Operational Excellence Manager Jobs
Operational Excellence Manager jobs are open across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, financial services, and consulting, from mid-level to director, with specializations in Lean, Six Sigma, and process reengineering. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 295+ Operational Excellence Manager jobs
Job Title
Manufacturing Engineering & Continuous Improvement Manager
Department
Manufacturing Engineering & Quality
Reports To
Manufacturing Engineering & Quality Director
Role Summary
The Manufacturing Engineering & Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for designing, optimizing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes in a modular construction environment. This role leads the deployment of Lean / TPS-based manufacturing systems, drives productivity, quality, safety, and cost improvements, and ensures scalable, repeatable processes across production lines.
The position requires a strong balance of technical manufacturing engineering, hands-on continuous improvement leadership, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Programming, and Supply Chain.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Process Engineering
- Design and optimize process flow, layouts, capacity models, takt time, and standard work for modular construction lines (wood and/or steel).
- Support new and existing production lines by improving throughput, labor efficiency, and equipment utilization.
- Lead manufacturing engineering support for new product introductions and line expansions.
- Ensure manufacturing processes are robust, repeatable, and capable of meeting quality and delivery targets.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Deployment
- Lead the site Continuous Improvement (CI) roadmap, aligning initiatives with business priorities.
-
Implement Lean Manufacturing and TPS principles, including:
- Value Stream Mapping
- Kaizen events
- Waste elimination (Scrap, Motion, Waiting, Overprocessing, etc.)
- Manage a structured Kaizen pipeline and track financial and operational benefits.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives with measurable ROI.
Visual Management & Tier System
- Deploy and sustain visual management systems, including Tier boards and KPI dashboards.
- Support daily management routines such as Tier meetings and Gemba walks.
- Ensure key metrics (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity) are visible, accurate, and actionable.
Productivity, Quality & Process Capability
-
Improve process capability through:
- Cycle time reduction
- Standardization
- Error-proofing (Poka-Yoke)
- Workstation and material flow optimization
- Partner with Quality and Engineering to implement quality checkpoints, control plans, and problem-solving practices.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality, safety, and productivity issues.
Standardization & Documentation
-
Lead the creation and deployment of:
- Standard Work
- Operator Work Instructions (OWIs)
- Setup standards
- Preventive maintenance standards
- Support and audit 5S implementation across manufacturing areas.
- Ensure standards are embedded, trained, and audited routinely.
People & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as a technical and CI mentor to engineers, analysts, and production leaders.
- Collaborate closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Programming, and Supply Chain.
- Influence change on the shop floor through data-driven decisions and strong communication.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering and/or continuous improvement roles.
- Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing / TPS in a production environment.
- Strong understanding of process flow, capacity planning, standard work, and CI tools.
- Hands-on experience in a factory setting; comfortable working on the shop floor.
Preferred
- Experience in modular construction, building products, or assembly processes in continuous lines.
- Experience with automated equipment, CNC/nailing systems, or high-mix production.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ROI from CI projects.
Key Competencies
- Results-driven and execution-focused
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to lead change and influence without authority
- Excellent communication across all organizational levels
- Structured, data-driven, and detail-oriented while maintaining a big-picture view
Performance Expectations
- Measurable improvements in productivity, cost, quality, and delivery
- Sustained Lean systems, not one-time events
- High engagement and participation in CI activities
- Clear financial ROI on engineering and CI initiatives
Salary Range: $140,000 to $165,000
Job Title
Manufacturing Engineering & Continuous Improvement Manager
Department
Manufacturing Engineering & Quality
Reports To
Manufacturing Engineering & Quality Director
Role Summary
The Manufacturing Engineering & Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for designing, optimizing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes in a modular construction environment. This role leads the deployment of Lean / TPS-based manufacturing systems, drives productivity, quality, safety, and cost improvements, and ensures scalable, repeatable processes across production lines.
The position requires a strong balance of technical manufacturing engineering, hands-on continuous improvement leadership, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Programming, and Supply Chain.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Process Engineering
- Design and optimize process flow, layouts, capacity models, takt time, and standard work for modular construction lines (wood and/or steel).
- Support new and existing production lines by improving throughput, labor efficiency, and equipment utilization.
- Lead manufacturing engineering support for new product introductions and line expansions.
- Ensure manufacturing processes are robust, repeatable, and capable of meeting quality and delivery targets.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Deployment
- Lead the site Continuous Improvement (CI) roadmap, aligning initiatives with business priorities.
-
Implement Lean Manufacturing and TPS principles, including:
- Value Stream Mapping
- Kaizen events
- Waste elimination (Scrap, Motion, Waiting, Overprocessing, etc.)
- Manage a structured Kaizen pipeline and track financial and operational benefits.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives with measurable ROI.
Visual Management & Tier System
- Deploy and sustain visual management systems, including Tier boards and KPI dashboards.
- Support daily management routines such as Tier meetings and Gemba walks.
- Ensure key metrics (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity) are visible, accurate, and actionable.
Productivity, Quality & Process Capability
-
Improve process capability through:
- Cycle time reduction
- Standardization
- Error-proofing (Poka-Yoke)
- Workstation and material flow optimization
- Partner with Quality and Engineering to implement quality checkpoints, control plans, and problem-solving practices.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality, safety, and productivity issues.
Standardization & Documentation
-
Lead the creation and deployment of:
- Standard Work
- Operator Work Instructions (OWIs)
- Setup standards
- Preventive maintenance standards
- Support and audit 5S implementation across manufacturing areas.
- Ensure standards are embedded, trained, and audited routinely.
People & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as a technical and CI mentor to engineers, analysts, and production leaders.
- Collaborate closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Programming, and Supply Chain.
- Influence change on the shop floor through data-driven decisions and strong communication.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering and/or continuous improvement roles.
- Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing / TPS in a production environment.
- Strong understanding of process flow, capacity planning, standard work, and CI tools.
- Hands-on experience in a factory setting; comfortable working on the shop floor.
Preferred
- Experience in modular construction, building products, or assembly processes in continuous lines.
- Experience with automated equipment, CNC/nailing systems, or high-mix production.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ROI from CI projects.
Key Competencies
- Results-driven and execution-focused
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to lead change and influence without authority
- Excellent communication across all organizational levels
- Structured, data-driven, and detail-oriented while maintaining a big-picture view
Performance Expectations
- Measurable improvements in productivity, cost, quality, and delivery
- Sustained Lean systems, not one-time events
- High engagement and participation in CI activities
- Clear financial ROI on engineering and CI initiatives
Salary Range: $140,000 to $165,000
Operational Excellence Manager Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsOperational Excellence Manager Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Augmentis87A
- Penske Truck Leasing6
- PPG4
- GRAIL4
- Amazon4
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
- Retail
- Manufacturing
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operational excellence manager jobs.
- Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt certification with demonstrated project leadership experience
- Proven experience leading cross-functional process improvement initiatives in a complex organization
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Minitab, Power BI, or Excel for root-cause analysis
- Strong stakeholder management and change management skills across multiple business units
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, operations management, or a related field
- Experience with value-stream mapping, Kaizen events, and continuous improvement frameworks
Tips for Your Operational Excellence Manager Job Search
Quantify process improvements on your resume
Hiring managers for operational excellence manager roles expect metrics. Replace vague statements with specifics: cycle time reduced, defect rates cut, cost avoided. Lean and Six Sigma achievements without numbers read as theoretical rather than proven.
List certifications in your resume header
Lean, Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, or Shingo credentials are frequently listed as requirements, not preferences. Put your active certifications directly under your name so screeners see them before reading your work history.
Filter openings by industry and methodology
Operational excellence roles in healthcare follow PDSA and regulatory compliance frameworks, while manufacturing roles lean on Kaizen and value-stream mapping. Target listings that match your methodology background rather than applying broadly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists operational excellence manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a case study for the interview
Most panels ask you to walk through an improvement project end to end. Prepare one story that covers the baseline problem, the methodology you applied, stakeholder resistance you navigated, and the measurable outcome. Practice it under eight minutes.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Clarify whether the role has authority to implement changes or only recommends them to leadership. Operational excellence managers without change-management authority frequently stall. Ask directly during the offer stage, not after you start.
Operational Excellence Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most operational excellence managers?
The companies hiring the most operational excellence managers right now include Augmentis, Penske Truck Leasing, and PPG, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Manufacturing, healthcare systems, and large logistics operators consistently account for the highest volume of postings.
How many operational excellence manager jobs are remote?
About 31% of operational excellence manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, though many roles require periodic on-site presence for Kaizen events and floor observations. Program and strategy-focused roles within consulting or corporate functions tend to offer the most remote flexibility compared to plant- or facility-based positions.
How do you become an operational excellence manager?
Most operational excellence managers start in a process engineer, operations analyst, or continuous improvement specialist role and build hands-on project experience over several years. Earning a Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt certification strengthens your candidacy significantly. From there, demonstrating that you led a cross-functional initiative, managed stakeholder resistance, and delivered measurable results is what moves you into a management-level role.
Can you get an operational excellence manager role with limited experience?
It is possible if you compensate with a strong certification and a concrete project portfolio. Candidates who have led even one documented Lean or Six Sigma project, with baseline data, a clear methodology, and a measurable outcome, compete more effectively than candidates with years of generic operations experience and no structured improvement work. Targeting smaller organizations or roles with coordinator-level titles that grow into management is also a practical path.
What does the operational excellence manager interview process look like?
Most processes run three to four rounds. An initial screen with a recruiter or HR is followed by a panel with operations leadership, where you will typically walk through a past improvement project in detail. A final round often includes a case study or presentation, where you diagnose a process problem and propose a solution. Some employers also ask for a portfolio of past project charters or A3 reports.
Where can I find and apply to operational excellence manager jobs?
You can find and apply to operational excellence manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your industry background and methodology experience, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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