Strategy Operations Manager Jobs in Michigan

Requisition ID: 71786

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers.

The team you will be a part of

You know us for our iconic Stand Mixer, but we’re so much more. By joining the KitchenAid Small Appliances Team, you’ll be part of a group that pushes the boundaries of culinary innovation and award-winning design. We don’t just build products; we strive to deliver a best-in-class experience across the entire consumer journey. If you're passionate about blending tradition with cutting-edge creativity, you'll feel right at home here.

This role in summary

The Customer Experience (CX) Strategy & Operations Manager is responsible for leading the delivery of KitchenAid’s CX strategy, ensuring it aligns with organizational objectives and drives a culture of excellence.

This role serves as the primary bridge between KitchenAid and our Consumer Services Contact Center (CxC). You will oversee this vital relationship, managing operational performance, inspiring world-class service delivery, and ensuring every customer interaction enhances our brand reputation.

Your responsibilities will include

1. CX Strategy & Relationship Management

• Brand Advocacy: Serve as the CX champion, fostering a culture of exceptional service across all business functions.
• CxC Leadership: Lead the relationship with our contact center partner, inspiring the team to meet and exceed world-class CX standards.
• Operational Governance: Establish a performance framework to track CxC metrics, ensuring all Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are consistently met.

• Strategic Rituals: Lead structured communication cycles to ensure alignment:

• Daily: Tactical pulse checks (SLAs and deflection monitoring).

• Weekly: Performance reviews, roadblock removal, and coaching on mitigation rates.
• Monthly: Business reviews (MBRs) focusing on volume optimization and KPI trends.
• Quarterly: Top-to-Top sessions for roadmap alignment and executive confidence.

2. Operational Excellence & Insights

• Continuous Improvement: Partner with the CxC to drive operational efficiency, team growth, and process refinement.
• Closed-Feedback Loop: Own the framework for transforming customer data into actionable insights, sharing findings across the business to drive change.
• Forecasting & Planning: Collaborate with D2C and Consumer Services teams to manage contact volume forecasting and ensure proactive staffing levels.
• Escalation Management: Work directly with the CxC team to resolve high-priority customer escalations.

3. Performance Reporting & Innovation

• CX Analytics: Analyze feedback and identify trends/pain points to improve the customer journey.
• Technical Synergy: Work with IT and D2C teams to ensure system requirements support the CX strategy and enhance interactions.

• Specialized Reporting: Deliver data-driven insights on:

• Product Quality Signals: Identifying hardware/software malfunctions or recurring defects.

• Unintended Use Cases: Reporting "off-label" product usage by consumers.
• UX Friction: Identifying UI elements or features causing high contact volume.
• Returns Classification: Need differentiation of returns needing credits issued vs PEX or other non-credit returns.

Minimum requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Communications, or a related field.
• Work Experience: 4–5 years of direct experience in Customer Experience (CX) Operations, Contact Center Management, or Customer Service Strategy.

Preferred skills and experiences

• 7+ years of broader experience in a CX Strategy or Operations role, ideally within the consumer goods or D2C space.
• Experience: Proven track record in a Customer Service leadership or CX Operations role, including tracking performance metrics and enforcing SLAs.
• Leadership: Strong cross-functional influence and people management skills, with a heavy emphasis on coaching and development.
• Analytical Rigor: Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear strategic and actionable recommendations.
• Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced computer and systems skills (CRM, Data Visualization, and CX Platforms).
• Problem Solving: A creative thinker who can work autonomously and make confident, independent decisions in a fast-paced environment.

What we offer

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.