Operational Excellence Manager – Materials

Category Operational Excellence Manager – Materials

We are seeking a high-impact Category Operational Excellence Manager – Materials to lead enterprise-wide initiatives focused on optimizing material performance, improving operational effectiveness, and driving measurable gains in quality, cost, and customer satisfaction. This strategic leadership role will serve as a key driver in transforming how raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and manufacturing processes integrate across the business to deliver world-class products and operational excellence.

This individual will champion continuous improvement initiatives by leveraging Lean Six Sigma methodologies, data analytics, process optimization, and cross-functional leadership to identify opportunities and implement sustainable solutions. Success in this role requires a balance of technical expertise, business acumen, hands-on operational leadership, and the ability to influence diverse teams across manufacturing and corporate functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide operational excellence initiatives focused on materials optimization, process efficiency, product quality, and cost reduction.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts using structured methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and other process improvement tools.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Finance, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and external suppliers to identify and implement material and process improvements.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, material specifications, performance trends, and operational data to identify opportunities for optimization and sustainable results.
• Develop and maintain systems, metrics, and controls that monitor process performance and ensure long-term improvement sustainability.
• Train, mentor, and coach teams on operational excellence principles, problem-solving techniques, statistical tools, and continuous improvement practices.
• Support material identification, testing, implementation, and deployment activities across multiple product categories and manufacturing environments.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts and facilitate resolution of complex operational challenges impacting quality, cost, delivery, and efficiency.
• Participate in product, process, equipment, and materials deployment initiatives across multiple locations.
• Partner with leadership teams to identify, evaluate, and support capital and non-capital investment opportunities that enhance operational performance.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards and regulatory requirements impacting manufacturing operations and material processes.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field required.
• 12 years of engineering, manufacturing, operational excellence, or technical leadership experience within food, dairy, consumer products, or related manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-level continuous improvement and operational transformation initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification strongly preferred; equivalent experience with a proven track record driving operational excellence will also be considered.
• Master Black Belt certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, ingredients, packaging systems, and process optimization methodologies.
• Experience utilizing data analytics and statistical methods to drive business decisions and measurable operational improvements.
• Project management experience with the ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with understanding of financial analysis, investment justification, and operational metrics.
• Proven leadership skills with a self-directed, ownership-oriented, servant leadership mindset.
• Ability to travel approximately 30–50% based on business needs.
  
  

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic and hands-on operational leader who thrives in complex manufacturing environments and brings a strong bias toward action, innovation, and measurable results. This individual possesses the ability to connect people, process, materials, and data to create sustainable improvements and drive meaningful business impact across a large-scale organization.