Senior Manager, Operational Excellence & Engineering

Apogee Enterprises Inc; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

401(k) with employer match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Apogee Architectural Metals seeks a Sr. Operational Excellence and Engineering Manager to deploy and sustain the AMS across multiple sites, driving safety, quality, and cost improvements. This leader will guide engineering teams, standardize processes, and embed CI across operations.

The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to close gaps, lead Kaizen and DMAIC initiatives, and deliver sustained results with strong leadership presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across assigned manufacturing sites.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

A3/PDCA

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Excel

BI tools

Job description

Apogee Architectural Metals

Position Summary

The Sr. Operational Excellence and Engineering Manager leads the deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across manufacturing operations. This role is accountable for driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost by applying disciplined problem solving, standard work, and engineering-based solutions. Additionally, this role has greater responsibility to drive standardization and alignment across multiple sites for one or more of the following, Capital Spend and Budget Management, Strategic Business Infrastructure Project Management, Manufacturing Process Consistency, or Facilitation and Implementation of Continuous Improvement Initiatives.

The role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to identify performance gaps, prioritize improvement work, and embed AMS principles into daily operations. In addition, the position provides technical leadership for manufacturing engineering, ensuring ownership and continuous improvement of core manufacturing systems and capabilities.

Success in this role requires strong leadership presence, clear prioritization, and a hands-on approach to execution. The Operational Excellence and Engineering Manager builds credibility with manufacturing leaders, supports effective change adoption, and delivers sustained operational results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment and sustainment of the Apogee Management System (AMS) across assigned manufacturing sites
• Coach and develop supervisors, engineers, and operators in continuous improvement behaviors, standard work, and problem-solving discipline
• Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, throughput, scrap reduction, and cost through structured improvement initiatives
• Partner with plant leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement work aligned with business goals and operational metrics
• Facilitate and apply operational excellence methods (e.g., Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, visual management) to embed continuous improvement into daily operations
• Apply structured problem-solving approaches (A3, PDCA, DMAIC, root cause analysis) to resolve operational issues and prevent recurrence
• Analyze production, quality, and labor data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities
• Lead change adoption efforts to ensure improvements are implemented consistently and sustained across departments and shifts
• Track, communicate, and report results of improvement initiatives, including performance gains and cost savings
• Provide multi-site ownership of Capital Spending Management, Strategic Business Infrastructure Project Management, Manufacturing Process Consistency, or Facilitation and Implementation of Continuous Improvement Initiatives as directed.

Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Provide technical ownership and governance of paint, anodize, thermal, and extrusion processes, standards, and best practices
• Provide technical expertise in order to support problem solving, develop new products, and developing standards for supporting the implementation of automation systems
• Lead process capability, yield, scrap, and throughput improvements across these technologies
• Support new product introductions, equipment selection, and capital projects related to paint, anodize, thermal, and extrusion operations
• Previous experience and participation within AAC (Aluminum Anodizers Council), NASF (National Association for Surface Finishing), or IFCA (Industrial Finishing & Coating Association) is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Core Skills

Ability to influence without authority and work effectively across all levels of the organization

Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable improvements

Effective communication, facilitation, and coaching skills to drive understanding and adoption

Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work across operations, engineering, and support functions

Proficiency with standard productivity and data tools (e.g., Excel, BI tools, manufacturing systems)

Strong Project Management skills, including project planning, structured cadence, risk mitigation, action management, scope clarity, and deadline management

Leadership Attributes

Results-oriented with a strong sense of accountability for outcomes

Organized and able to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously

Adaptable and effective in a changing, fast-paced manufacturing environment

Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Education and Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field

Experience

Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment, with demonstrated impact on operational performance

Minimum of 5 years' experience in Anodize, Paint, or coating manufacturing

Owns a capability across the segment

Leads portfolios and multi-year transformational roadmaps.

Influences plant and functional leaders

Owns business cases, investment decisions, and benefits realization

Establishes governance and common standards

Strong working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and operational excellence frameworks, applied in real operating environments

Experience leading Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement efforts from identification through sustained results

Work Environment/Travel Requirements

• Frequent exposure to manufacturing environment
• Overnight travel will vary based on projects and business needs and is expected to average up to 10%, including approximately one week per quarter and occasional additional travel for corporate meetings or training.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Lift up to 10 lbs.

Our Benefits

We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.