Operational Excellence Manager/Lean Manager - Sanford, ME

Our client is looking for an Operational Excellence Manager that thrives in a role that is highly visible and hands on!  In this leadership position, you will be responsible for implementing solutions for manufacturing and administration, perform/lead operational activities to achieve and enhance the designed output of production and business systems.  You will lead continuous improvement efforts which in turn will yield high results through all departments.  Additional responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Develop and incorporate key operational benchmarks into work activities, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and root-cause analysis techniques to drive improvements.
• Lead problem solving teams and Kaizen events to improve operational performance
• Conduct experiments related to improving processes to achieve yield and throughput for more efficient and effective production, identify equipment and process flow bottlenecks.
• Leverage data to drive continuous improvement
• Measure process improvement performance against targets.
• Support an operating culture that promotes involvement, communication, accountability, and passion for excellence.
• Coach and practice strong and disciplined LEAN methodology to enable focus on process improvement and waste elimination.
• Direct supervision of assigned employees including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Provide project management oversight to ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and budget.
• Develops annual budget for the department
• Coordinate manufacturing launch for new or revised products
• Ensure the Operational Excellence (lean) methodology is utilized to drive sustainable manufacturing and business process improvements that optimize capacity, reduce lead-time, minimize inventories, maximize fill-rates, process flow, and productivity.
• Lead facility design and layout projects with Engineering and Manufacturing teams. This includes creating a project plan to coordinate equipment moves throughout the facility to match the facility design and future state value stream map.
• Plan work schedules, expenditures, attend meetings, and prepare monthly reports as required, ensuring effective communication of ideas, information, and issues to appropriate stakeholders.
• Responsible for leading projects of varied scope, which include overseeing the department personnel in the implementation of new or modified equipment, products, or processes.

Qualified candidates should have 8+ years' experience, BS degree, and proven leadership experience.