Regional Operational Excellence Manager

Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Arden Hills (MN); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Land O'Lakes, Inc. seeks a Regional Operational Excellence Manager to drive continuous improvement, lean transformation, and capability building across multiple production sites in the region.

A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt leader, you will partner with site leaders and senior management to identify high‑impact opportunities, lead cross‑site projects, coach teams, validate financial ROI, and sustain gains with governance and standard work; travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.
• 7+ years leading operational excellence in manufacturing, supply chain, or production.
• Proven financial impact from Black Belt projects.
• Strong coaching, facilitation, influence, and change leadership capabilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Develop regional Op Ex strategy and improvement roadmap with regional leaders.
• Lead cross-site Black Belt initiatives with measurable ROI.
• Coach leaders and teams in Lean, Six Sigma, and problem solving.
• Ensure governance, savings validation, and financial accountability across sites.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Project leadership

Change management

Coaching and mentoring

Strategic partnership

Travel readiness

Job description

The Regional Operational Excellence Manager is responsible for driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and strategic capability‑building across multiple production sites and/ or support areas within a designated region. This role partners closely with site leaders, functional stakeholders, and senior management to identify opportunities, prioritize high-impact initiatives, and deploy Operational Excellence methodologies that strengthen performance, quality, culture, and long‑term capability.

This leader is a subject‑matter‑expert in Lean Six Sigma, structured problem solving, and Black Belt level project execution, with strong accountability for ensuring the improvement initiatives are financially validated, deliver measurable ROI, and drive sustainable business impact.

Strategic Leadership And Partnership

• Collaborate with regional leaders, site leaders, and functional stakeholders to develop and execute a regional Op Ex strategy and improvement roadmap.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities with the highest potential business impact, balancing resources, timelines, and strategic priorities.
• Influence senior leaders to adopt and reinforce Op Ex systems, behaviors, and decision‑making disciplines.

Project Leadership

• Lead Black Belt level projects, including cross‑functional and cross‑site initiatives addressing systemic operational, quality, and cost challenges.
• Conduct advanced problem solving using Lean Six Sigma, statistical analysis, and structured improvement tools.
• Ensure rigorous financial validation of all projects, partnering with Finance to confirm baseline performance, projected benefits, and post‑implementation results.
• Establish and maintain operating systems, standard work, visual management, and performance routines across sites to stabilize gains and prevent regression.
• Proactively remove roadblocks to accelerate project execution and sustainment.

Capability Building And Coaching

• Coach leaders, project teams, and frontline employees in Op Ex principles, behaviors, tools, and problem‑solving methods.
• Develop and deliver Op Ex training including Lean fundamentals, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, daily management, and structured problem solving.
• Coach and mentor Green Belts, project leaders, and aspiring Black Belts; oversee certification processes and capability growth.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement and data‑driven decision making across the region.

Performance Management, Governance And Financial Accountability

• Partner with Finance to confirm savings, validate assumptions, and ensure alignment with corporate accounting standards.
• Provide leadership with regular visibility into regional Op Ex performance, including pipeline health, ROI, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Ensure adherence to Op Ex standards, project management discipline, and governance frameworks across all sites.

Required Experience/Knowledge/Skills

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.
• 7+ years experience leading operational excellence, Lean, or continuous improvement in a manufacturing, supply chain or production environment.
• Demonstrated success leading Black Belt level initiatives with validated financial impact.
• Strong coaching, facilitation, influence, and change‑leadership capabilities.
• Proven ability to drive cultural transformation and sustain long‑term behavioral change.
• 50% travel required for this position.

Salary Range:

$123,920 - $185,880. In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full‑time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well‑being resources. Most part‑time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled.

The company maintains a drug‑free workforce, including post‑employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.