Operational Excellence Leader

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

Fairbanks Morse is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, citizenship status (unless required by the applicable law or government contract), disability or protected veteran status or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Job Description

Position Summary

Fairbanks Morse is looking for a Fairbanks Morse Operating System (FMOS) Leader to join our team. The FMOS Leader is responsible for driving a culture of continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and process excellence across the organization. This role focuses on identifying opportunities, implementing solutions, and enabling teams to achieve sustainable improvements in quality, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with hands-on Lean, Six Sigma, and change management experience.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.
• Develop and implement strategies that promote operational efficiency and excellence across all business units.
• Conduct root cause analysis and data-driven assessments to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
• Partner with leadership teams to establish KPIs, performance metrics, and process dashboards.
• Facilitate workshops, training, and coaching to develop Lean and Six Sigma capabilities across teams.
• Support strategic projects, including digital transformation, cost reduction, and process automation.
• Track and report on operational excellence project results and benefits realization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Partner with the operations site leadership to enhance functional efficiency, boost productivity, and drive business growth to achieve key organizational objectives.
• Directly provide formal and informal FMOS training and coaching, taking complex internal/external problems – breaking them down and recommending best approach to solution.
• Drive the kaizen process, including kaizen funnel development, prioritization, resourcing, activation, and execution. Ensure effective sustainment of results and support problem solving as needed to close gaps to targets.
• Promote and facilitate diagnosis of work-flow impediments and other wastes throughout the business. Provides counsel on appropriate tools to eliminate them.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of five years of work experience in manufacturing/operations, supply chain and/or logistics. Minimum of two years of experience applying continuous / process improvement methodology such as Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred).
• Strong project management and change management skills.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Experience with process mapping, data analysis, and performance improvement tools (e.g., DMAIC, PDCA, Value Stream Mapping).
• Proficiency in tools like Power BI, or similar analytical/reporting software.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately assess key business metrics and situations from a “general manager’s” point of view, and ability to design, develop, and implement a roadmap for an operating business.
• Proven ability to consistently deliver results while influencing leaders without authority. Including but not limited to coaching leaders at different altitudes while driving change and leveraging change management best practices.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional teams with ability to work and execute across boundaries and matrices.

Preferred Traits:

• Results-oriented with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic mindset with attention to detail and process discipline.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Demonstrated commitment to FMOS Fundamentals, holding a CP (Certified Practitioner) or ACP (Advanced Certified Practitioner) in VSM (Value Stream Map), TPI (Transactional Process Improvement), PSP (Problem Solving Process), Daily Management, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), War Rooms.

Travel: < 50%
Language: English

Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match. In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled