Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in California
Operational excellence manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, biotech and life sciences, technology, and logistics across a market that hires from project lead through director level. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Kaiser Permanente, and Genentech maintain large operational footprints. Lean transformation, quality systems management, and supply chain optimization are the most in-demand specialties California employers seek. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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JOB DESCRIPTION:
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position will have overall Tech Ops responsibility for Operational Excellence work streams, including Functional Excellence and Organizational Excellence. The Operational Excellence Leader will be responsible for leading and driving the principle-based behaviors within Tech Ops which include: Creating value for our business and customers, accountability and ownership at all levels, integration and inclusiveness within R&D, focusing on the process, embracing data & facts, do it right the first time, leading by example and respect for all. It is through these pillars; the Operational Excellence Leader will be responsible for the identification, management and execution of projects and improve processes within Tech Ops which will deliver year-over-year improvements. The Operational Excellence Leader will be the catalyst within Tech Ops to appropriately, and respectfully, challenge status quo which will continually drive improvements via best practice replication (learning from within the network and externally), creative and innovative solutions, alignment of goals and objectives and resource planning to deliver results.
This person will be responsible for defining, evolving, and embedding effective operating models, process standards, and continuous improvement practices across Tech Ops. This role improves organizational effectiveness by standardizing interaction models, clarifying decision rights, optimizing value streams, and enabling disciplined execution across Device, Sensor, and Digital functions. This role integrates Lean, Agile, and hybrid methodologies within a regulated technical environment to improve delivery reliability, quality, and speed.
- Lead organization’s capability in knowledge and understanding of metrics and measurements which impact the total performance of Tech Ops.
- Drive visual management and data understanding throughout Tech Ops facilities.
- Manage and facilitate continuous improvement projects in support of company objectives.
- Develops an implementation plan, conducts risk assessments and develops contingency plans to accommodate unforeseen events.
- Recognizes and removes barriers to project completion.
- Recognizes the broader implications of actions and proposals on the overall business.
- Mentor/train key stakeholders in the use and practice of continuous improvement methodologies and tools. (Lean, value stream mapping, six-sigma, Kaizen). Assesses current processes and standard work flow and identifies process improvement opportunities utilizing organizational, analytical, Lean and six sigma problem solving methodologies.
- Assist in selecting, scoping and prioritizing continuous improvement projects across the business. Plans and facilitates the execution of various value stream mapping and Kaizen events.
- Estimates and verifies financial benefits from continuous improvement projects.
- Acts as a change agent by communicating the enterprise-wide changes to the employees and helping them to learn, understand, adjust and grow within the continuous improvement culture.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Participates as a key business partner to the leadership team.
- Contributes to business strategy development and operational execution of business plans.
- Helps to create the future state as it relates to shortened value streams, Tech Ops strategies, cross-functional processes, and the establishment of uniform policies and procedures.
- Develops programs and initiatives that support the business strategies and plans.
- Thinks strategically to anticipate future issues and challenges and create appropriate plans now, using proactive approaches.
- Demonstrates analytical capability to find systemic issues to root cause, and crest actions plant to mitigate, close and/or eliminate.
- Develop toolkits, templates, and guidance materials to enable consistent ways of working across teams.
- Monitor adoption of standardized processes and provide feedback to the Director on systemic improvement opportunities.
- Partner with Change Management to support adoption of new processes and practices.
- Identify operational friction points and recommend improvements to Business Excellence leadership.
- Lead high value projects within Tech Ops functions and sites and effectively coordinate projects with the deployment champion and other improvement project teams.
- This includes identification of opportunities, definition of done and financial justification of projects, stakeholder management, change management, project team resource management, overall project/program management, lead teams to execute projects with sound problem solving methodology, track project and program status and results, remove and elevate project barriers, and develop team members.
- It is also critical to identify integration points across the project value stream projects/processes and coordinate the improvements with key stakeholders and process owners to maximize project/program value delivery.
- Manage the development and maintenance of methods and enabling systems (including governance, organizational structures, processes and tools) that accurately demonstrate the degree to which the project/program goals, objectives and metrics are being met.
- Provide deployment champion with the results and recommend appropriate corrective action.
- Address program requirements necessary to support constantly changing priorities, responsibilities and organizational ambiguities.
- Recruit Experts, Advocates and Team Members into the Business Excellence infrastructure, and ensure continuing development of their skills.
- Sound stakeholder management and change management: This includes keeping the Deployment Champion, Tech Ops staff and R&D management informed of program status and ensuring coordination of activities between Black Belts at other facilities inside and outside of Tech Ops.
- Best Practice Sharing: As a global lean leader, this position will drive replication of applicable best practices and learnings across sites, organizations and the division functions.
- Take an active role in educating stakeholders on BEx methodologies and participate in multi-divisional councils that shape the future of Business Excellence at Abbott.
- Operates with general direction and minimal supervision from the Director, Business Excellence and has full responsibility to make decisions that directly impact margin project financial achievement.
Experience You'll Bring
Required
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Engineering, Technical or Science or extensive equivalent experience
- Minimum of 10 years related work experience
- 8-10 years of demonstrated success in applying Continuous Improvement / BEx tools
- 2 - 5 years’ experience in business improvement, quality systems or other areas related to the project.
Preferred
- Certification or equivalent working knowledge of improvement tools and methodologies Lean/Six Sigma; Black belt preferred. Knowledge of applicable regulatory standards and requirements for FDA regulated environment. Knowledge of cost accounting/financial reporting systems.
- Has successfully led several high complexity projects from beginning to end. Demonstrated technical skills and management judgment appropriate to the project. Demonstrated expertise in PM tools and processes.
- Willingness to travel (to facilitate personal development and support of other sites).
- Demonstrated diplomacy and effective functioning and communication in a matrix environment.
- Ability to organize and lead cross functional teams and align team members to management's vision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to effectively lead in a team environment, adaptable to change, able to manage competing priorities, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and sense of business savvy.
- Ability to make critical decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
- Solicits the cooperation of a diverse group of disciplines and functions in a tactful and persuasive manner.
- PMP certification and/or MBA is a plus
The base pay for this position is
$148,700.00 – $297,300.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY: Project Management
DIVISION: ADC Diabetes Care
LOCATION: United States > Alameda : 1360-1380 South Loop Road
WORK SHIFT: Standard
TRAVEL: Yes, 50 % of the Time
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.
EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf
EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf
See All 11 Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in California
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Find JobsOperational Excellence Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operational Excellence Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Alvarez & Marsal2

