Entry Level Director Operational Excellence Jobs
New grad director operational excellence jobs are open to recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a project portfolio can carry more weight than a long resume. Most openings are Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and Science & Research roles with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid settings, with employers like Afni, Avient, and Perdue hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 7+ Entry Level Director Operational Excellence jobs
Salary Range: $65,000-$90,000
Position Purpose
The Operational Excellence Analyst supports operational excellence through data analysis, process improvement, project enablement, and process governance. This role serves as an analytical resource to the Center of Excellence (COE) and operations teams by identifying performance trends, investigating the root causes of operational issues, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and providing project management support for strategic initiatives.
The Operational Excellence Analyst partners with COE Managers and operational leaders to drive data-informed decision-making, standardization, process effectiveness, and measurable business results.
*This position is hybrid in our Bloomington, IL headquarters.*
Why Join Afni?
At Afni, we believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage. We're committed to creating opportunities for growth, encouraging innovation, and empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on the business.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
- A collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Data Analytics & Operational Performance
- Analyze operational, quality, productivity, recovery, and financial performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, variances, and root causes.
- Perform root cause analysis using methodologies such as Five Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, and other process analysis techniques.
- Partner with functional leaders and stakeholders to interpret performance data, investigate operational issues, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
Project & Initiative Support
- Support COE-led initiatives through project planning, milestone tracking, status reporting, and maintenance of project documentation.
- Develop and maintain project management tools, including Gantt charts, project timelines, action logs, RAID logs, and implementation trackers.
- Track initiative outcomes and support the measurement of benefits realization and operational impact.
- Apply project and product management practices, as appropriate, to support initiative planning, execution, stakeholder alignment, and successful implementation.
Process Improvement & Governance
- Assist in the development and maintenance of process standards, business process overviews, training materials, governance documentation, and implementation resources.
- Facilitate data gathering and analysis to support Lean Six Sigma and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support current-state and future-state process assessments through workflow analysis, process mapping, and performance measurement.
- Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, process simplification, and improved operational controls.
- Support process governance by maintaining accurate documentation, reinforcing established standards, and helping clarify process ownership and accountability.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
- Two or more years of experience in business analysis, operational analytics, continuous improvement, project coordination, or a related discipline.
- Experience analyzing KPIs, performing root cause analysis, and translating findings into actionable business recommendations.
- Working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma methodologies, process mapping, and workflow documentation.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, Power Query, and data analysis functions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Visio, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and project management applications. Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting tools is preferred.
Salary Range: $65,000-$90,000
Position Purpose
The Operational Excellence Analyst supports operational excellence through data analysis, process improvement, project enablement, and process governance. This role serves as an analytical resource to the Center of Excellence (COE) and operations teams by identifying performance trends, investigating the root causes of operational issues, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and providing project management support for strategic initiatives.
The Operational Excellence Analyst partners with COE Managers and operational leaders to drive data-informed decision-making, standardization, process effectiveness, and measurable business results.
*This position is hybrid in our Bloomington, IL headquarters.*
Why Join Afni?
At Afni, we believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage. We're committed to creating opportunities for growth, encouraging innovation, and empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on the business.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
- A collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Data Analytics & Operational Performance
- Analyze operational, quality, productivity, recovery, and financial performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, variances, and root causes.
- Perform root cause analysis using methodologies such as Five Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, and other process analysis techniques.
- Partner with functional leaders and stakeholders to interpret performance data, investigate operational issues, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
Project & Initiative Support
- Support COE-led initiatives through project planning, milestone tracking, status reporting, and maintenance of project documentation.
- Develop and maintain project management tools, including Gantt charts, project timelines, action logs, RAID logs, and implementation trackers.
- Track initiative outcomes and support the measurement of benefits realization and operational impact.
- Apply project and product management practices, as appropriate, to support initiative planning, execution, stakeholder alignment, and successful implementation.
Process Improvement & Governance
- Assist in the development and maintenance of process standards, business process overviews, training materials, governance documentation, and implementation resources.
- Facilitate data gathering and analysis to support Lean Six Sigma and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support current-state and future-state process assessments through workflow analysis, process mapping, and performance measurement.
- Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, process simplification, and improved operational controls.
- Support process governance by maintaining accurate documentation, reinforcing established standards, and helping clarify process ownership and accountability.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
- Two or more years of experience in business analysis, operational analytics, continuous improvement, project coordination, or a related discipline.
- Experience analyzing KPIs, performing root cause analysis, and translating findings into actionable business recommendations.
- Working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma methodologies, process mapping, and workflow documentation.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, Power Query, and data analysis functions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Visio, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and project management applications. Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting tools is preferred.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Science & Research
- Chemicals & Materials
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Entry Level Director Operational Excellence Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level director operational excellence job?
Start by building familiarity with process improvement frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen, even through coursework or a self-directed project. Employers at this level look for candidates who can demonstrate analytical thinking, an ability to identify inefficiencies, and clear communication skills. A relevant internship, a capstone project, or documented involvement in a process improvement initiative gives your application a concrete edge over a generic resume.
Which companies hire entry level director operational excellences?
Companies hiring entry level director operational excellences right now include Afni, Avient, and Perdue, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. At this level, hiring covers large corporations with formal rotational or associate programs as well as mid-size organizations that bring in junior talent to support ongoing continuous improvement initiatives.
Are there remote entry level director operational excellence jobs?
Yes, though on-site roles remain common at this level given the hands-on nature of the work. About 20% of entry level director operational excellence openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, so candidates who prefer schedule flexibility have real options without limiting their search to a single metro area.
Are these new grad director operational excellence jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior roles suited to candidates just entering the field. A posting is typically new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, lists internships or academic projects as qualifying background, or describes the role as a junior contributor rather than a team lead. Look for language like "entry level," "associate," or "recent graduates encouraged to apply" as clear signals.
Which industries hire the most entry level director operational excellences?
Entry Level director operational excellence roles concentrate in Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors tend to drive early-career hiring because their scale and complexity create ongoing demand for analysts and junior specialists who can help teams identify waste, streamline workflows, and support larger operational improvement programs.