Operational Excellence Manager

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Operations Mgmt/Engineering Full Time Professional Cannon Falls, MN, US

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Gemini is looking for an OPEX Manager to join the Gemini team! This position leads the strategy and execution of continuous improvement across the organization. This role partners with executive leadership, site leaders, and cross‑functional teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer experience. The manager establishes scalable operating practices, builds problem‑solving capabilities, and oversees a portfolio of improvement initiatives that deliver measurable, sustainable business results.

This is a hands‑on leadership role that combines strategic direction with active engagement in manufacturing operations. The manager works closely with leaders and employees at all levels to identify opportunities, implement improvements, develop internal capabilities, and ensure results are sustained over time.

Location: Taylor, TX, Cannon Falls, MN, or Decorah, IA
Type: Full Time – On-site
Schedule: 5/8 hour days (Monday through Friday)
Travel: 50%

A day in the life of an OPEX Manager at Gemini includes:

• Strategy and deployment :
  Develop and execute an operational excellence roadmap aligned with business priorities; translate strategic objectives into clear initiatives, ownership, milestones, and measures. Translate strategic goals into actionable initiatives with defined ownership, timelines, milestones, performance measures, and expected outcomes.

Partner with executive leadership and site management to establish improvement priorities and drive consistent execution across the organization.

• Improvement portfolio :
  Identify, prioritize, and oversee improvement opportunities across functions and locations, balancing business impact, implementation effort, resources, and risk.
• Process improvement:
  Lead the application of Lean, Six Sigma, value‑stream mapping, root‑cause analysis, standard work, and structured problem‑solving to reduce waste, variation, defects, and delays.
• Operating system: Establish consistent daily management practices, visual performance measures, escalation processes, and review routines that strengthen accountability and execution. Assess, monitor, and enhance manufacturing performance by analyzing current practices and implement changes in workflows, structures, and teams that result in improved performance.
• Financial results: Partner with Finance to establish project baselines, validate benefits, distinguish realized savings from cost avoidance, and monitor sustained results.
• Cross‑functional leadership: Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, HR, and other stakeholders to address end‑to‑end process challenges and share effective practices.
• Capability building: Develop training, coaching, and facilitation approaches that build continuous improvement skills among leaders and employees.
• Team leadership: Lead and develop the operational excellence team, as applicable; set priorities, allocate resources, and establish clear expectations for delivery.
• Change management :
  Engage process owners and employees in designing improvements, communicate the reasons for change, and reinforce adoption through practical implementation and follow‑up.
• Data and technology: Define reliable performance measures and partner with technology teams to improve data visibility, streamline workflows, and evaluate automation opportunities.
• Sustainment and governance: Establish process ownership, documentation, control plans, and periodic reviews to maintain…