Specialist, Operational Excellence

S. Martinelli & Company; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) profit sharing

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation leave

Eight paid holidays per year

Long-term disability (LTD)

Job summary

S. Martinelli & Company is seeking an Operational Excellence Specialist in Watsonville, CA to drive continuous improvement across the organization.

The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity through Lean and data-driven initiatives. The candidate will lead waste-elimination efforts, optimize production flow, and implement sustainable solutions with measurable business results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 4 years of experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Operations, or Industrial Engineering.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools, including TPS, Six Sigma, Kaizen, VSM, TPM, OEE, 5S, and Standard Work.
• Demonstrated project management and cross-functional leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the site Operational Excellence strategy and Continuous Improvement roadmap.
• Lead and execute Continuous Improvement initiatives across manufacturing and business operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, daily management system, root cause investigations, process mapping, and cross-functional projects.
• Track KPIs and realized business benefits.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing to eliminate waste and reduce variation.
• Develop KPI dashboards and performance reporting.
• Lead Operational Excellence projects from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Develop project charters, business cases, timelines, resource plans, and risk assessments.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders.
• Monitor scope, schedule, budget, risks, and expected benefits.
• Communicate project status and validate financial and operational outcomes.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Data analytics

Communication

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations

Tools

TPS

Six Sigma

Kaizen

VSM

TPM

OEE

5S

Standard Work

Domo

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Specialist, Operational Excellence

Full Time 10 Admin-Exempt Watsonville, CA, US

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1364

Salary Range: $73,500.00 To $88,000.00 Annually

Company Overview

Since 1868, the Martinelli family has been producing award-winning apple juice. Located in the cool California Central Coast, the fertile Pajaro Valley produces the most flavorful apple varieties in the world. Since winning its first gold medal in 1890, Martinelli’s has received more than fifty gold medals for product excellence. Distribution of Martinelli’s Gold Medal® products now extends to every state in the U.S. and globally.

Job Summary

The Operational Excellence Specialist is responsible for driving continuous improvement, operational performance, and process optimization initiatives across the organization. This role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall business performance through Operational Excellence methodologies. The Operational Excellence Specialist leads efforts to identify waste, eliminate process inefficiencies, improve production flow, optimize equipment performance, and implement sustainable solutions that drive measurable business results.

Job Functions

Operational Excellence Leadership

• Support the development and execution of the site Operational Excellence strategy and Continuous Improvement roadmap.
• Lead and execute Continuous Improvement initiatives across manufacturing and business operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, daily management system construction, root cause investigations, process mapping, and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Track and communicate KPIs and realized business benefits.

Process Improvement & Manufacturing Performance

• Improve throughput, cycle time, yield, labor productivity, capacity utilization, and OEE.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing methodologies to eliminate waste and reduce variation.

Data Analytics & Digital Enablement

• Develop KPI dashboards and performance reporting.
• Utilize analytical tools to support data-driven decision-making.

Project Management & Implementation

• Lead Operational Excellence projects from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Develop project charters, business cases, timelines, resource plans, and risk assessments.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders.
• Monitor scope, schedule, budget, risks, and expected benefits.
• Communicate project status and validate financial and operational outcomes.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 4 years of experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Operations, or Industrial Engineering.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools, including TPS, Six Sigma, Kaisen, VSM, TPM, OEE, 5S, and Standard Work.
• Demonstrated project management and cross-functional leadership experience.

Preferred Skills (Not Required)

• Experience with Daily Management Systems and Principals.
• RedZone or line monitoring software experience.
• Domo, Tableau, Power BI, or other visualization software experience.

Company Standard Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with Company staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to assume responsibility and exercise good judgment in making decisions within the scope of authority of the position.
• Ability to readily adapt to changing priorities and take direction from more than one staff member.
• Ability to think and work effectively under pressure and accurately complete tasks within established times.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to prioritize tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and ensure that work is accomplished in the time frames required.
• Ability to be highly organized and provide careful attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to exercise individual initiative and discretion in confidential matters and to respect confidential matters.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to pass background checks, physical, and drug screening.

All Employees Are Expected To

• Comply with all Company safety requirements
• Adhere to all Company policies and procedures

Upon meeting eligibility requirements, the Company offers the following: healthinsurance coverage, LTD, 401(k) profit share contributions, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, and eight (8) paid holidays per year. Eligible employees may also make 401(k) elective deferral contributions and may elect a co-pay plan for health insurance coverage for eligible dependents.

Disclaimer

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and other duties as assigned.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

S. Martinelli & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status

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