Senior Manager Operational Excellence

Leonardo DRS; West Plains (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401K

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Leonardo DRS Land Systems is seeking a Senior Manager of Operational Excellence for West Plains, MO, with option to base in Bridgeton, MO and 50% travel to West Plains. The role leads OE initiatives and serves as SME, driving Lean/Six Sigma projects and cost savings.

Responsibilities include guiding the OE program, leading cross-functional improvements, and establishing KPI dashboards while ensuring compliance with regulations and company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field plus 5 years of Lean/Operational Excellence experience.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in OE or Lean.
• Industry certification in Lean Principles and/or Six Sigma.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, communication and writing skills.
• Willing and able to travel up to 40% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Guide and monitor the OE program ensuring alignment with leadership.
• Lead improvement opportunities using OE methods.
• Oversee process improvement events and monitor performance metrics.
• Provide SME in structured problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Establish KPI dashboards and track cost savings and project goals.
• Lead cross‑functional teams on continuous improvement charters.
• Ensure OE standards (DMAIC, Lean, RCA) are used for problem solving.

Skills

Lean Practice

Problem Solving

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Lean Principles / Six Sigma Certification

Tools

Six Sigma

Job description

The Leonardo DRS Land Systems business is a recognized leader in the design and integration of complex technologies into new and legacy systems and platforms for global military and commercial customers. We are a 5 year running Top Workplace in the Greater St. Louis area.

Job description:

Job ID:113966

The Leonardo DRS Land Systems business is a recognized leader in the design and integration of complex technologies into new and legacy systems and platforms for global military and commercial customers. We are a 5 year running Top Workplace in the Greater St. Louis area.

Job Summary

Leonardo DRS Land Systems is seeking a full time Senior Manager of Operational Excellence for our West Plains, MO location. This position also has the option to be based out of Bridgeton, MO, but would require travel 50% of the time to West Plains, MO. APEX (Always Performing for Excellence) is the Leonardo DRS Operational Excellence program designed to drive our culture, our way of life to a new level as the team strives for excellence in pursuit of top performance. The Senior Operational Excellence Manager supports the Business Unit on Operational Excellence initiatives and is viewed as a Subject Matter Expert and business partner.

Job Responsibilities

• Guide, maintain and monitor the operational excellence program and activities, ensuring integration and coordination with the Operational Excellence leadership
• Manage opportunities identified for improvement using Operational Excellence principles and methodologies
• Oversee process improvement events, define and monitor performance metrics, foster culture, and mentor quality team
• Provide subject matter expertise in structured problem solving & root cause analysis, leading complex investigations and teaching/coaching others in problem solving methodology
• Conducts briefings with and provide technical guidance for senior leadership and top executive management
• Establishes processes and ensure that these processes conform to the organization’s and/or corporate policies and procedures, values, and federal, state, and local regulations
• Lead cross-functional teams in defining and scoping charters for continuous improvement projects
• Provide advice and assistance to other departments as required
• Establish and utilize dashboards for KPI’s, track performance of Operational Excellence Cost Savings and Project goals
• Manage execution in support of 5S, Visual Controls, Risk Management, Change Management, and Strategy Deployment
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans
• Effectively communicate with team members, senior leaders and key stakeholders on the status, objectives, risks, and mitigation plans associated with projects, as well as ensure team members are aware of integrated project timelines
• Manage the Quality and Lean Six Sigma strategy to facilitate continuous production of products consistent with established industry standards, government regulations and customer requirements
• Ensure OE standards (e.g., DMAIC, Lean, Root Cause Analysis) are being used for problem solving (tools and methods) and daily continuous improvement. Champion use of KPI / metric management for data-based decision making. Identify and support individuals with interest in OE leading to development/certification of future Yellow/Green/Black Belts
• Improve overall business operations focusing on material flow, line balancing, lineside material presentation, and on deployment, and other lean manufacturing principles and practices
• Provide training in support of operational excellence objectives and the execution of chartered projects
• Support and drive Corrective Action Request responses and share best practices
• Manage budget, cost, schedule and rate of return for operational excellence activities
• Communicate clearly (written and oral) with customers, people and partners
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
• Attend appropriate customer or business meetings
• Other responsibilities, as needed by the organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field with a minimum of 5 years experience focused in Lean Practice and Problem Solving or Operational Excellence
• 7+ years of relevant experience
• Industry certification in Lean Principles and/or Six Sigma
• Proficient technical expertise with demonstrated application
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, negotiation, communication and writing skills
• Willing and able to travel up to 40% as needed

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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Profile description:

Leonardo DRS Land Systems division is a recognized world leader in the integration of complex technologies into legacy systems and platforms for military and commercial customers globally. DRS Land Systems offers a diverse portfolio of military products and technologies focused on battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance, survivability, lethality, heavy transport mobility, fuel and water distribution, radar and electronic systems testing. Headquartered in Bridgeton, MO with a 100- acre heavy equipment manufacturing facility in West Plains, MO, and a site in Goleta, CA.

We offer:

DRS Land Systems offers a comprehensive benefits plan designed to meet the needs of all our employees:

• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• Pet insurance
• 401K retirement plan
• Employee Stock Purchase plan
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Vacation & Health & Emergency leave
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Student loan repayment
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible work schedule