, Michigan (US-MI)

Sr. Manager, Operational Excellence & Digital Transformation

Location: Nexteer Automotive Corporation - Saginaw MI (USA)

Reports To: U.S. Division President

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated change agent to lead enterprise-wide business transformation initiatives that simplify processes, eliminate waste, and improve operational performance across our U.S. organization. Reporting directly to the U.S. Division President, this leader will partner with business and functional leaders to identify opportunities, redesign processes, and implement sustainable improvements using Lean methodologies, digital technologies, automation, and data analytics.

This role is not simply about implementing technology, it is about understanding how work gets done, challenging the status quo, and helping the organization build more efficient, standardized, and scalable processes. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable facilitating a value stream mapping workshop on the plant floor, redesigning an administrative process with Finance or HR, or deploying digital tools that improve decision making and execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an enterprise-wide change agent, leading strategic business transformation initiatives that improve productivity, quality, customer service, and cost competitiveness.
• Facilitate Value Stream Mapping (VSM), process mapping, Kaizen events, and waste identification workshops across manufacturing and business functions.
• Analyze current-state processes to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, non-value-added activities, and opportunities for standardization and automation.
• Lead cross-functional teams in redesigning business processes using Lean principles, operational excellence methodologies, and digital technologies.
• Develop and execute a digital transformation roadmap aligned with the company's strategic priorities.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, HR, Purchasing, and IT to improve end-to-end business processes.
• Evaluate opportunities to leverage automation, AI, business intelligence, workflow tools, and advanced analytics to improve operational effectiveness.
• Drive organizational adoption of new processes by leading change management efforts, stakeholder engagement, and employee training.
• Establish performance metrics and dashboards to measure process improvements and sustain gains.
• Partner with IT to ensure technology solutions support business objectives while simplifying user experience and reducing manual work.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement where employees routinely identify and eliminate waste.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across both manufacturing operations and administrative functions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, Information Systems, or related discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in business transformation, operational excellence, continuous improvement, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or digital transformation.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives with measurable business impact.
• Strong experience applying Lean methodologies, including:
• Value Stream Mapping
• Process Mapping
• Kaizen
• Root Cause Analysis
• Standard Work
• Visual Management
• Waste Elimination
• Proven ability to facilitate cross-functional workshops and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable business improvements.
• Experience leading organizational change and influencing leaders without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing digital manufacturing technologies, automation, AI, or workflow automation tools.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems including ERP, MES, IoT, and data visualization platforms.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or business intelligence tools.
• Experience in automotive or complex manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading business process redesign across manufacturing and corporate functions.

Leadership Competencies

• Passion for challenging the status quo and driving meaningful organizational change.
• Systems thinker who understands end-to-end business processes.
• Strong facilitator capable of bringing teams together to solve complex problems.
• Curious, data-driven decision maker who seeks root causes rather than symptoms.
• Influential leader who builds trust, accountability, and engagement across all levels of the organization.
• Results-oriented with a relentless focus on delivering measurable business value.
• Champion of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

About the Role: We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Manager or Director to lead our digital transformation and manufacturing IT strategy. As a direct report to our U.S. Division President and a key member of their staff, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that drive operational excellence, digital innovation, and cultural change across our manufacturing operations. You will serve as a change agent, partnering with cross-functional leaders to deliver scalable digital solutions, foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure our teams are equipped for the future of smart manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a digital transformation roadmap aligned with business and operational priorities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to deploy digital tools, advanced analytics, automation, and AI in manufacturing environments.
• Champion change management, driving adoption of new technologies and data-driven decision making.
• Oversee the integration and optimization of manufacturing IT systems (MES, IoT, traceability, analytics platforms).
• Ensure data governance, cybersecurity, and compliance with quality and customer requirements.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to IT and digital teams, fostering talent development and high performance.
• Translate complex technical challenges into actionable business solutions.
• Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and cost through digital initiatives.
• Partner with Finance, HR, and Supply Chain to assess and optimize back-office business systems & processes, identifying opportunities for automation, data integration, & workflow improvement.
• Build and develop an IT and digital team, with organizational structure and size defined based on evolving business priorities and growth needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in IT, digital transformation, or manufacturing technology, with at least 2 years in a multinational or industrial environment.
• Proven track record of leading digitalization and change management initiatives in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing IT systems (MES, IoT, traceability, automation, analytics, cloud platforms).
• Strong experience with SQL, data platforms, and integration technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Excellent communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI/machine learning applications in operations.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Knowledge of IT security, backup/recovery, and compliance standards.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to technical and operational teams.
• Experience with ERP platforms (SAP, QAD, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent) in a manufacturing or industrial context.
• Proven ownership of a BI or reporting capability - not just tool familiarity, but building and sustaining reporting infrastructure that business stakeholders actually rely on.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with a digital innovation mindset.
• Strong business partnership and customer focus.
• Integrity, accountability, and a passion for quality.
• Collaborative, transparent communicator and relationship builder.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.