Site Operations Excellence Leader

The Site Operations Excellence Leader is responsible for leading the deployment, maturity, and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the site. This role serves as the site's primary change agent, driving a culture of operational excellence through the implementation of Lean principles, daily management systems, problem-solving methodologies, and employee engagement programs.

The Lean Leader partners with site leadership and cross-functional teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory performance, and cost competitiveness. This position develops organizational capability, coaches leaders and employees, and ensures Lean principles become embedded in the site's operating culture.

• Develop and execute the site's Lean Manufacturing strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead deployment of the company's Operational Excellence, Lean, and Continuous Improvement programs.
• Establish annual Lean objectives, performance targets, and improvement roadmaps.
• Drive alignment between site goals and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as the site's subject matter expert for Lean systems, tools, and methodologies.

• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events focused on improving operational performance.
• Execute Value Stream Mapping activities to identify waste and optimize process flow.
• Drive implementation of Lean tools, including:
  • 5S
  • Visual Management
  • Standard Work
  • Daily Management
  • Kanban
  • SMED (Quick Changeover)
  • Pull Systems
  • Error Proofing (Poka-Yoke)
  • Root Cause Problem Solving
• Establish sustainable improvement processes and controls.

• Identify opportunities to improve:
  • Safety performance
  • Quality performance
  • OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
  • Throughput
  • Productivity
  • Lead Times
  • Inventory Levels
  • Cost Performance
  • Customer Service
• Lead projects that deliver measurable operational and financial improvements.
• Track and validate savings generated from Lean initiatives.

• Develop Lean knowledge and problem-solving capability throughout the organization.
• Train leaders, supervisors, engineers, and frontline employees on Lean methodologies.
• Coach leadership teams on Lean behaviors and continuous improvement practices.
• Establish a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Develop internal Lean champions and improvement leaders.

• Implement and sustain Daily Management Systems throughout the site.
• Establish KPI-driven visual management processes.
• Drive structured problem-solving using:
  • A3 Methodology
  • PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
  • DMAIC
  • 5 Why Analysis
  • Fishbone Diagrams
  • Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA)
• Support leaders in addressing performance gaps through fact-based problem solving.

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS teams.
• Support new product introductions, facility expansions, and operational transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate with corporate Operational Excellence teams to deploy best practices.
• Facilitate improvement efforts across organizational boundaries.

• Establish Lean governance processes and improvement tracking systems.
• Monitor progress of Lean initiatives and report results to site leadership.
• Conduct audits to ensure sustainability of implemented improvements.
• Drive standardization and continuous maturation of Lean systems.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business, or related field required.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business Administration preferred.

• 5–10 years of manufacturing, operational excellence, continuous improvement, or Lean leadership experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean transformations and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping, and structured problem-solving activities.
• Proven success driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Facilities, Supply Chain, and EHS teams.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred)
• Certified Continuous Improvement Professional (CCIP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) (preferred)

• Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies
• Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence systems
• Toyota Production System (TPS)
• Kaizen facilitation techniques
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• Standard Work development
• Visual Management systems
• Daily Management Systems (DMS)
• Root Cause Analysis methodologies
• Problem-solving frameworks (A3, PDCA, DMAIC, 5 Why Analysis)
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Manufacturing operations and production processes
• Quality management systems
• Production planning and scheduling
• Performance management and KPI development
• Change management principles
• Cost reduction and productivity improvement methods
• Supply chain and material flow processes
• Safety and environmental regulations within manufacturing environments

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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