Director Operational Excellence Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Operational Excellence roles qualify for H-1B visa and L-1A visas, with employers regularly sponsoring candidates who hold advanced degrees in business, engineering, or operations. Competition for sponsored roles is real, but demand for this function is strong across manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Operational Excellence Leadership Development Program accelerates professional development by placing recent MBA graduates on multiple Avient teams during a two-year, project-based leadership development program. These teams develop and support a wide range of applications and information systems that drive improvement of the critical processes of Avient businesses. Improvement activities may include focus in the following areas: distribution, supply planning, manufacturing, strategic sourcing, customer management, demand management, master scheduling & planning, inventory management, research & development, and network optimization. Individuals get hands-on experience through various assignments (Corporate, regional, and possibly international) to gain key operational excellence, leadership and change management competencies augmenting their historical work and academic experience. During each phase of their assignment, individuals will establish relationships with peers and leaders, learn fundamentals and receive coaching and performance feedback from Avient leadership. Upon completion of the program, individuals will be placed in a full-time role within Avient that best suits their personal and professional goals and matches company needs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead and participate in cross-functional project teams within operations and supply chain.
- Assist in the creation of world-class internal processes in rotational areas such as strategic supplier management, contract management, operations, and operations planning.
- Participate in Avient Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Kaizen Leader training and complete multiple DMAIC projects over the rotational period to earn Black Belt certification.
- Interface with Operational Excellence department and all areas of the business units to ensure improvements are implemented and sustained.
- Identify and develop key operational excellence metrics and measures to facilitate performance improvements.
- Interact with senior management, gain exposure to Avient's most critical initiatives, build relationships with other high-potential employees across the globe, and make a difference in Avient's future success.
- Gain an understanding of the various Avient businesses from a financial, operational, and strategic standpoint.
- Application of change management and leadership capabilities with Avient customers through the “Customer First” program.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
MBA, Operations or Supply Chain Management focus and three years of work experience preferred. Project management experience, team facilitation, data analysis, change management, best practice translation, and process improvement experience is ideal.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to acquire, assimilate, and analyze data from multiple systems and data sources using a variety of business intelligence and reporting tools.
- Strong communication and presentation skills adaptable for engaging with multiple levels across the organization.
- Ability to operate and take initiative in an environment of ambiguity; holds themselves and team members accountable for a high level of performance.
- Required to travel by car or plane up to 25% of the time.
Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.
Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it’s powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you’re a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you’ll find your place at Avient.
Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!
We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.
By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient’s strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.
At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.
INTRODUCTION
The Operational Excellence Leadership Development Program accelerates professional development by placing recent MBA graduates on multiple Avient teams during a two-year, project-based leadership development program. These teams develop and support a wide range of applications and information systems that drive improvement of the critical processes of Avient businesses. Improvement activities may include focus in the following areas: distribution, supply planning, manufacturing, strategic sourcing, customer management, demand management, master scheduling & planning, inventory management, research & development, and network optimization. Individuals get hands-on experience through various assignments (Corporate, regional, and possibly international) to gain key operational excellence, leadership and change management competencies augmenting their historical work and academic experience. During each phase of their assignment, individuals will establish relationships with peers and leaders, learn fundamentals and receive coaching and performance feedback from Avient leadership. Upon completion of the program, individuals will be placed in a full-time role within Avient that best suits their personal and professional goals and matches company needs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead and participate in cross-functional project teams within operations and supply chain.
- Assist in the creation of world-class internal processes in rotational areas such as strategic supplier management, contract management, operations, and operations planning.
- Participate in Avient Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Kaizen Leader training and complete multiple DMAIC projects over the rotational period to earn Black Belt certification.
- Interface with Operational Excellence department and all areas of the business units to ensure improvements are implemented and sustained.
- Identify and develop key operational excellence metrics and measures to facilitate performance improvements.
- Interact with senior management, gain exposure to Avient's most critical initiatives, build relationships with other high-potential employees across the globe, and make a difference in Avient's future success.
- Gain an understanding of the various Avient businesses from a financial, operational, and strategic standpoint.
- Application of change management and leadership capabilities with Avient customers through the “Customer First” program.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
MBA, Operations or Supply Chain Management focus and three years of work experience preferred. Project management experience, team facilitation, data analysis, change management, best practice translation, and process improvement experience is ideal.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to acquire, assimilate, and analyze data from multiple systems and data sources using a variety of business intelligence and reporting tools.
- Strong communication and presentation skills adaptable for engaging with multiple levels across the organization.
- Ability to operate and take initiative in an environment of ambiguity; holds themselves and team members accountable for a high level of performance.
- Required to travel by car or plane up to 25% of the time.
Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.
Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it’s powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you’re a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you’ll find your place at Avient.
Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!
We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.
By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient’s strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.
At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Position your degree as a match for the specialty occupation standard
H-1B eligibility requires that your degree directly relates to the role. A bachelor's or master's in industrial engineering, business administration, or operations management is the strongest fit for Director of Operational Excellence petitions.
Target employers with an active H-1B filing history
Larger manufacturers, healthcare systems, and consulting firms file H-1B petitions regularly. Companies with established immigration infrastructure are far more likely to sponsor than those encountering the process for the first time.
Quantify operational outcomes, not just responsibilities
Sponsors need to justify your petition to USCIS. A resume showing measurable cost reductions, cycle time improvements, or Six Sigma project results makes the specialty occupation argument far stronger than a duties-based description.
Explore the L-1A if you have a multinational employer
If you've held a managerial or executive role at an overseas affiliate for at least one year in the past three, the L-1A intracompany transfer bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely and is well-suited for Director-level roles.
Certifications strengthen your specialty occupation case
Credentials like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, or ASQ certifications signal that this role requires specialized expertise beyond general management, supporting the H-1B specialty occupation requirement during USCIS adjudication.
Engage employers before the April H-1B registration window
H-1B registration opens in early March. Securing an offer and completing the employer's immigration intake process before that window closes is critical. Late offers often push your start date back by a full year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Director of Operational Excellence a qualifying specialty occupation for the H-1B?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates whether the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Directors of Operational Excellence are typically required to hold degrees in industrial engineering, operations management, or business, which supports the specialty occupation classification. Roles where any degree satisfies the requirement regardless of field face higher RFE risk.
Which visa types do employers most commonly use to sponsor Director of Operational Excellence roles?
The H-1B visa is the most common path for new hires from outside the U.S. The L-1A is a strong alternative for candidates transferring from an overseas office in a managerial or executive capacity, as it bypasses the lottery. EB-1C is the typical immigrant visa path for those pursuing permanent residence in this function.
Do I need an advanced degree to get sponsored for this role?
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is the minimum threshold for H-1B eligibility, but many employers seeking a Director-level operations leader prefer a master's in business administration or industrial engineering. A strong degree match reduces RFE risk. Candidates without a four-year degree may qualify using the three-for-one work experience equivalency rule.
How can I find Director of Operational Excellence jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles where employers are willing to sponsor visas, saving you from applying to positions that will screen you out. Operational Excellence director roles on Migrate Mate are predominantly at mid-to-large companies in manufacturing, healthcare, and supply chain, which are the sectors most likely to have active immigration programs.
What makes an H-1B petition for this role more likely to get approved?
USCIS scrutinizes Director-level H-1B petitions more closely when the job description reads as general management rather than specialized practice. The strongest petitions tie the role explicitly to a technical discipline, such as Lean methodology or process engineering, document that the degree requirement is standard in the industry, and are supported by a detailed employer support letter.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director Operational Excellence jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.