Operations Excellence Specialist

Operations Excellence Specialist – On-site Job Summary

This position works with site leadership to drive continuous improvement activities in a chemical manufacturing site for dental products. This is accomplished by forming and leading teams to drive process improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, process reliability and throughput. With a strong foundation in chemical engineering, this role serves as the technical and strategic driver for problem solving, process optimization, efficiency gains and operational transformation.

Lean Tools such as DMAIC problem‑solving, Value Stream Mapping, Poke Yoke, SMED and 5S will be used to identify and eliminate process waste. After improvement initiatives are implemented, this position works with relevant groups to establish metrics and communication systems that can be used to sustain the gain. The front‑line leadership role requires a charismatic leader with strong communication, diplomacy and people skills that enable them to drive continuous improvement, empower teams and foster a culture of process optimization and customer focus.

Strong analytical skills are a must for this role.

• Works with site leadership to analyze business results to identify most meaningful improvement opportunities. Develop presentations along with cost‑benefit analysis to sell said opportunities.
• Analyze chemical manufacturing processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Utilizes LEAN / 6 σ tools to identify waste and solve process problems. Presents results to support proposed actions.
• Promotes world‑class business culture by means of tireless dedication to continuous improvement through employee learning and development.
• Mentors, coaches and teaches Milford Site employees various operational excellence tools (lean, etc.) and techniques. Leads, facilitates, coordinates and/or trains others in DMIAC, VFM, Value Stream Mapping, Eyes‑for‑waste, 5S, Poke‑a‑Yoke, Kan Ban, etc. using cross‑functional teams.
• Effective at organizing and leading Kaizen events. Leads and facilitates improvement teams across the site, often multiple teams at one time. Lead multi‑disciplinary projects from concept through implementation, ensuring timelines, budgets and deliverables are met.
• Works closely with functional teams and SC Analytics to implement techniques and metrics that can be used to sustain the gain. Outspoken advocate on the need to maintain discipline to prevent back sliding.
• Documents history of success and sustained improvements. Recommends and implements techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, cut costs, take advantage of opportunities and maintain state‑of‑the‑art practices and procedures.
• Continually analyze and improve material and information flows to attack all forms of waste.
• Manufacturing improvement opportunities include productivity, material consumption and other operational expenses including quality, safety and space utilization, etc.
• Collaborate with Finance to outline/establish and track/trend quantifiable improvement targets (KPI’s).
• Works closely with QA/RA and EHS to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements including ISO, QSR and OSHA.
• Responsible for systematic and thorough documentation of all projects, to share ideas within the GBU and best practices throughout the organization.
• Effectively work cross‑functionally across all departments to attain improvement objectives.
• Assisting in the development of future state value streams and helping teams prioritize the tasks that need to be accomplished.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Chemical Engineering or Technical specialty, or equivalent level of relevant experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing environment with a process and product improvement focus or Operations Leadership in a lean production environment in a high‑volume production environment with a minimum of 2 years in Continuous Improvement activities. An equivalent combination of education & experience will be considered.

• Excellent communication skills. Experience presenting…