Regional Operational Excellence Manager

Land O'Lakes, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) and well-being resources

Education assistance

Job summary

Land O'Lakes, Inc. seeks a Regional Operational Excellence Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency across multiple production sites within a designated region.

The role partners with site leaders and senior management to identify opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and deploy Lean Six Sigma methodologies that deliver measurable ROI and sustained impact. The ideal candidate will lead Black Belt level projects, coach teams in OpEx principles, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• 7+ years of experience leading operational excellence/continuous improvement in manufacturing, supply chain, or production.
• Proven track record of 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead Black Belt level projects across multiple sites, 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 with baseline and ROI analysis.
• Develop operating systems, standard work, visual management, and governance across sites to stabilize gains.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

7+ years experience

Coaching / facilitation

Financial impact

Change leadership

Job description

Regional Operational Excellence Manager

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

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

• 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).

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Compliance

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

Contact for Disability Accommodation

For disability accessibility or disability accommodation help, please call our HR Solution Center at 844-565-4748, M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.