Sr. Operations & Continuous Improvement Analyst (New Ulm)

Turn Data Into Decisions. Drive the Future of Manufacturing.

At Windings, Inc., we’re not looking for someone to simply build reports. We’re looking for someone who can see patterns before others do, turn operational complexity into clarity, and use data to drive meaningful improvements across a growing manufacturing organization.

This is a high-impact role that works at the intersection of Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance. You’ll partner with leaders across the organization to transform operational data into actionable insights, lead continuous improvement efforts, and help drive stronger performance, improved margins, and scalable growth.

If you enjoy solving complex operational problems, digging into data, improving processes, and seeing your work translate into measurable business results, this could be a great opportunity for you.

***This position can sit in either our Eden Prairie, MN location or at our main facility in New Ulm, MN

What You’ll Do

Turn Data Into Action

• Create dashboards, KPIs, and automated reporting tools using platforms such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Develop visualizations that provide insight into performance across Quality, Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain.
• Identify trends, bottlenecks, anomalies, and opportunities within complex operational data.
• Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for leaders across the business.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Lead and support Lean/Six Sigma initiatives focused on improving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and efficiency.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping, root-cause analysis, and other structured problem-solving activities.
• Identify, quantify, and track waste-reduction and process-improvement opportunities.
• Help operational teams build continuous improvement capabilities through coaching and training.
• Measure results to ensure improvement efforts deliver tangible operational and financial impact.

Influence Strategic Decisions

• Analyze manufacturing cycles, sales orders, throughput, inventory, capacity, and margin trends.
• Support SIOP/S&OP planning and operational forecasting.
• Identify opportunities for margin expansion, working capital improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Provide data and analysis to support long-range planning, infrastructure investments, and growth initiatives.

Drive Cross-Functional Impact

You’ll work across multiple areas of the business, including:

• Engineering – identify product and process cost-reduction opportunities.
• Operations - improve throughput, capacity planning, scheduling, and production flow across sites.
• Quality – analyze nonconformance and corrective-action trends and help reduce Cost of Quality (CoQ).
• Supply Chain – identify opportunities to improve inventory turns and working capital.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• High visibility and exposure to senior and executive leadership.
• Opportunity to influence how a growing manufacturing organization uses data and continuous improvement to make decisions.
• Ability to build and improve dashboards, processes, and performance-management tools.
• Cross-functional work spanning multiple sites and areas of the business.
• Direct connection between your work and improvements in operational performance, profitability, and growth.

What You Bring

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5–7 years of analytical experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing KPIs, dashboards, and operational reporting.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, including BOMs, routings, labor standards, throughput, and manufacturing costing.
• Ability to turn complex operational data into practical business recommendations.

Technical & Continuous Improvement Skills

• Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization tools.
• Advanced Excel and Power Query skills.
• SQL, data modeling, and automated reporting experience.
• ERP/MRP system experience.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial and operational acumen.

Bonus Points If You Have Experience With

• Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing.
• SIOP/S&OP and capacity planning.
• Leading Kaizen events or Value Stream Mapping.
• Multi-site or global manufacturing operations.

Success in This Role Looks Like

You’ll help Windings create greater visibility and drive measurable improvement in areas such as:

• On-Time Delivery and throughput
• Capacity versus demand
• Cycle time and operational efficiency
• Scrap and waste reduction
• Inventory turns and working capital
• Margin improvement
• Cost of Quality (CoQ)
• Safety and operational performance
• Continuous improvement savings and ROI

Why Join Us?

At Windings, Inc., employees don’t just work here — they own part of the company’s success. As an employee-owned organization, every improvement, innovation, and win contributes to a stronger future for all of us.

We’re growing, evolving, and investing in the future. If you’re ready to use analytics to make a real operational impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Salary Description

$85,000 - $105,000- annual DOQ

We are committed to providing pay ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on your experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations. The listed pay range is provided in good faith and is subject to adjustments in accordance with company policies and market conditions.

This position is eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus program based on company performance goals. Bonus payouts are not guaranteed and are determined at the company's discretion.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Specific vision ability by this job includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other Requirements:

Because employees in this position must handle information covered by the International Trade and Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR), successful applicants will be: (1) required to verify their identity and their status as a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or person granted refugee or asylee status (or equivalent) in the U.S.; OR (2) undergo additional steps, including but not limited to licensure from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and/or the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) at the U.S.

Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Windings is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected Veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.

No Soliciting

Windings will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to Windings job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Windings Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Windings Talent Acquisition team.