Manufacturing Excellence Manager

Description Role Summary

The single point of accountability for hands on, plant floor identification, investigation and prevention of operational inventory variances. Dedicated to shop floor variance control, including root-cause analysis, corrective action, process ownership, and sustained reduction of the company’s variance exposure to a consistent level. The position directs cross-functional work and holds stakeholders accountable for timely, accurate resolution while maintaining inventory records, product traceability, and ERP transaction integrity.

An experienced people and process leader who can direct others, establish clear ownership, and drive measurable results.

• Own the end-to-end operational variance control program as the designated point person and single source of accountability through hands on, plant floor presence.
• Establish, track, and report a disciplined plan to reduce the current variance exposure and sustain total operational variances.
• Monitor variances daily, prioritize material issues, investigate discrepancies, and drive each item through documented root cause, corrective action, validation, and closure.
• Direct cross-functional employees and leaders in Operations, Accounting, Finance, Quality Assurance, Information Technology, warehouse, and offsite storage to complete required variance-control actions.
• Define ownership, deadlines, escalation paths, and performance expectations so variance issues do not remain unassigned or unresolved.
• Perform and oversee cycle counts, physical inventory verification, lot tracking, reconciliations, and ERP transaction reviews based on variance risk and business need.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, product traceability, and supporting documentation within the ERP system.
• Analyze recurring and systemic variance drivers, quantify impact, and implement preventive controls that address the root cause.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, standard reports, and regular leadership updates showing variance dollars, aging, root causes, corrective actions, owners, and progress toward the monthly target.
• Create, update, enforce, and audit SOPs and inventory controls that prevent recurrence and strengthen transaction accuracy.
• Verify offsite purchase order receipts, inventory labeling, and third-party storage transactions when relevant to variance prevention or resolution.
• Escalate unresolved, recurring, or high-dollar variances promptly and recommend operational, system, training, or accountability actions.

• Lead internal audits of variance-control processes and ensure compliance with established inventory-control standards.
• Coach, direct, and drive accountability for inventory-related policies, procedures, transaction discipline, and corrective actions.
• Follow and enforce all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, sanitation, quality, and safety standards.
• Report Food Safety Management System (FSMS) concerns to Quality Assurance leadership or executive management.

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate or bachelor’s degree in operations, supply chain, finance, accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in inventory control, operational finance, manufacturing, warehousing, or production environments preferred.
• Minimum three years of demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience directing others, assigning ownership, managing deadlines, and holding cross-functional teams accountable is required.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-dollar variance investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, cycle counts, audits, and…