Transformation & Operational Excellence Lead

Nextpower; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextpower is transforming from a solar tracker company into an integrated utility-scale energy technology platform. The Project Lead will define improvement projects, drive Lean and Kaizen practices, and coordinate with Operations, supply chain, planning, procurement, quality, logistics, and field teams.

The role reports to the Director of Operational Excellence & Transformation and requires expert project management, process redesign, and systems adoption to deliver measurable operating and

Qualifications

• 8+ years leading operational improvement projects in manufacturing, industrial technology, energy, or engineered products.
• Hands-on use of Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, A3, PDCA, process mapping, or comparable problem-solving methods.
• Strong project management, facilitation, analytical, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Experience supporting enterprise systems, reporting, workflow automation, or digital process changes.
• Ability to build business cases, establish baselines, and track benefits with Finance and process owners.

Responsibilities

• Develop project charters, current-state assessments, plans, milestones, owners, risks, and action logs for assigned initiatives.
• Lead working sessions and project reviews; follow up on commitments and elevate decisions or barriers to the Director.
• Maintain accurate status, issue, dependency, and benefit reporting for portfolio reviews.
• Map workflows and handoffs, identify root causes, and implement simpler, more consistent processes with business owners.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and apply standard work, visual management, A3 thinking, PDCA, and other improvement tools.
• Document future-state processes, controls, training materials, and ownership so improvements are sustained.

Skills

Project management

Facilitation

Analytical

Stakeholder communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business/Finance

Job description

Nextpower is transforming from a solar tracker company into an integrated utility-scale energy technology platform. The Project Lead will define improvement projects, drive Lean and Kaizen practices, and coordinate with Operations, supply chain, planning, procurement, quality, logistics, and field teams.

The role reports to the Director of Operational Excellence & Transformation and requires expert project management, process redesign, and systems adoption to deliver measurable operating and