Entry Level Operational Excellence Manager Jobs
New grad operational excellence manager jobs are open to recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where internship work or a process-improvement project can matter more 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 Operational Excellence Manager 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.
See All 7 Entry Level Operational Excellence Manager Jobs
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Science & Research
- Chemicals & Materials
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Entry Level Operational Excellence Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level operational excellence manager job?
Employers hiring at the entry level look for candidates who can demonstrate process-thinking, even without years of experience. Internship projects, coursework in Lean or Six Sigma, a Green Belt certification, or a capstone project showing measurable improvement all strengthen an application. Tailoring your resume to highlight problem-solving and data analysis gives you a clear edge at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level operational excellence managers?
Companies hiring entry level operational excellence managers right now include Afni, Avient, and Perdue, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Manufacturing firms, healthcare systems, logistics companies, and large consumer goods organizations are among the most consistent employers at this level, often building out dedicated continuous improvement teams that include junior roles.
Are there remote entry level operational excellence manager jobs?
Yes, though many postings at this level are on-site or hybrid given the hands-on nature of the work. About 20% of entry level operational excellence manager openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, so candidates who need location flexibility will still find options worth searching, particularly in consulting-adjacent or corporate roles.
Are these new grad operational excellence manager jobs?
Yes, the openings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internship or co-op work as qualifying experience, or lists a degree rather than a specific work history as the primary requirement. Certifications and portfolio projects can substitute for years on the job.
Which industries hire the most entry level operational excellence managers?
Entry Level operational excellence manager roles concentrate in Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors tend to hire at the entry level because their operational scale creates ongoing demand for process improvement talent, and they often invest in developing junior candidates into long-term continuous improvement professionals.