Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in California
Operations Excellence Manager jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in manufacturing, biotechnology, aerospace, healthcare systems, and large-scale logistics operations, with openings at every level from process improvement specialist through senior director. The heaviest hiring clusters in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, and Genentech maintain long-standing operations that continuously seek this expertise. The most in-demand specialties within the role include Lean Six Sigma program leadership, supply chain optimization, and cross-functional continuous improvement. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Operations Excellence Manager jobs
About Balt
Our purpose is to improve the lives of 150,000 patients in 2026.
Our story
Balt is a rapidly growing pioneer in an exceptional field. For 45 years, Balt has been leading the way - collaborating with physicians and institutions to develop elegant medical devices. Our products are being used by physicians across the world, and we have 13 offices in 11 countries – and counting.
We introduced one of the first neurovascular intervention devices in 1977 and now offer the world's broadest portfolio of medical devices for stroke. As the premier global neurovascular platform always seeking to expand beyond boundaries, we are now bringing our innovation to the peripheral vascular space.
We are proud of our mission, our people, and the incredible work we accomplish together as we empower physicians to save lives.
Why Join Balt? Join a passionate team, dedicated to making a difference.
- Working at Balt means giving meaning to your work! Pride is a strong part of our identity.
- We are a close-knit team, with strong mission, vision and values that guide our day-to-day.
- Recognition of work, respect, and our multicultural community are key aspects of the employee experience and contribute to our continued success.
- No matter the country, we take care of you.
Would you like to be part of our story? Don't hesitate, come and join us!
About this opportunity – Operations Excellence Manager
Description:
The Operational Excellence Manager leads our continuous improvement program, using Lean and Six Sigma to make production safer, faster, higher quality and less costly. This role partners with production supervisors, engineering, quality and supply chain to find waste, solve root causes and build improvements that stick on the floor.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who coaches people as much as they fix processes. They will build a culture where every team member owns improvement, in a regulated medical device manufacturing environment.
Job Responsibilities:
Strategy and program leadership
- Build and own the site's operational excellence roadmap, aligned with business goals for safety, quality, delivery, cost and people.
- Prioritize improvement projects by impact and effort, and keep a visible portfolio of active work.
- Set up and maintain the KPI framework (OEE, first-pass yield, scrap, on-time delivery, lead time, WIP) and tiered daily huddles.
Lean deployment on the floor
- Lead kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, line balancing and visual management.
- Improve production planning and flow so lines build the right quantity at the right time, reducing subassembly shortages and expediting.
- Drive pull systems, Kanban and setup reduction where they fit the product mix.
Problem solving and quality partnership
- Lead structured root cause analysis (A3, 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone) on recurring production, receiving and quality issues.
- Partner with Quality to support CAPA, nonconformance reduction and process validation.
- Ensure every change follows document control and change management under ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.
People and culture
- Coach supervisors and leads to run improvement on their own lines, rather than depending on the CI team.
- Train employees in Lean and problem-solving tools; run Yellow Belt and Green Belt programs.
- Set up and run an employee idea system with clear response times and recognition.
- Manage and develop any CI specialists assigned to the team.
Results and reporting
- Track and report validated savings and KPI gains to operations leadership monthly.
- Sustain gains through audits, layered process checks and control plans.
- Support capital projects, line layouts and workstation design with a Lean lens.
Qualification Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 7+ years in manufacturing operations or continuous improvement, including 3+ years leading improvement programs or people.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
- Proven record of leading kaizen events and delivering measurable gains in quality, throughput, lead time or cost.
- Strong data skills: Excel, Minitab or similar, and building KPI dashboards.
- Clear communicator who can coach operators, influence supervisors and present to senior leaders.
- Comfortable spending most of the day on the production floor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
- Experience in medical device or another FDA-regulated industry, working under ISO 13485 and 21 CFR Part 820.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and production planning.
- Background in high-mix, low-volume or cleanroom assembly.
- Experience building a CI culture from the ground up or through a Lean transformation.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
Work environment:
This role splits time between the production floor and the office. It requires standing and walking for long periods, and wearing PPE or cleanroom gowning as required.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
More information please go to www.baltgroup.com
Please be aware of a current job offer scam perpetrated through the use of the internet. The scammers frequently misappropriate and use a company’s log and photos to give the appearance of legitimacy. The scam preys upon those seeking employment and uses false and fraudulent offers of employment with employers, such as Balt Inc to steal from the victims. Balt believes that one of the best ways to put a stop to this scam is to make sure you are aware of it. Balt’s job recruitment process involves live communication: in person, telephone, and/or video interviews in most cases.
#LI-FW1
Pay Range
$130,000 - $150,000 USD
About Balt
Our purpose is to improve the lives of 150,000 patients in 2026.
Our story
Balt is a rapidly growing pioneer in an exceptional field. For 45 years, Balt has been leading the way - collaborating with physicians and institutions to develop elegant medical devices. Our products are being used by physicians across the world, and we have 13 offices in 11 countries – and counting.
We introduced one of the first neurovascular intervention devices in 1977 and now offer the world's broadest portfolio of medical devices for stroke. As the premier global neurovascular platform always seeking to expand beyond boundaries, we are now bringing our innovation to the peripheral vascular space.
We are proud of our mission, our people, and the incredible work we accomplish together as we empower physicians to save lives.
Why Join Balt? Join a passionate team, dedicated to making a difference.
- Working at Balt means giving meaning to your work! Pride is a strong part of our identity.
- We are a close-knit team, with strong mission, vision and values that guide our day-to-day.
