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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.