Specialist, Operational Excellence

Operational Excellence Specialist

Since 1868, the Martinelli family has been producing award-winning apple juice. Located in the cool California Central Coast, the fertile Pajaro Valley produces the most flavorful apple varieties in the world. Since winning its first gold medal in 1890, Martinelli's has received more than fifty gold medals for product excellence. Distribution of Martinelli's Gold Medal® products now extends to every state in the U.S. and globally.

The Operational Excellence Specialist is responsible for driving continuous improvement, operational performance, and process optimization initiatives across the organization. This role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall business performance through Operational Excellence methodologies. The Operational Excellence Specialist leads efforts to identify waste, eliminate process inefficiencies, improve production flow, optimize equipment performance, and implement sustainable solutions that drive measurable business results.

Operational Excellence Leadership

• Support the development and execution of the site Operational Excellence strategy and Continuous Improvement roadmap.
• Lead and execute Continuous Improvement initiatives across manufacturing and business operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, daily management system construction, root cause investigations, process mapping, and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Track and communicate KPIs and realized business benefits.

Process Improvement & Manufacturing Performance

• Improve throughput, cycle time, yield, labor productivity, capacity utilization, and OEE.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing methodologies to eliminate waste and reduce variation.

Data Analytics & Digital Enablement

• Develop KPI dashboards and performance reporting.
• Utilize analytical tools to support data-driven decision-making.

Project Management & Implementation

• Lead Operational Excellence projects from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Develop project charters, business cases, timelines, resource plans, and risk assessments.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders.
• Monitor scope, schedule, budget, risks, and expected benefits.
• Communicate project status and validate financial and operational outcomes.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 4 years of experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Operations, or Industrial Engineering.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools, including TPS, Six Sigma, Kaisen, VSM, TPM, OEE, 5S, and Standard Work.
• Demonstrated project management and cross-functional leadership experience.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience with Daily Management Systems and Principals.
• Red Zone or line monitoring software experience.
• Domo, Tableau, Power BI, or other visualization software experience.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with Company staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to assume responsibility and exercise good judgment in making decisions within the scope of authority of the position.
• Ability to readily adapt to changing priorities and take direction from more than one staff member.
• Ability to think and work effectively under pressure and accurately complete tasks within established times.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to prioritize tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and ensure that work is accomplished in the time frames required.
• Ability to be highly organized and provide careful attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to exercise individual initiative and discretion in confidential matters and to respect confidential matters.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to pass background checks, physical, and drug screening.

• Comply with all Company safety requirements
• Adhere to all Company policies and procedures

Benefits

Upon meeting eligibility requirements, the Company offers the following: health insurance coverage, LTD, 401(k) profit share contributions, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, and eight (8) paid holidays per year. Eligible employees may also make 401(k) elective deferral contributions and may elect a co-pay plan for health insurance…