Sr. Manager, Operations Excellence

Associated Materials Innovations; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accelerated Growth

Executive Mentorship

Diverse Experience

Company Culture

Job summary

Associated Materials Innovations (AMI) seeks an Operations Excellence Manager to lead continuous improvement across manufacturing. You will drive significant safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements using Lean methodologies, acting as a mentor and change agent across plants.

This role reports to the VP of Operations in a dynamic, multi-plant environment. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of manufacturing leadership, strong Lean/CI experience, and the ability to engage teams at all levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business or related field required; master's preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven Lean/CI project delivery with measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and sustain continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.
• Drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements via Lean methods.
• Mentor supervisors and staff; develop leadership capabilities.
• Participate in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost control.
• Collaborate with Plant Managers to deploy strategy and KPIs.

Skills

Strategic & Analytical

Technical Proficiency

Leadership

Communication

Accountability

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/operations/business

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Kaizen

5S

VSM

Job description

Join the Associated Materials Innovations team at Associated Materials, LLC, and be AMazing with us!

Sr. Manager/Operations Excellence / Relocation Assistance available

Please note: We are unable to support employment based visa sponsorship; therefore you must be a US Citizen or valid US Green Card holder.

Who We Are

At Associated Materials Innovations, we combine our rich history in innovation with an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement of the customer experience. For decades, we have provided vinyl windows, siding, and metal building products that have helped build homes and communities across North America.

As a leading manufacturer of exterior building products and preferred product manufacturer for Alside, you'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas in a welcoming and supportive work environment driven by safety and our core values. Join the AMI team where you can be AMazing as we shape our future together.

Position Summary

The Operations Excellence Manager will lead, implement, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations.

This role is responsible for driving significant and measurable improvements in key performance indicators related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost through the application of Lean methodologies. The ideal candidate is a skilled change agent and mentor who can effectively engage and influence teams at every level to achieve and sustain operational excellence.

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the role will be immersed in a dynamic, multi-plant environment, building an end-to-end understanding of our business.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Immerse yourself in all facets of plant operations, gaining expertise in production, maintenance, supply chain, quality, and engineering through a structured rotation. Take increasing ownership of daily plant performance, driving results across key metrics (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People).
• Strategic Project Management: Partner with the Plant Managers and VP of Operations to lead and execute strategic projects aligned with corporate goals. Support the deployment of Hoshin Kanri (strategy deployment), translating high-level objectives into actionable, plant-level plans.
• Continuous Improvement (CI): Champion a culture of Continuous Improvement by leading and supporting Lean and CI initiatives. Facilitate Kaizen events, implement standard work, establish daily management systems, and drive waste reduction activities to optimize processes.
• Performance and Analysis: Conduct root cause analysis to identify systemic issues and implement effective corrective actions. Track and report project progress, quantifying improvements in cost savings, productivity, and throughput to demonstrate tangible business impact.
• Talent Development: Supervise, mentor, and coach supervisors, team leaders, and staff, building their leadership capabilities and fostering a culture of accountability and engagement.
• Financial Acumen: Participate actively in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost control initiatives, gaining the necessary experience for future P&L ownership.
• Compliance and Quality: Ensure all operations meet quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Performance Management: Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of improvement projects and ensure the sustainability of results.
• Change Management: Actively drive and facilitate a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Work with cross-functional teams to manage the change process effectively and overcome resistance.
• Problem Solving: Utilize advanced problem-solving techniques, such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), to address complex manufacturing challenges and implement corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business or a related technical field is required. A master's degree is preferred.
• Experience:
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment with multi-functional exposure.
• A proven track record of success in operations management or similar roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean/Continuous Improvement projects with measurable outcomes.
• Experience in extrusion manufacturing is a plus but not required.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic & Analytical: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of process improvement tools (Kaizen, 5S, VSM, etc.) and proficiency with data analysis tools.
• Leadership: A highly motivated and effective leader with the ability to build rapport and drive team excellence. A hands‑on, resilient, and collaborative approach is essential.
• Communication: Excellent communication and facilitation abilities, capable of engaging with all levels of the organization, from the plant floor to the executive suite.
• Accountability: A results-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes.

What We Offer

• Accelerated Growth: A structured and intentional development path designed to prepare you for future Plant Manager responsibilities.
• Executive Mentorship: Direct and dedicated mentorship from the VP of Operations and other experienced Plant Managers.
• Diverse Experience: Exposure to a variety of products, processes, and best practices across our network of 10 plants.
• Company Culture: A challenging and supportive environment focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

About Us

When you join AMI, you are part of a leading North American manufacturing business of vinyl windows, cladding, metal siding, trim and other essential exterior building products for residential, light commercial and multifamily projects. In 2022, we introduced our composite cladding system, a first‑of‑its‑kind solution featuring exclusive (GP)2 technology. Headquartered in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, AMI is part of Associated Materials, LLC, which owns and operates 10 manufacturing facilities in North America including a distribution center.

Associated Materials Innovations ... Building Products Better

Associated Materials, LLC, provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance. We also make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees and applicants, as required by law.

Additional Information

The actual wage offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay parity. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.