Position Summary

Our company is seeking a high-impact Director of Operational Excellence to drive manufacturing performance, operating discipline, and structured problem solving across the Salt Lake City campus.

This is a company-wide role. The successful candidate will build and institutionalize operating routines, improve OEE, strengthen cross-functional execution, and elevate leadership rigor across the plant.

This is not a traditional PMO or purely technical role. The ideal leader combines:

• strong manufacturing credibility
• influential and positional leadership
• disciplined, structured problem solving

This individual will partner closely with existing technical and functional leaders while driving the systems, processes, and accountability required to support our next phase of growth.

Key Objectives (First 6 to 12 Months)

• Implement structured problem-solving methodologies plant-wide
• Stabilize and improve OEE and operating discipline
• Establish consistent daily, weekly, and monthly performance routines
• Support and help drive the Belvac improvement initiative
• Strengthen cross-functional execution and follow-through
• Elevate leadership effectiveness and accountability across teams

Essential Responsibilities

Manufacturing Performance & Operational Excellence

• Lead plant-wide operational excellence initiatives
• Drive measurable improvements in OEE, throughput, downtime, and waste
• Implement standardized performance management routines across the facility
• Analyze production data and KPIs to identify gaps and drive corrective action
• Partner with leadership to translate technical insights into sustainable process improvements
• Support high-speed manufacturing optimization across the site

Structured Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Deploy and institutionalize a consistent structured problem-solving methodology (Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, PDCA, or similar)
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes for major performance gaps
• Build internal capability and train teams on problem-solving discipline
• Drive a culture of data-based decision making and accountability
• Ensure improvement initiatives are executed with rigor and follow-through

Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead through both positional authority and strong influential leadership
• Strengthen operating discipline within plant teams
• Coach and develop front-line and mid-level leaders
• Improve cross-functional alignment between operations, maintenance, quality, and supply chain
• Serve as a force multiplier for the COO in driving plant performance

Maintenance & Reliability Partnership (Preferred)

• Partner closely with maintenance leadership to improve asset reliability
• Identify opportunities to improve preventive and predictive maintenance effectiveness
• Support downtime reduction initiatives tied to equipment performance

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Progressive leadership experience in high-speed manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated success improving OEE and plant performance
• Strong background in structured problem-solving methodologies
• Experience leading both:
• teams with direct authority
• cross-functional initiatives through influence
• Proven ability to implement operating systems and performance routines
• Strong data orientation and KPI-driven mindset

Preferred Experience

• Beverage, packaging, bottling, can making, or similar FMCG manufacturing
• High-speed consumer goods manufacturing environments
• Maintenance or reliability methodology, "the business of maintenance"
• Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous improvement training (Green Belt, Black Belt, or similar preferred but not required)

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• High ownership mindset and strong follow-through
• Comfort operating in fast-moving, hands-on manufacturing environments
• Ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability
• Strong floor presence and credibility with operators and leaders
• Systems thinker who can translate strategy into daily execution
• Influential leader who can drive change without relying solely on authority

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred. Equivalent practical manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.

Physical Requirements

• Regular standing, walking, and plant floor presence required
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds
• Ability to work in a high-speed manufacturing environment