Operational Excellence Specialist

At Ball, integrity and trust are the foundation of who we are. Guided by our core values—"We Care. We Work. We Win."—we create a culture where every voice matters and every idea drives progress.

The Operational Excellence Specialist is an entry‑level position that operates under the supervision of the Regional Operational Excellence Manager. The role involves learning the can‑making process and engaging in day‑to‑day plant operations.

1. Leading the standardization of plant‑wide management processes by working directly with employees on all shifts and teams.
2. Leading various process‑improvement assignments and projects that increase productivity, throughput, and quality.

• Facilitate and execute plant standardization of the management system and train employees at all levels to ensure implementation to standard.
• Lead and facilitate improvement teams, workshop teams, and individual improvement projects aligned with plant or department priorities.
• Participate as a team member, problem‑solving resource, and group facilitator on plant or department improvement teams as required; also participate in daily problem‑solving activities.
• Collaborate with the plant team to conduct process analysis and performance reporting in support of internal or external client needs.
• Apply Lean tools and techniques such as DMAIC, PDCA, root‑cause analysis, risk assessment/FMEA, and kaizen.
• Collaborate with plant training resources to develop, document, train, sustain, and improve standardized work.
• Support and facilitate the adoption of best practices to eliminate waste and improve performance for the assigned plant or function.
• Present, educate, train, and facilitate at all levels and to external audiences.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, supply chain, or equivalent work‑related experience.
• Process‑improvement or project‑management experience; manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, perform complex tasks, organize and follow through consistently, and work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven team builder and leader.
• Strong written and oral communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence upward, across, and down without formal authority.
• Willingness to take risks, challenge the status quo, and work under ambiguous circumstances.
• Intellectually, emotionally, and logically capable and confident, with the competence to quickly gain credibility and become a trusted advisor.
• Computer‑based skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

• Expected hiring salary range: $66,700–93,160. Salary determined by education, experience, skills, internal equity, and market alignment.
• Eligible participation in the annual incentive compensation plan.
• On‑site work environment: requires regular in‑person engagement at the Fort Atkinson, WI location with possible travel and local commute between Ball locations or other locations.
• Benefits information available on the "Total Rewards" page.

• Under Colorado, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania law, you may exclude or redact age‑related details—such as birth date, school attendance dates, or graduation dates—from your resume, cover letter, CV, or other supporting documents.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required; this position will not sponsor any employment visa, now or in the future.
• The position will be posted internally for a minimum of three days and remains open until filled or adjusted based on applicant volume.

Ball Corporation is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non‑merit characteristic.