Operational Excellence Manager

Wanzl

$90K — $110K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering; MBA is a plus.
  • Expertise in Lean Manufacturing methods and Value Stream Mapping (VSM).
  • Six Sigma Black Belt certification with experience in project implementation.
  • Strong foundation in problem-solving methodologies.
  • At least 3 years in operations, continuous improvement, or OPEX roles in manufacturing.
  • Proficient in data analysis tools like Excel and Power BI.
  • Deep understanding of Industrial KPIs (SQMDC).
  • Proven project management skills with certification preferred. High-level communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

  • Deploy and maintain the OPEX program in line with corporate standards.
  • Lead Lean and Six Sigma projects to cut waste and boost operational KPIs.
  • Facilitate problem-solving sessions for recurring operational challenges.
  • Monitor KPIs and ensure accurate reporting of production and quality data.
  • Audit data integrity across various systems for compliance.
  • Drive digitalization of reporting tools and dashboards.
  • Plan and execute improvement projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
  • Develop and present training on OPEX tools for staff and promote continuous improvement.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and certification reimbursements.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
  • Engagement in innovative projects that enhance career growth.
  • Support for a culture of continuous improvement.
Full Job Description
Position Overview

The Opex Manager is responsible for leading operational excellence initiatives at the plant level, bridging strategic objectives with tactical execution. This role focuses on deploying the OPEX program, driving continuous improvement projects, and fostering a culture of operational excellence. Additionally, the Opex Manager will oversee performance monitoring and quality data auditing to ensure accuracy and compliance with company standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement


  • Deploy and sustain the OPEX program within the plant, ensuring alignment with corporate methodologies.
  • Lead Lean and Six Sigma-based projects to reduce waste, optimize processes, and improve KPIs, including operational performance and material flow.
  • Facilitate structured problem-solving sessions (PDCA, 5-Why, Fishbone) to address recurring issues.


  1. Industrial Controlling & Data Integrity


  • Monitor operational KPIs and ensure accurate reporting of production and quality data.
  • Audit data integrity across MES, ERP, and quality systems to guarantee compliance with company standards.
  • Support digitalization of dashboards and reporting tools (Power BI, Excel).


  1. Project Management


  • Plan, execute, and monitor improvement projects, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and budget.
  • Prepare project documentation, including charters, timelines, and performance reports.


  1. Training & Change Management


  • Develop and deliver training on OPEX tools and methodologies for supervisors and operators.
  • Drive cultural change by engaging stakeholders and promoting continuous improvement mindset.


  1. Cross-Functional Collaboration


  • Coordinate with Production, Materials, and Quality teams to ensure alignment and successful execution of initiatives.
  • Benchmark best practices and apply innovative solutions to enhance operational performance.


Skills and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. MBA degree is a plus.
  • Lean Manufacturing expert. Proven experience in VSM, identifying current state, future state, areas of optimization and required projects.
  • Six Sigma Black Belt certified. Proven experience in projects implementation.
  • Deep knowledge and proven experience on Problem Solving methodologies.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in operations, continuous improvement, or OPEX roles, within Manufacturing.
  • Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI).
  • Deep knowledge on Industrial KPIs (SQMDC).
  • Excellent project management skills, with a track record of successfully leading cross-functional initiatives. Project Management certification is a plus.
  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all levels of the organization, supporting organizational culture change management. Ability to Mentoring and Coaching, increasing Team's motivation and focus. Ability to facilitate Workshops and to manage high exposure presentations.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
Proactiveness and Flexibility are a must. Ability to be self-driven and self-motivated. Result-oriented.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Wanzl

  • Product Manager- Carts
    $95K — $115K *
    Newton, NC 28658 (Catawba County)
    Retail & Consumer Goods
    In-Person
  • Product Development Engr. II
    $80K — $95K *
    Denver, NC 28037 (Lincoln County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Sales Application Engineer
    $80K — $95K *
    Newton, NC 28658 (Catawba County)
    Technical Services
    In-Person
  • Sr. Project Manager
    $100K — $120K *
    Denver, NC 28037 (Lincoln County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Quality Manager
    $80K — $95K *
    Denver, NC 28037 (Lincoln County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Operational Excellence Manager jobs: