support internal and external needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, Science, or Supply Chain or equivalent work-related experience.
• Job related experience in process improvement or project management; manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant standardization of the management system and train employees across shifts.
• Drive process improvement projects to boost productivity, throughput and quality.
• Mentor teams as facilitator and problem-solver on improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with plant teams to analyze processes and report performance.
• Learn and apply Lean tools (DMAIC, PDCA, root cause analysis, FMEA, kaizen).
• Support development and documentation of standardized work with training resources.

Skills

Lean tools

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, Science, or Supply Chain

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Operational Excellence Specialist

Company: Ball Corporation

Location: Waddell, AZ, US, 85355

Date: Aug 20, 2026

Job Category: Quality/ Continuous Improvement

Req. ID: 50660

At Ball, integrity and trust are the foundation of who we are. Guided by our core values —\"We Care. We Work. We Win.\"— we create a culture where every voice matters, and every idea drives progress.

Together with our global employees, customers, and partners, we’re turning bold sustainability goals into reality and shaping a future we can all be proud of.

Primary Purpose of the Position:

TheOperational Excellence Specialistis an entry level position. It is both, a facilitative leader and a learner, operating under the supervision of the Regional Operational Excellence Manager. The Operational Excellence Specialist is expected to be able to learn and understand the can making process and get involved with day to day operations at the plant.

The dual focus is on:
Leading standardization of the management process at the plant, working directly with employees on all shifts and teams.
Leading various process improvement assignments and projects that yield bottom-line productivity, improved throughput and better quality.
This is an entry level development role with an assignment of approximately 2 years. After 2 years, through solid performance, candidates may have an opportunity to grow into a Plant Supervisor role and a path to other future leadership roles.

Essential Responsible Areas:

• Plant resource to facilitate/execute plant standardization of the management system and work with employees at all levels to help facilitate, train and track implementation to standard.
• Leads and facilitates improvement teams, workshop teams, and individual improvement projects aligned with plant or department priorities:
• Participates as a team member, problem solving resource and group facilitator on plant or department improvement teams as required; also participates in daily problem-solving activities.
• Collaborates with plant team to conduct process analysis and performance reporting in support of internal or external client needs.
• Learns and practices Lean tools and techniques (DMAIC, PDCA, root cause analysis, risk assessment/FMEA, kaizen).
• Collaborates with plant training resources to support the development, documentation, training, sustainment and improvement of standardized work.
• Supports and facilitates adoption of best practices to eliminate waste and improve performance for assigned plant or function.
• Required to present, educate, train and facilitate at all levels and to external audiences.

Position Requirements:

Professional & Education Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, Science, Supply Chain or equivalent work-related experience
• Job related experience process improvement or project management experience; manufacturing experience (preferred).

Skills:

• Must be able to prioritize multiple projects, perform complex tasks, organize and follow through consistently and work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proven team builder and leader
• Strong written and oral communication, facilitation and presentation skills
• Ability to influence upward, across and down without formal authority
• Willing to take risks, challenge the status quo and work under ambiguous circumstances
• Intellectually, emotionally and logically capable and confident; has the intelligence and stature to quickly gain credibility and become a trusted advisor.

Knowledge:

• Computer based skills (MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Expected Hiring Salary Range:$66,700 - $93,160 (Salary to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.)
• This role will be eligible to participate in the annual incentive compensation plan.
• Please visit our \"Total Rewards\" page to learn more about Ball’s comprehensive benefits structure.
• Onsite Work Environment:This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site. Travel and local commute between Ball locations and other possible non-Ball locations may be required.

Ball Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage applications from everybody. All qualified job applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic.

Please note the advertised job title might vary from the job title on the contract due to local job title structure and global HR systems.

• Under Colorado, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania law, you have the right to exclude or redact age-related details—such as your date of birth, school attendance dates, or graduation dates from your resume, cover letter, CV, or other supporting documents (e.g., transcripts, certificates).
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visa, now or in the future, for this job opening.

* This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.