Purpose and role of job:
The Operational Excellence Leader builds organizational capability by coaching leaders, technical specialists, and teams in Operational Excellence systems, equipment reliability, problem solving, technical skill development, and continuous improvement. Operating primarily during the day shift, this role partners closely with production, maintenance, engineering, and site leadership to strengthen performance management systems, develop technical skills, and foster collaboration across departments. Success is achieved by enabling teams to identify opportunities, solve problems, improve systems, and sustain results independently, creating a culture of disciplined execution and continuous improvement.
Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:
- Coach leaders, technical specialists, and teams on Operational Excellence principles, performance management systems, and disciplined execution.
- Support development and use of meaningful KPIs, visual management tools, and effective daily, weekly, and monthly review processes.
- Facilitate structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to address chronic losses and sustain improvements.
- Promote equipment reliability by guiding teams in loss identification, elimination, and proactive maintenance practices.
- Deliver advanced technical training and assist in creating technical qualification pathways.
- Coach employees on equipment function, operating principles, and failure modes.
- Develop and maintain One Point Lessons and other learning tools for critical equipment and processes.
- Improve consistency and quality of training content and knowledge management systems.
- Support leadership development by reinforcing coaching, accountability, and facilitation skills.
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Learning & Development teams to align Operational Excellence systems.
- Share best practices and lessons learned across departments/sites to strengthen organizational capability.
Qualifications/ education and experience requirements:
(e.g. degrees, certificates of specific trainings)
- Associate degree or equivalent manufacturing and technical experience.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience with Operational Excellence, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, Lean, or other continuous improvement approaches.
- Demonstrated experience in manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, reliability, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement.
- Strong coaching, facilitation, and communication skills.
- Ability to influence leaders and technical personnel without direct authority.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to work effectively across multiple departments and organizational levels.
- Ability to work primarily day shift with flexibility to support off-shift coaching, training, and improvement activities.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Business, or related field.
- Experience with Manufacturing Excellence, TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Reliability, or Operational Excellence systems.
- Experience facilitating root cause analysis and structured problem solving.
- Experience with KPI development and visual management systems.
- Experience facilitating Equipment Initial Cleaning activities.
- Experience developing technical training materials and qualification systems.
- Experience creating One Point Lessons and technical learning resources.
- Experience in paper, tissue, converting, packaging, or continuous manufacturing operations.
Skills/ competencies requirements:
(e.g., analytical, teamwork, problem solving, ability to use certain equipment, etc.)
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage and influence employees at all levels.
- Ability to influence without direct authority and build trust with diverse teams.
- Skilled in structured problem-solving and root cause analysis methods.
- Strong analytical skills to connect operational data to improvement priorities.
- Ability to reinforce disciplined use of performance management systems.
- Skilled at translating technical learning into practical training materials.
- Commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
- Adaptability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and respond to changing priorities.
Work Environment (if applicable):
- Role is primarily based on the manufacturing floor during day shift operations, with occasional nightshift work to support coaching, training, or improvement activities.
- Daily interaction with operators, technicians, engineers, maintenance personnel, and supervisors in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
- Exposure to industrial equipment, moving machinery, and varying noise levels; hearing protection and other PPE required.
- Environment may include temperature variations depending on production areas.
- Strong floor presence is expected, with limited time spent in an office setting.
Physical and Other Requirements (if appliable):
- Work involves standing, walking, and moving throughout the facility for extended periods.
- May require climbing stairs, bending, or reaching to observe equipment and processes.
- Travel between departments or production lines within the facility is routine; occasional travel to other company sites may be required.
Direct Reports (if applicable):
None
Disclaimer:
The above information on this job description has been described to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents. Other duties and responsibilities not specifically described may be assigned from time to time, consistent with knowledge, skills and abilities of the incumbent.
First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.
First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.
