Operational Excellence Manager; OPEX Manufacturing Plant

Operational Excellence Manager (OPEX) – Manufacturing Plant

• Lincoln, IL
• $130,000 to $190,000

OPEN JOB:
Operational Excellence Manager (OPEX) – Manufacturing Plant

LOCATION:

Lincoln, Illinois BASE SALARY: $130,000 to $190,000 INDUSTRY:
Manufacturing & Production IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Strong understanding of Lean management systems and their connection to business strategy, daily operations, and waste elimination.
• Manufacturing Plant Level Experience
• Broad knowledge of Lean tools and principles, including value stream mapping, 5S/workplace organization, continuous flow manufacturing, set-up reduction, TPM, error proofing, pull systems, and standardized work.
• Proven analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to turn data into action.
• Ability to prioritize multiple time-critical tasks and maintain momentum across several improvement initiatives.
• Ability to lead, influence, and develop cross-functional process improvement teams across all levels of the organization; both a strategic partner and a hands-on coach on the shop floor.
• Ability to apply structured problem-solving methods, including 8D and statistical analysis, to define root causes, validate solutions, and prevent recurrence

DETAILS:

• Our client’s Electrical Sector - Residential & Wiring Devices Division is seeking an Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager for the Lincoln, IL manufacturing facility.
• In this highly visible plant leadership role, you will champion the company's Continuous Improvement System (ECIS), the company's Business System (EBS), Lean, and Six Sigma to build a strong culture of problem solving, operational discipline, and sustainable performance improvement.

• This role is ideal for a hands-on continuous improvement leader who can coach teams, translate strategy into action, and deliver measurable results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.
• As the site’s OPEX leader, you will partner directly with the plant leadership team to shape the continuous improvement roadmap, strengthen daily management systems, develop talent, and accelerate business results in a complex manufacturing environment that produces critical electrical products for residential and commercial applications.

What you’ll do:

• Champion ECIS, EBS, Lean, and Six Sigma across the site to deliver short- and long-term improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, working capital, and customer satisfaction.
• Partner with the plant leadership team to develop, deploy, and sustain the site’s continuous improvement strategy, governance process, and annual improvement priorities.
• Build a culture of structured problem solving through leader standard work, daily accountability, visual management, process checks, Gemba walks, and disciplined follow-up.
• Serve as the site expert and champion for the company's Business System, helping leaders connect business priorities to practical operating routines and improvement actions.
• Lead Operational Assessment (OpA) preparation, execution, and follow-up by identifying gaps, building action plans, and sustaining progress across the organization.
• Use Lean and Six Sigma tools to eliminate waste, improve flow, reduce variation, and strengthen operational performance across manufacturing and functional processes.
• Coach, train, and mentor employees and leaders through Kaizen events, Rapid Improvement Events (RIE), Six Sigma projects, benchmarking, leader standard work deployment, and capability-building activities.
• Analyze operational metrics, identify performance gaps, and recommend data-driven action plans that improve results and sustain accountability at the operating level.
• Lead site cost-out and productivity initiatives to achieve annual…