- Recognition of work, respect, and our multicultural community are key aspects of the employee experience and contribute to our continued success.
- No matter the country, we take care of you.
Would you like to be part of our story? Don't hesitate, come and join us!
About this opportunity – Operations Excellence Manager
Description:
The Operational Excellence Manager leads our continuous improvement program, using Lean and Six Sigma to make production safer, faster, higher quality and less costly. This role partners with production supervisors, engineering, quality and supply chain to find waste, solve root causes and build improvements that stick on the floor.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who coaches people as much as they fix processes. They will build a culture where every team member owns improvement, in a regulated medical device manufacturing environment.
Job Responsibilities:
Strategy and program leadership
- Build and own the site's operational excellence roadmap, aligned with business goals for safety, quality, delivery, cost and people.
- Prioritize improvement projects by impact and effort, and keep a visible portfolio of active work.
- Set up and maintain the KPI framework (OEE, first-pass yield, scrap, on-time delivery, lead time, WIP) and tiered daily huddles.
Lean deployment on the floor
- Lead kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, line balancing and visual management.
- Improve production planning and flow so lines build the right quantity at the right time, reducing subassembly shortages and expediting.
- Drive pull systems, Kanban and setup reduction where they fit the product mix.
Problem solving and quality partnership
- Lead structured root cause analysis (A3, 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone) on recurring production, receiving and quality issues.
- Partner with Quality to support CAPA, nonconformance reduction and process validation.
- Ensure every change follows document control and change management under ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.
People and culture
- Coach supervisors and leads to run improvement on their own lines, rather than depending on the CI team.
- Train employees in Lean and problem-solving tools; run Yellow Belt and Green Belt programs.
- Set up and run an employee idea system with clear response times and recognition.
- Manage and develop any CI specialists assigned to the team.
Results and reporting
- Track and report validated savings and KPI gains to operations leadership monthly.
- Sustain gains through audits, layered process checks and control plans.
- Support capital projects, line layouts and workstation design with a Lean lens.
Qualification Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 7+ years in manufacturing operations or continuous improvement, including 3+ years leading improvement programs or people.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
- Proven record of leading kaizen events and delivering measurable gains in quality, throughput, lead time or cost.
- Strong data skills: Excel, Minitab or similar, and building KPI dashboards.
- Clear communicator who can coach operators, influence supervisors and present to senior leaders.
- Comfortable spending most of the day on the production floor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
- Experience in medical device or another FDA-regulated industry, working under ISO 13485 and 21 CFR Part 820.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and production planning.
- Background in high-mix, low-volume or cleanroom assembly.
- Experience building a CI culture from the ground up or through a Lean transformation.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
Work environment:
This role splits time between the production floor and the office. It requires standing and walking for long periods, and wearing PPE or cleanroom gowning as required.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
More information please go to www.baltgroup.com
Please be aware of a current job offer scam perpetrated through the use of the internet. The scammers frequently misappropriate and use a company’s log and photos to give the appearance of legitimacy. The scam preys upon those seeking employment and uses false and fraudulent offers of employment with employers, such as Balt Inc to steal from the victims. Balt believes that one of the best ways to put a stop to this scam is to make sure you are aware of it. Balt’s job recruitment process involves live communication: in person, telephone, and/or video interviews in most cases.
#LI-FW1
Pay Range
$130,000 - $150,000 USD
See All 18 Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsOperations Excellence Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Excellence Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Staffing & Recruiting
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations excellence manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, business, or a related technical field required
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification strongly preferred by California employers
- Five or more years of experience leading process improvement initiatives in a regulated industry
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams across large California operations sites
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Minitab, Tableau, or advanced Excel modeling
- Experience working within California-regulated environments including aerospace, biotech, or healthcare
Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations excellence manager in California?
Most operations excellence managers in California start with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, business administration, or a related field, then build toward a Lean Six Sigma certification. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers here place significant weight on recognized certifications such as ASQ's Certified Manager of Quality and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt credentials, paired with hands-on experience in California's dominant industries like biotech, aerospace, or healthcare operations.
How much do operations excellence managers make in California?
Operations 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 operations excellence managers in California?
Employers hiring operations excellence managers in California right now include Foster Farms, Jobot, and Clutter, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, integrated health systems, and life sciences manufacturers means demand for this role is distributed across a wider range of regulated industry employers than most other states.
Which California cities have the most operations excellence manager jobs?
The cities with the most operations excellence manager openings in California are Irvine, Fresno, and Huntington Beach. Los Angeles draws the largest share due to its aerospace, defense, and logistics base, the Bay Area reflects demand from technology and biotech headquarters, and San Diego's concentration of life sciences and defense contractors anchors hiring in the south.
Are there remote operations excellence manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Operations excellence managers are typically embedded in physical facilities to observe processes, lead floor-level kaizen events, and drive change directly with production or clinical teams, so most roles require regular on-site presence. About 29% of operations excellence manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements most common in the program management and reporting portions of the role rather than the hands-on improvement work.
How can I get hired as a operations excellence manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into an operations analyst, quality engineer, or process technician role at a large California manufacturer or health system, then building toward Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Employers like Kaiser Permanente and major aerospace contractors in Southern California run structured rotational and associate programs that bring in candidates from adjacent functions such as supply chain coordination, quality assurance, or production supervision, and a completed improvement project portfolio can substitute for years of direct experience in early applications.
Where can I find and apply to operations excellence manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to operations excellence manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 18 Operations Excellence Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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