Operational Excellence Manager - Formulations

Category Operational Excellence Manager – Formulations

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Operational Excellence Manager – Formulations to lead enterprise-wide initiatives focused on optimizing product formulations, improving manufacturing performance, and driving measurable gains in quality, cost, and customer satisfaction. This role will play a critical part in enhancing how product formulations, ingredients, equipment, and manufacturing processes integrate to create high-quality products while improving operational efficiency and financial performance.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement experience. Success in this role requires collaboration across Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, R&D, Quality, and plant leadership teams to develop scalable solutions and sustainable operational improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide operational excellence initiatives focused on formulation optimization, process efficiency, product quality, and cost improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts using Lean Six Sigma methodologies and structured problem-solving frameworks including DMAIC and related operational excellence tools.
• Partner cross-functionally with manufacturing, engineering, sourcing, quality, finance, and R&D teams to optimize product formulations, ingredients, processing methods, and manufacturing systems.
• Utilize expertise in formulation science, process engineering, and manufacturing systems to develop product and process requirements and establish best practices.
• Analyze operational data, process performance, and manufacturing trends to identify opportunities for optimization and sustainable performance improvements.
• Develop systems, controls, and performance metrics to monitor process effectiveness and maintain long-term improvements.
• Lead root cause investigations and resolve complex operational challenges impacting product quality, throughput, efficiency, and cost.
• Train, mentor, and coach teams on operational excellence principles, process capability, statistical tools, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support product, process, equipment, and formulation deployment initiatives across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Collaborate with operational leadership on capital and non-capital improvement opportunities and assist with project analysis, business justification, and implementation strategies.
• Maintain compliance with industry standards, quality systems, and regulatory requirements impacting manufacturing and product formulation activities.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, or related technical field required; equivalent technical experience may also be considered.
• 12 years of experience driving process optimization, operational excellence, formulation improvements, or technical leadership within manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of formulation science, product development, ingredients, manufacturing processes, and process optimization.
• Demonstrated expertise in continuous improvement methodologies including Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving practices.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required or equivalent demonstrated mastery with a proven record of operational excellence leadership.
• Master Black Belt certification preferred.
• Strong understanding of quality systems, process controls, statistical analysis, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Demonstrated financial acumen with experience evaluating operational performance, cost improvements, and investment opportunities.
• Project management experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Proven leadership skills with a self-directed, ownership-driven, servant leadership mindset.
• Ability to travel approximately 30–50% based on business needs.
  
  

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative operational leader who combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and a passion for continuous improvement. This individual thrives in complex manufacturing environments and possesses the ability to connect product formulations, process design, operational data, and team collaboration to drive sustainable improvements and enterprise-wide impact.