Operational Excellence Director

Overview

Viant is a global medical device design, development, manufacturing, and assembly services provider with capabilities in materials, plastics, metals, extrusion, and automation. With nearly 6,000 employees across 24 locations worldwide, Viant delivers high-quality, life-enhancing products and has the scale to bring devices to market efficiently.

Learn more at Viant Medical’s website or on Linked In.

Director of Operational Excellence, Advanced Metals Solutions (AMS). You will drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and foster a culture of innovation across Viant. This role reports to a central Center of Excellence and works within the AMS business unit and related functions to lead Operational Excellence and continuous improvement activities. The AMS unit comprises 7 sites located across the Midwest and East Coast.

The ideal candidate will have experience leading operational excellence across multiple sites, with familiarity in metals machining, turning, and drawing manufacturing processes. This role is half strategic and half tactical, involving Lean methodologies to drive savings, talent development, and leading events to achieve Viant’s strategic goals, as well as leading kaizens and solving business-critical needs as they arise. This is a hands-on, player-coach role capable of switching between coaching, facilitating, and doing.

• Lead Operational Excellence initiatives across a multi-site manufacturing network, partnering with site leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute transformational improvement opportunities.
• Identify and deliver a multi-year road map of savings to achieve annual savings targets.
• Collaborate with business unit and functional leaders to implement improvements including OEE, tiered daily management, and leader standard work.
• Facilitate kaizens spanning multiple sites, functions, and programs to deliver transformational results including technology adoption and culture change.
• Develop and upskill individuals in the OpEx network through coaching and enterprise-wide trainings with external training partners.
• Influence OpEx at all levels, driving adoption of best practices and continuous improvement.
• Develop Operational Excellence capability across the network through coaching, mentoring, and capability-building initiatives.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree and/or relevant certifications preferred.

Industry & Functional Experience

• 8+ years of experience in Operational Excellence, process improvement, or operations leadership, preferably in manufacturing or highly regulated environments.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing required; medical device experience preferred. Candidates from aerospace, defense, automotive, or similar regulated industries will also be considered.
• Preferred experience with metals manufacturing processes, including machining, turning, drawing, sheet metal fabrication, and automation-driven production environments.
• Proven track record of large-scale change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives beyond traditional Lean deployment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing automation, standard work, and technology-based solutions in operational environments.

• Trainer-level competency in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar problem-solving methodologies, with enterprise-level execution experience.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, including data analysis and performance metrics.

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with strong active listening and interpretation abilities.
• Proven ability to influence, align, and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout the AMS network, potentially up to 75% depending on business needs.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Company-paid life insurance and disability benefits
• Generous paid time off and 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Voluntary universal life and long-term care
• Voluntary legal plan
• Pet insurance
• Home ownership program

Viant is a global medical device design and manufacturing services provider that partners with customers to deliver high-quality, life-enhancing devices. Viant offers equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with applicable laws.