Operational Excellence Specialist

North-American-Stamping-Group; Portland (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

North American Stamping Group is seeking an Operational Excellence Specialist to drive TQPS deployment across facilities. The role focuses on coaching leaders, training teams, and promoting lean methodologies to reduce waste and improve process performance.

You will gather data, develop improvement plans, and ensure compliance with EH&S and quality guidelines while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 1 year related manufacturing experience.
• Working knowledge and experience in the application of lean principles preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with a developable mentality.

Responsibilities

• Support assigned facility(s) while executing the TQPS deployment plan.
• Support the development, implementation, and direction of the divisional or functional TQPS strategy together with manager(s).
• Leads and facilitates relevant team member training and development in coordination with HR.
• Assist in the facilitation of TQPS activities & training on an ongoing basis while coaching / mentoring TQPS Group Leaders, TQPS Team Leaders, and leadership.
• Ensures compliance with EH&S, Quality, and TQPS guidelines during all training, workshops, and events.
• Application, implementation, and promotion of ALL the TQPS principles & methodologies.
• Support & promote engagement of all Team Members relating to all aspects of the TQPS principles & methodologies and other areas as delegated.
• Gather data as needed to assist in the development of P-D-C-A implementation plans.
• Identify & make recommendations for reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Coordinate & participate in maintaining the TQPS principles for NASG.
• Promote team building through consensus while improving Team Member morale and relationships.
• Assist in developing standardized work, to include data gathering and implementation to streamline all tasks in conjunction with TQPS / NASG standard operating procedures.
• Participate on the safety committee as requested.
• Ensure proper documentation of all activities relating to maintaining & implementing TQPS.
• Updates of duties and tasks/responsibilities will be reported out as requested.
• Coach and develop the A.I. team’s mentor and leader to support TQPS principles & methodologies.
• Ensure all pre-specified documents are posted at Work centers and / or KPI on 2 Sided boards as requested.
• Maintain TQPS training material, Kanbans, training records, and supplies.
• Assist in TQPS training classes.
• Assist team leaders & facilitators in A.I. meetings.
• A.I. suggestions tracking for submitted and implemented ideas.
• Data collection and reporting for suggestions.
• Assist in development of before & after’s for implemented suggestions.
• Execute & assist with Tangible Cost Savings (TCS).
• Mentoring the TCS process and review cost savings to ensure they are correct and precise containing supporting evidence in alignment with the swimlane process map.
• Assist and mentor in data collection.
• Coach and mentor 5S audits.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Lean principles

Education

Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Posted Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 5:00 AM

"An Equal Opportunity Employer" It is the policy of North American Stamping Group to provide employment, training, promotion, and other conditions of Employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or status as a qualified individual with a disability or other status protected by law.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Supports implementation of TQPS principles and knowledge within NASG, enabling facilities to achieve significant business results by implementing the lean tools to remove waste. In addition to the utilization of the four capabilities of the operationally outstanding with respect to leadership in excellent process design, effective problem solving, knowledge sharing, and mentoring.

Leads events and workshops to deploy and transfer knowledge of the lean tools to move process performance closer to the ideal state (True North). Through coaching and mentoring, the division Operational Excellence Specialist works with leadership to teach & mentor TQPS principles in their subordinates, ensuring sustainability and continuous improvement. This position is responsible to lead and support deployment activities for their facility or function.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Support assigned facility(s) while executing the TQPS deployment plan.
• Support the development, implementation, and direction of the divisional or functional TQPS strategy together with manager(s).
• Leads and facilitates relevant team member training and development in coordination with HR.
• Assist in the facilitation of TQPS activities & training on an ongoing basis while coaching / mentoring TQPS Group Leaders, TQPS Team Leaders, and leadership.
• Ensures compliance with EH&S, Quality, and TQPS guidelines during all training, workshops, and events.
• Application, implementation, and promotion of ALL the TQPS principles & methodologies.
• Support & promote engagement of all Team Members relating to all aspects of the TQPS principles & methodologies and other areas as delegated.
• Gather data as needed to assist in the development of P-D-C-A implementation plans.
• Identify & make recommendations for reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Coordinate & participate in maintaining the TQPS principles for NASG.
• Promote team building through consensus while improving Team Member morale and relationships.
• Assist in developing standardized work, to include data gathering and implementation to streamline all tasks in conjunction with TQPS / NASG standard operating procedures.
• Participate on the safety committee as requested.
• Ensure proper documentation of all activities relating to maintaining & implementing TQPS.
• Updates of duties and tasks/responsibilities will be reported out as requested.
• Coach and develop the A.I. team’s mentor and leader to support TQPS principles & methodologies.
• Ensure all pre-specified documents are posted at Work centers and / or Key Process Indicators (KPI) on 2 Sided boards as requested. (e.g. A.I. Story Board)
• Maintain TQPS training material, Kanbans, training records, and supplies (e.g. 5S Cart).
• Assist in TQPS training classes.
• Assist team leaders & facilitators in A.I. meetings.
• A.I. suggestions tracking for submitted and implemented ideas.
• Data collection and reporting for suggestions.
• Assist in development of before & after’s for implemented suggestions.
• Execute & assist with Tangible Cost Savings (TCS).
• Mentoring the TCS process and review cost savings to ensure they are correct and precise containing supporting evidence in alignment with the swimlane process map.
• Assist and mentor in data collection.
• Coach and mentor 5S audits.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 1 year related manufacturing experience.
• Working knowledge and experience in the application of lean principles preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with a developable mentality.

Personal / Technical Skills:

• Will have the ability to work a schedule that allows completion of the job on a daily basis.
• Organizational skills necessary to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to promote engagement in a team environment as a natural leader.
• Sense of urgency making improvements with consensus.
• Organizational skills necessary to maintain company records in compliance with all the NASG / TQPS systems and procedures.
• Demonstrate & promote a "hands-on" approach toward continuous improvement.
• Must possess humility to learn new processes and techniques.
• Must be data-driven and possess a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and data analysis.
• Demonstrate & promote a "Must Go See" environment with a "Want To" attitude for improvement.
• Maintain an open mind to team members suggestions and encourage use of the NASG suggestion program.

North American Stamping Group is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.