Sr. Regional Ops. Excellence Manager - North

Refresco; City of Dunkirk (NY); On-site; USD 124,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match

12 Paid Holidays

Vacation Days

Short-term and long-term disability

Job summary

Refresco is seeking a Senior Regional Operations Excellence Manager based in Dunkirk, NY, to lead Operational Excellence initiatives across multiple plants. This role involves coaching staff on Lean and Kaizen principles, driving improvements in safety and productivity, and managing cross-functional projects.

The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, preferably in the beverage sector, and be adept in Lean methodologies. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including medical insurance and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years’ experience in Continuous Improvement (Lean manufacturing) required.
• Experience in beverage or food industry strongly preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or higher) ideal.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies and KPIs across regions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Champion a Lean culture.
• Teach and mentor employees in Kaizen methodology.

Skills

Multi-site experience

Lean deployment

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management or Operations

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SAP

Job description

Position Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Senior Regional Operations Excellence Manager leads the development and implementation of Operational Excellence across multiple plants. This role provides coaching on the Refresco Management System (RMS), Kaizen methodologies, and the broader Operational Excellence strategy, driving improvements in safety, first-pass quality, line productivity, yield, indirect labor, and maintenance. The manager is responsible for deploying change‑management initiatives, operational playbooks, and standardized software tools while enhancing talent capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. With a strong background in strategy deployment, this individual will actively teach and coach employees in Lean and Kaizen principles, including 8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, and Centerlining. Partnering closely with Plant Leadership, the Senior Regional Operations Excellence Manager will coordinate and execute key initiatives while collaborating with the Senior Director of Operations, Plant Managers, and North American and Global Leadership teams to drive sustainable operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to develop, standardize, and implement company strategies and KPIs across your region.
• Support the development of tools and processes to implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives and cost savings.
• Champion a Lean culture throughout your region and across the company.
• Teach and mentor employees—both CI and non‑CI—in Kaizen methodology.
• Drive cultural change by developing standardized training and mentoring others in Lean tools, approaches, and techniques to foster a culture of continuous improvement while enhancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost efficiency in production and office areas.
• Serve as a liaison to share and implement best practices across the organization.
• Coach and lead cost‑saving initiatives in collaboration with CI and Operations teams to improve safety, first‑pass quality, direct labor, yield, and indirect labor year over year.
• Identify and lead large‑scale projects to ensure successful implementation across the organization.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Identify high‑potential employees, coaching and mentoring them to lead and execute improvement initiatives while supporting their career growth.
• Assist in identifying and driving cost optimization projects to enhance operational efficiency.
• Operate cross‑functionally to assure information flow and understanding of overall process improvement direction and expected results.
• Work closely with cross‑functional team members to improve standardized dashboarding capabilities.

Required Skills

• Multi‑site experience, with a proven track record of overseeing operations across multiple locations.
• Demonstrated success in driving change, implementing sustainable improvements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing equipment operations and functions.
• Expertise in Lean deployment, including hands‑on experience with Lean methodologies and tools.
• Project management experience, with the ability to lead and execute initiatives effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with SAP is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a results‑driven mindset.
• Budget planning and management experience, ensuring cost‑effective operations and resource allocation.
• Leadership, independence, accountability, organization, communication, collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.

Competencies

• Leadership – Foster a culture of empowerment by building relationships based on trust, leading courageously on a day‑to‑day basis, and inspiring growth with a clear and ambitious vision that guides the collective effort toward success.
• Independence & Accountability – Take ownership of responsibilities, effectively prioritize multiple assignments, and work independently to drive results with minimal supervision.
• Organization & Time Management – Maintain strong organizational skills to manage competing deadlines, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness under pressure.
• Communication & Collaboration – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Adaptability & Resilience – Thrive in dynamic environments by embracing change, demonstrating flexibility, and maintaining focus in fast‑paced, evolving work settings.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management or Operations or related field required.
• 5 – 7 years’ experience in the Continuous Improvement (Lean manufacturing) and Training field required; beverage or food experience strongly preferred.
• Ideal candidate will have a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or higher), Kaizen expertise, and proven leadership in strategy deployment.

Working Conditions

• Visual/Sensory – Requires attention to detail, often with one or two senses at a time.
• Work Environment – Fast‑paced production plant with numerous moving parts; noise level requires hearing protection, temperatures can be very hot or relatively cold. The environment is structured and supervised.
• Mental Stress – Pronounced pressure from deadlines, project management, accuracy, or similar demands.

Travel Requirements

• Travel anticipated – 50%

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

Pay Range: $124,000 – $160,000, plus eligibility for performance‑based bonuses based on company objectives.

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Short‑term disability and long‑term disability
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Benefits
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time
• Well‑being Benefit
• Discount and Total Reward Programs

Equal Opportunity Employer

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Employment applicants are notified of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the “Know Your Rights” notice from the Department of Labor.