Job Function:
Supply Chain Manufacturing
Job Sub Function:
Manufacturing Process Improvement
Job Category:
People Leader
All Job Posting Locations:
Anasco, Puerto Rico, United States of America
Job Description:
Position Summary
Responsible for leading the strategy, governance, and execution of manufacturing operational excellence initiatives that drive productivity, cost savings, quality improvements, and sustainable business performance across manufacturing operations.
This role provides strategic leadership for continuous improvement programs and manufacturing transformation initiatives by leveraging Lean Manufacturing principles, operational excellence methodologies, and business process optimization. The Director partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Site Leadership teams to identify and implement improvement opportunities that enhance efficiency, profitability, and service delivery.
As a people leader, this position is accountable for developing organizational capabilities, fostering a high-performance culture, and ensuring alignment of operational priorities with core values.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Manufacturing Excellence
- Develop and execute the manufacturing process improvement strategy aligned with business objectives and operational priorities.
- Lead enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, capacity, quality, and profitability.
- Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain leadership to establish long-term operational excellence roadmaps.
- Drive organizational transformation through structured process improvement programs and change management initiatives.
Continuous Improvement Leadership
Lead the deployment and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing methodologies, including:
- Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
- 5S
- Kaizen
- Single-Minute Exchange of Dies
- Total Productive Maintenance
- Root Cause Analysis
- Standard Work
- Visual Management
- Establish governance frameworks that ensure effective project execution and measurable business impact.
- Lead and promote a culture of continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.
Cost Optimization and Productivity
- Identify, prioritize, and implement cost-saving initiatives that contribute to profit optimization.
- Establish organizational standards for evaluating operational efficiencies and manufacturing performance.
- Monitor, validate, and report financial benefits resulting from continuous improvement activities.
- Drive resource optimization initiatives across labor, equipment, materials, and production processes.
Operational Performance Management
- Develop performance metrics and dashboards to monitor operational effectiveness and improvement outcomes.
- Ensure alignment between manufacturing objectives, operational KPIs, and business strategy.
- Analyze manufacturing processes, workflows, and operational systems to identify improvement opportunities.
- Oversee the implementation and sustainability of process improvements across sites and functions.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead and develop managers and senior individual contributors in a matrixed global environment.
- Conduct meaningful career development conversations, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning activities.
- Build organizational capabilities and elevate operational excellence competencies throughout the organization.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding manufacturing improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to align priorities, resources, timelines, and execution plans.
- Communicate strategic initiatives, achievements, and business outcomes to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
- Ensure effective governance, approvals, communication plans, and stakeholder engagement strategies are in place.
Business and Financial Management
- Manage budgets, resources, compliance requirements, and operational performance for assigned teams and programs.
- Support workforce planning and succession strategies to meet evolving business needs.
- Ensure initiatives comply with regulatory, quality, environmental, and safety requirements.
- Monitor execution timelines and deliverables to ensure successful implementation of operational initiatives.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s or equivalent University Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field required. Master’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related field is preferred
Required:
- A minimum of 10–12 years of relevant manufacturing, operations, operational excellence, or continuous improvement experience.
- Experience within medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, or other highly regulated industries.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in manufacturing operations and process improvement environments.
- Proven success leading complex transformation and operational excellence initiatives.
- Strong experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Advanced stakeholder management, strategic planning, and changing leadership capabilities.
- Experience leading teams in matrixed global organizations.
Preferred:
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
- Experience leading global manufacturing improvement programs across multiple sites.
Core Competencies
- Manufacturing Excellence
- Lean Manufacturing
- Operational Excellence
- Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Leadership
- Change Management
- Financial Acumen
- Project & Program Leadership
- Process Optimization
- Organizational Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Data Analytics & Performance Management
- Coaching & Talent Development
Leadership Expectations
- Create a purpose-driven environment aligned with the organization core values
- Inspire teams to achieve breakthrough performance through innovation and continuous improvement.
- Develop future leaders through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
- Lead with integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to operational excellence.
- Champion a culture of safety, quality, compliance, inclusion, and continuous learning.
Scope & Impact
- Leads strategic manufacturing process improvement initiatives with significant business impact.
- Influences operational excellence standards and practices across manufacturing sites and functions.
- Drives measurable improvements in productivity, cost, quality, service, and operational performance.
- Provides leadership to managers and senior professionals in a matrixed global environment.
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
Agile Manufacturing, Business Storytelling, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Compliance Management, Developing Others, Give Feedback, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Inclusive Leadership, ISO 9001, Leadership, Plant Operations, Process Control, Process Improvements, Quality Standards, Quality Systems Documentation, Resource Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Systems Thinking