- Jobot2

- Asana1

- Baker Hughes Company1

- Boehringer Ingelheim1

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services3
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Distribution & Wholesale1
- Science & Research1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operational excellence manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or operations management required
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification strongly preferred
- Five or more years of process improvement or operations management experience
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional kaizen or continuous improvement projects
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Minitab, Power BI, or Tableau
- Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, or GMP quality standards relevant to California industries
Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operational excellence manager in California?
Most operational excellence managers in California enter the role through a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations management, or a related discipline, combined with hands-on process improvement experience. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification through an accredited body significantly strengthens a candidacy. Large California employers in aerospace, healthcare, and biotech typically promote from within operational or quality analyst roles.
How much do operational excellence managers make in California?
Operational excellence managers in California earn a median of about $124,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,370 for the lowest 10% to over $293,810 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire operational excellence managers in California?
Employers hiring operational excellence managers in California right now include Alvarez & Marsal, Jobot, and Asana, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, health systems, and biotech firms means demand for this role stays consistent across multiple sectors throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most operational excellence manager jobs?
San Francisco, Alameda, and Brea have the most operational excellence manager openings in California. Los Angeles leads due to its aerospace, defense, and healthcare anchor employers, the Bay Area reflects heavy demand from technology and biotech companies, and San Diego draws openings from its large life sciences and defense manufacturing base.
Are there remote operational excellence manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited, since the role typically requires on-site observation of processes, facilities, and teams to drive meaningful improvement. About 45% of operational excellence manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common than fully remote. The portions of the role most suited to remote work include data analysis, reporting, and cross-functional project coordination.
How can I get hired as a operational excellence manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into an operational excellence coordinator or process analyst role from an adjacent position such as quality technician, operations supervisor, or supply chain analyst. Large California employers like Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, and Genentech run rotational operations programs and internal development tracks that place candidates without direct continuous improvement titles. Earning a Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt certification and building a small portfolio of documented improvement projects gives candidates a measurable edge in California hiring.
Where can I find and apply to operational excellence manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to operational excellence manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 11 Operational Excellence Manager Jobs in California
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