Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager

Position Summary:

The OPEX Manager will be responsible for accelerating the OPEX change efforts at their assigned production plant by leading organizational/leadership development processes, promoting employee engagement, and driving quality and productivity improvements.  As part of the Plant Leadership Team the OPEX Manager will provide necessary coaching to the team and other individuals regarding organizational effectiveness, operational improvements, and execution of best practices. Monitor progress and advance the transformation to world class over time through continued coaching.  Provide support to location personnel to make certain that progress meets location targets.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for implementing strategy and guiding advancement of OPEX at assigned production location. 
• Collaborate with the Production Manager(s), Quality Managers, and others at the location to develop the sites business plans, priorities/goals and use this knowledge to prioritize Continuous Improvement activity at the production location. 
• Be a role model for the Mindsets and Behaviors necessary to create an environment of trust, participation and accountability.
• Consult with OPEX Methodology Leaders to identify best practices and to simplify and standardize work to deliver improved performance. 
• Actively review site practices to identify opportunities and advise on appropriate organizational interventions (i.e. training, coaching, etc.) for improving site systems and practices to achieve desired outcomes. 
• Guide locations in determining the priorities for process improvements that impact production and business results and champion waste elimination and reduction.
• Build a coaching culture and provide individual coaching to site and above site leadership throughout the change and transformation process.
• Monitor Improvement progress and sustain transformational gains over time through continued metric review and consultation with key stakeholders.
• Responsible for the oversight and direct supervision of the Fuel for Growth projects that will deliver >3% savings per year.
• Lead Improvement Projects utilizing standardized OPEX tools and methods to improve plant performance and achieve results for operations customers. 

Education and Experience:

• College diploma or a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, operations, or comparable technical field; or 3 - 5 years in a Business improvement role and/or operations experience 
• Professional certifications and experience especially helpful in the field of OPEX, World Class Manufacturing, World Class Operations, IWS, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, Training Development, Organizational Development, Coaching, Lean and Change Management 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of production operations, particularly at the plant level 
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and implement organizational and cultural change and deliver results  
• Be a recognized role model in key leadership development skills of feedback, coaching, listening, empowerment, and difficult conversations 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills which include building rapport and maintaining strong relationships across all levels, sensitivity to individual and team needs, collaborating effectively to accomplish work, effective facilitation and teaching skills   
• Effective with coaching and influencing individuals and teams without authority 
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and solution focused problem solving skills 
• Results oriented with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret information from a variety of sources  
• Project management capability with effective time management skills and ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities 
• Ability to see the big picture translating details into an organizational perspective  
• Knowledge and strong working competence in MS Office toolset