Operational Excellence Manager

 
Elemental Enzymes is actively seeking an Operational Excellence Manager to fortify our Manufacturing team. We are in search of an individual with exceptional skills, a relentless drive for results, and extensive manufacturing experience. This pivotal role involves aligning manufacturing objectives with the corporate vision, collaborating closely with Division and Department Leads, and deploying the manufacturing strategy from identification to prioritization of objectives, monitoring progress, and effectively communicating achievements. Additionally, the Lead will spearhead operational excellence initiatives, championing the implementation of lean manufacturing principles to drive efficiency and ensure alignment with ISO management systems. It is imperative for the successful candidate to be solutions-driven, adept at navigating complexity and ambiguity, and capable of fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and empowerment across the manufacturing organization. 

Job Description

• Collaborate closely with Division and Department leads to align manufacturing objectives to corporate goals and initiatives utilizing lean systems, such as Hoshin Kanri.
• Deploy the manufacturing strategy, including the identification and prioritization of objectives, and effectively monitor and communicate progress and achievements.
• Tasked to ensure manufacturing operations stay on track and meet milestones. Ensures corrective actions are implemented and monitored to get on track.
• Ensure Lean Manufacturing alignment between organizational structure and ISO management systems. Work on optimizing workflow between departments within manufacturing and within cross-functional groups within the organization.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives, championing the implementation of lean manufacturing principles to optimize processes (information and material flow) and drive efficiency. Ensure lean implementations drive sustainable results.
• Work on streamlining operations, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing overall productivity within the manufacturing organization.
• Spearhead efforts to foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and empowerment across the manufacturing organization.
• Drive solutions in complex problems using lean methodologies and project management.
• Support measurable Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People goals and objectives (or similar metrics and KPIs) to drive operational level targets.
• Provide leadership and guidance to manufacturing team, promoting solutions driven structured problem-solving and decision making through motivation and effective coaching and mentorship.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, or Chemical) or business (with strong manufacturing experience) is required. Master’s degree in business (MBA) is highly preferred.
• 5 Years experience in a manufacturing setting is required (Engineering, Plant Operations, Quality, Operational Excellence). Minimum of 3 years of experience in implementing Lean Manufacturing principles in a dedicated Lean role. Must have a minimum of 3 years in a management role.
• Lean Six Sigma certification is highly preferred.
• ASQ, quality certification, and APICs, supply chain certification is beneficial.

• Advanced knowledge of lean and quality management tools is required (value stream mapping, kaizen, Kanban, SMED, standard work, 6S, SIPOC, Hoshin Kanri, Root Cause Problem Solving, checklists, flowcharts, fishbone diagrams, control charts, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, Statistical Process Control). 
• Strategy development and deployment experience is highly preferred (i.e., Hoshin Kanri and Balanced Scorecard). 
• Experience with business management processes and IT, such as ERP systems, data analytics, and system workflows and databases is required
• Strong project management skills is required. Certifications in PMP is highly preferred.
• Demonstrate effective change management skills, influencing, communication, change management, stakeholder management. Must be able to give/receive feedback, set objectives and most importantly, motivate and coach colleagues at all levels.
• Trusted leader who motivates team through times of uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity while promoting positive culture and continuous learning

Work Hours & Travel

• Must be able to work onsite at our St. Louis manufacturing location. Hybrid work (work from home/onsite work mix) may be allowed per manager discretion 
• Must be able to work normal work hours 
• Must be able to work outside work hours, including weekend work during project execution 
• Must be able to travel up to 10% 

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations sound.

• Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light. 

Job Location: St. Louis, MO, United States,

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular/Salary/Exempt 

Salary: Competitive base range 

Benefits: 401K, Healthcare, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, HSA/FSA Options, Employee Assistance Program, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Dependent Care Account 

About Elemental Enzymes

Elemental Enzymes was founded upon the simple belief that we must do everything we can to improve agricultural performance in a way that not only enables plants to flourish but enriches and renews the planet with eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural solutions. From products that enable effective enzyme, peptide and protein inputs to foliar treatments that hold the promise to renew entire industries, our focus to make a positive difference in the world through people – like you and me. Success is a byproduct of responsible production. That’s why Elemental Enzymes works to bring cross-disciplinary scientists and processes together to create novel solutions to practical problems with a shared goal of helping both the plant and the planet. 

Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter to our open application. References required upon request.