Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly analytical and results-driven Senior Strategic Operations Analyst to join our Strategic Planning & Operations team. This role partners closely with Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Procurement, Engineering, Corporate IT and business leaders to identify opportunities that improve organizational performance, optimize costs, and support long-term growth initiatives.
The ideal candidate combines strong business acumen with analytical expertise to evaluate operational performance, develop strategic recommendations, and drive cross-functional initiatives. This individual will play a key role in supporting operational excellence, resource optimization, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning efforts across the organization.
Key Responsibilities- Analyze business operations, manufacturing production process, various cost structures, and performance data to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, cost optimization, and operational effectiveness.
- Develop financial and operational models that connect business performance metrics to organizational objectives.
- Evaluate processes, workflows, and operational activities to identify performance gaps and recommend improvement opportunities.
- Partner with business leaders to develop, implement, and track operational improvement initiatives.
- Lead or support cross-functional projects focused on productivity improvements, resource utilization, process optimization, and business performance enhancement.
- Analyze key operational metrics and performance indicators to deliver actionable insights and recommendations.
- Conduct root cause analyses to identify drivers of operational challenges and develop solutions to improve outcomes.
- Support forecasting, capacity planning, workforce planning, and resource allocation efforts across the organization.
- Assist in evaluating investment opportunities, technology initiatives, and process improvement projects through financial and operational analysis.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, IT and Manufacturing Operations teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Support annual planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range strategic planning activities.
- Prepare executive-level reports, presentations, dashboards, and recommendations to support business decision-making.
- Monitor and measure the effectiveness of improvement initiatives to ensure targeted results are achieved.
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through data analysis and provide recommendations that support organizational goals.
QualificationsEducation- Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, economics, operations management, supply chain management, data analytics, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field.
- MBA or relevant professional certifications preferred.
Experience- Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic operations, manufacturing operations and strategy, management consulting, operational excellence, supply chain analytics, corporate strategy, or related analytical roles.
- Experience supporting cross-functional business initiatives and performance improvement efforts.
- Proven experience leveraging data and analytics to drive business decisions and organizational outcomes.
- Experience supporting complex manufacturing or industrial operations preferred.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting operations within advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, industrial equipment, electronics, defense, or similar production environments.
- Strong understanding of business performance management, cost optimization, and operational efficiency principles.
- Understanding of accounting in manufacturing environment (3-statements, chart of accounts), financial controls, inventory controls, and manufacturing costing.
- Experience with process improvement, operational excellence, or business transformation initiatives.
- Experience developing business cases, financial models, and executive presentations.
- Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and performance measurement frameworks.
- Experience working with enterprise systems, business intelligence tools, and large datasets.
- Familiarity with KPI development, dashboard reporting, and operational performance analysis.
- Experience supporting executive leadership with strategic recommendations and decision support.
Soft Skills- Self-starter - able to initiate, plan, and drive work to completion without a detailed playbook.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong business acumen and strategic thinking capabilities.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive initiatives without direct authority.
- Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple business functions.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and project management capabilities.
- Ability to synthesize complex data into clear and actionable business recommendations.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Strong judgment, decision-making, and prioritization skills.
Technology Stack- Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Familiar with Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence platforms
- ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Infor, or similar)
- Manufacturing Excellence Systems (Tulip)
- Data visualization and reporting tools
- Financial planning and operational analytics systems
- Project management and collaboration platforms
Physical Requirements- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
- Ability to travel occasionally to business, operational, or customer locations as needed.
- Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across multiple functions and organizational levels.
- Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing analysis, reporting, and planning activities.
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
