Operational Excellence Specialist

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Company:
Ball Corporation

Location:

Saratoga Springs, NY, US, 12866

Date:
Oct 27, 2026

Job Category:
Quality/ Continuous Improvement

Req.

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.

Together with our global employees, customers, and partners, we’re turning bold sustainability goals into reality and shaping a future we can all be proud of.

The Operational Excellence Specialist is an entry level position. It is both, a facilitative leader and a learner, operating under the supervision of the Regional Manager Lean Six Sigma or Regional Operational Excellence Manager. The Operational Excellence Specialist is expected to be able to learn and understand the can making process and get involved with day-to-day operations at the plant.

Leading standardization of the management process at the plant, working directly with employees on all shifts and teams.

Leading various process improvement assignments and projects that yield bottom-line productivity, improved throughput and better quality.

This is an entry level development role with an assignment of approximately 2 years. After 2 years, through solid performance, candidates may have an opportunity to grow into a Plant Supervisor role and a path to other future leadership roles.

• Plant resource to facilitate/execute plant standardization of the management system and work with employees at all levels to help facilitate, train and track implementation to standard.
• Leads and facilitates improvement teams, workshop teams, and individual improvement projects aligned with plant or department priorities:
• Participates as a team member, problem solving resource and group facilitator on plant or department improvement teams as required; also participates in daily problem-solving activities.
• Collaborates with plant team to conduct process analysis and performance reporting in support of internal or external client needs.
• Learns and practices Lean tools and techniques (DMAIC, PDCA, root cause analysis, risk assessment/FMEA, kaizen).
• Collaborates with plant training resources to support the development, documentation, training, sustainment, and improvement of standardized work.
• Supports and facilitates adoption of best practices to eliminate waste and improve performance for assigned plant or function.
• Required to present, educate, train, and facilitate at all levels and to external audiences.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, Science, Supply Chain, or equivalent work-related experience (preferred)
• Job related experience process improvement or project management experience; manufacturing experience (preferred).
• Must be able 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
• Willing to take risks, challenge the status quo and work under ambiguous circumstances
• Intellectually, emotionally, and logically capable and confident; has the intelligence and stature to quickly gain credibility and become a trusted advisor.
• Computer based skills (MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Expected Hiring Salary Range:$66,700 - $93,160 (Salary to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as…