Purpose

The Operational Excellence (OpEx) Analyst is responsible for leading and sustaining Lean and continuous improvement initiatives. This role is critical to driving operational efficiency, reducing waste, and improving key business metrics (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity, and Engagement). The OpEx Analyst will partner with cross-functional teams to analyze processes, plan and execute improvement projects, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Drive targeted, sustainable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity, and Engagement by leveraging Lean tools, key metrics, data analysis, and change-management skills
  1. Work with leaders and production teams to define required Lean events or other improvement activities
  2. Ensure activities meet required objectives, including planning events, scheduling events, assisting with participant selection, and following up to ensure the sustainment of improvements
  3. Track operational and financial metrics for completed kaizens, to ensure results meet expectations
  4. Recognize when improvement activity requires a kaizen event, and when it can be done without a formal event, and differentiate planning and timing accordingly
• Training others on Lean tools, problem solving, root cause analysis, critical thinking, and accountability for execution to drive a culture of continuous improvement and change 
• Support deployment of Lean competencies such as Daily Management (DM), Visual Management (VM), Problem Solving, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Change Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Standardized Work (SW), and Workplace Organization 
• Implement the outcomes of operational processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction
• Formulate or modify specifications, layouts and requirements for materials, components, and processes leading to enhancement in safety, quality, and cost reduction
• Maintain a safe and respectful workplace environment
• Monitor lean operation implementations for production 
• Lead cost improvement projects as assigned
• Focus efforts towards continuous improvement of product quality using our ISO 9001:2015.
• Must follow all safety procedures, policy and JSA (Job Safety Analysis)

Competencies

• Demonstrated proficiency with an assortment of Lean tools, such as Value Stream Mapping, Transactional Process Improvement (TPI) or Business Process Improvement (BPI), Standard Work, Flow, Pull, Kanban, Agile, Daily Management, Problem Solving, Error-proofing, etc. 
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking capabilities, with an affinity for fact-finding and data-centric decision making
• Track record of delivering results in a high-paced and constantly changing environment 
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and able to teach employees in a classroom or in a kaizen event
• Able to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting challenging deadlines
• High intellectual curiosity and learning agility
• Strong work ethic with self-motivation, drive for results, and the ability to work independently
• Experience with an ERP system (e.g., planning, scheduling, routing, BOM maintenance, creating work orders, etc.)
• Computer skills, specifically the Microsoft Office365 Suite of applications (Excel skills should be intermediate or advanced)
• Hands-on and fostering a team environment for collaboration and results
• Passion for an environment of rapid changes and a sense of urgency
• Exceptional communication & scheduling skills.
• Successful experience in a team environment. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• A business, engineering, or related field degree is required. 
• Proficiency in English and Spanish speaking, reading, and writing is required.
• 5 years of experience related to Engineering or Manufacturing Operations leadership roles required. 
• Lean certification required. 
• Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.
• Strong presentation skills required.