Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Director Operational Excellence jobs are open across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and logistics, from senior manager to vice president level, with specializations in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Sodexo is searching for a Senior Director, Operational Excellence to support our Schools K-12 segment. This is a remote opportunity with up to 50% travel.
This role will identify performance gaps, training and support needs, and behavioral trends, helping drive greater operational consistency and effectiveness across the business.
About the job
Join a role where you’ll guide operational strategy and support programs that enhance performance across a dynamic campus services portfolio. In this position, you will coordinate operational initiatives, strengthen service standards, and support field teams in delivering consistent, high-quality experiences. Working across multiple functions, you will help translate strategic priorities into practical frameworks that elevate operations, strengthen client partnerships, and improve student engagement.
Pay Range: $156230 per year - $242550 per year
Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary
What’s in it for you
- A strategic opportunity to influence operational programs that shape campus dining, retail, and student-focused services.
- The chance to guide initiatives that improve service delivery, sustainability, wellness, and brand engagement across campuses.
- Close collaboration with operational leaders, platform experts, and cross-functional teams supporting campus environments.
- A role that blends strategic planning, operational support, and program development to strengthen performance.
- Opportunities to design playbooks, training programs, and operational standards that drive consistent outcomes.
- A dynamic environment where innovation and collaboration help elevate the campus experience for students and partners.
What you’ll bring
Deep expertise in contract foodservice management and strong P&L experience.
- Experience leading operations or operational excellence initiatives in multisite service environments such as campuses, hospitality, or retail.
- Experience developing standardized processes, training frameworks, and operational playbooks that support consistent service delivery.
- Experience evaluating operational performance metrics and implementing improvements that enhance efficiency and service quality.
- Experience supporting business development efforts through feasibility studies, pricing analysis, and operational insights.
- Experience guiding cross-functional collaboration across service operations, field leadership, and platform teams.
Requirements
- Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 10 years
- Related Experience: 7 years
What we offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
Who we are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Sodexo is searching for a Senior Director, Operational Excellence to support our Schools K-12 segment. This is a remote opportunity with up to 50% travel.
This role will identify performance gaps, training and support needs, and behavioral trends, helping drive greater operational consistency and effectiveness across the business.
About the job
Join a role where you’ll guide operational strategy and support programs that enhance performance across a dynamic campus services portfolio. In this position, you will coordinate operational initiatives, strengthen service standards, and support field teams in delivering consistent, high-quality experiences. Working across multiple functions, you will help translate strategic priorities into practical frameworks that elevate operations, strengthen client partnerships, and improve student engagement.
Pay Range: $156230 per year - $242550 per year
Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary
What’s in it for you
- A strategic opportunity to influence operational programs that shape campus dining, retail, and student-focused services.
- The chance to guide initiatives that improve service delivery, sustainability, wellness, and brand engagement across campuses.
- Close collaboration with operational leaders, platform experts, and cross-functional teams supporting campus environments.
- A role that blends strategic planning, operational support, and program development to strengthen performance.
- Opportunities to design playbooks, training programs, and operational standards that drive consistent outcomes.
- A dynamic environment where innovation and collaboration help elevate the campus experience for students and partners.
What you’ll bring
Deep expertise in contract foodservice management and strong P&L experience.
- Experience leading operations or operational excellence initiatives in multisite service environments such as campuses, hospitality, or retail.
- Experience developing standardized processes, training frameworks, and operational playbooks that support consistent service delivery.
- Experience evaluating operational performance metrics and implementing improvements that enhance efficiency and service quality.
- Experience supporting business development efforts through feasibility studies, pricing analysis, and operational insights.
- Experience guiding cross-functional collaboration across service operations, field leadership, and platform teams.
Requirements
- Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 10 years
- Related Experience: 7 years
What we offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
Who we are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Director Operational Excellence Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsDirector Operational Excellence Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Augmentis218A
- Divert9
- Guardian Industries7
- Penske Truck Leasing6
- REDZONE4
Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Retail
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director operational excellence jobs.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification required by most employers
- 7 to 10 years of progressive experience leading continuous improvement programs across business units
- Proven ability to design and deploy operating management systems at enterprise scale
- Proficiency with process mapping tools such as Visio, Minitab, or equivalent analytics platforms
- Experience facilitating value stream mapping and kaizen events with cross-functional teams
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, or a related technical discipline required
Tips for Your Director Operational Excellence Job Search
Quantify process improvement outcomes on your resume
Directors of operational excellence are hired for results, so your resume must show measurable impact: cycle time reductions, defect rate changes, cost avoidance figures, and throughput gains tied to specific initiatives you led, not just participated in.
List your Lean and Six Sigma certifications prominently
Many postings screen for Black Belt, Master Black Belt, or Lean practitioner credentials before reviewing experience. Place certifications in a dedicated section near the top of your resume so they aren't buried under job history.
Filter openings by industry before applying broadly
Operational excellence methodology differs meaningfully between a discrete manufacturer, a hospital system, and a financial services firm. Target postings in the industry where your toolset and vocabulary are strongest so your application reads as a direct match.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director operational excellence openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a portfolio of kaizen events and project charters
Interviewers at this level expect documentation, not just stories. Bring sanitized copies of A3 reports, value stream maps, or project charters you authored so you can walk through your methodology and decision-making process concretely.
Negotiate scope before accepting the offer
Director operational excellence roles vary widely in authority. Before accepting, clarify whether you own the change management budget, have direct reports, or are a staff function advising business units, since scope determines your ability to deliver the outcomes the role promises.
Director Operational Excellence Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director operational excellences?
The companies hiring the most director operational excellences right now include Augmentis, Divert, and Guardian Industries, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Michigan, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare systems, and large financial services organizations undergoing transformation programs.
How many director operational excellence jobs are remote?
About 67% of director operational excellence openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, making it one of the more site-dependent director-level functions. Roles focused on enterprise performance analytics or program governance tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions tied to plant floors or clinical operations almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a director operational excellence?
Start by earning a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification and applying it on real projects inside an operations or quality function. Build a portfolio of completed kaizen events, value stream maps, and measurable outcomes. Move into a manager or senior manager role leading a continuous improvement team, then pursue a director opening once you can show enterprise-wide program ownership and cross-functional influence.
Can you get hired as a director operational excellence without direct experience in the role?
Yes, if you have strong Lean or Six Sigma credentials and a documented history of leading improvement programs, even without the title. Candidates who have served as operations managers, quality directors, or plant managers often transition successfully by reframing their experience around methodology, change management, and measurable outcomes rather than job titles alone.
What does the director operational excellence interview process look like?
Expect a phone screen focused on your certification background and industry experience, followed by a panel interview with operations leadership and human resources. Most processes include a case study or presentation where you walk through a past improvement initiative end to end. Final rounds often involve a meeting with the chief operating officer or a business unit president to assess strategic alignment and leadership style.
Where can I find and apply to director operational excellence jobs?
You can find and apply to director operational excellence jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your industry background and methodology expertise, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 447+ Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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