Vice President, Operational Excellence Full Time NEW

Vice President, Operational Excellence

Industry

Manufacturing / Healthcare / Energy / Logistics / Technology / Pharmaceutical / Corporate Services

Department

Operational Excellence / Operations / Continuous Improvement / Executive Leadership

Reports To

Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Executive Vice President of Operations

Job Summary

The Vice President of Operational Excellence is a senior executive responsible for leading enterprise-wide operational improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, productivity, quality, cost optimization, process standardization, and organizational performance. This role drives continuous improvement strategies using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, automation, and digital transformation methodologies.

The VP of Operational Excellence collaborates with executive leadership, operations teams, engineering, supply chain, quality assurance, finance, and technology departments to improve operational performance, strengthen scalability, and support long-term business growth.

Key ResponsibilitiesEnterprise Operational Excellence Leadership

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide operational excellence strategies.
• Establish organizational performance standards, KPIs, and operational benchmarks.
• Lead operational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational discipline.
• Align operational excellence programs with corporate business objectives.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM, and operational excellence programs.
• Identify inefficiencies, waste, bottlenecks, and process improvement opportunities.
• Improve productivity, cycle time, operational quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Standardize business processes and operational best practices across facilities and departments.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and corrective action initiatives.

Operational Performance Management

• Monitor enterprise operational KPIs and performance metrics.
• Analyze operational data to drive strategic decision-making and performance improvement.
• Improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), service efficiency, and operational reliability.
• Support enterprise productivity and profitability initiatives.
• Develop operational dashboards and executive reporting systems.

Digital Transformation & Innovation

• Support implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies, automation, robotics, AI, IoT, and advanced analytics.
• Lead operational modernization and smart operations initiatives.
• Improve digital workflow integration and process automation capabilities.
• Collaborate with IT and engineering teams on technology-driven operational improvements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and operational trends.

Financial & Cost Management

• Drive cost reduction and operational efficiency programs.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and operational investment planning.
• Develop ROI analyses and business cases for improvement projects.
• Improve labor efficiency, asset utilization, and operational profitability.
• Optimize resource allocation and enterprise operational spending.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead directors, operational excellence managers, Lean leaders, and continuous improvement teams.
• Mentor operational leadership and future executives.
• Build high-performance improvement cultures across the organization.
• Support workforce training and Lean/Six Sigma development programs.
• Foster collaboration across departments and operational regions.

Compliance, Quality & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory standards, and operational governance requirements.
• Collaborate with quality, EHS, and compliance teams on risk reduction initiatives.
• Support enterprise quality assurance and operational audit programs.
• Improve operational reliability and business continuity capabilities.
• Promote workplace safety and operational compliance.

Strategic Planning & Corporate Collaboration

• Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term business strategy and operational scalability.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and operational integration projects.
• Benchmark industry best practices and operational performance standards.
• Participate in executive strategy meetings and board-level operational reviews.
• Support enterprise sustainability and ESG operational initiatives.

QualificationsEducation

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Finance, or related field required.
• MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.

Experience

• 15–20+ years of operational leadership or continuous improvement experience.
• Strong executive-level experience in operational excellence and enterprise transformation.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or enterprise optimization programs.
• Multi-site or global operations leadership experience preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Executive operational excellence leadership
• Lean Six Sigma expertise
• Strategic operational planning
• Enterprise transformation and process optimization
• Financial and performance analysis
• Digital transformation and automation knowledge
• Leadership development and organizational management
• Strong executive communication and decision-making abilities

Certifications (Preferred)

• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certifications
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Change Management Certifications
• APICS / Supply Chain Certifications

Work Environment

• Executive corporate office environment with frequent interaction across operational facilities and regional business units.
• May involve domestic and international travel.
• Fast-paced executive leadership environment with enterprise-wide responsibilities.

Salary Range (United States)

• Typically ranges from $230,000 to $500,000+ annually
• Compensation packages may include:
• Executive bonuses
• Stock options or equity
• Long-term incentive plans (LTI)
• Profit-sharing
• Executive benefits packages

Common Industry Titles

• VP of Operational Excellence
• Vice President, Continuous Improvement
• VP of Business Excellence
• Vice President, Enterprise Operations
• VP of Process Improvement
• Head of Operational Excellence
• Executive Director of Operational Excellence

Typical Employers

• Manufacturing Corporations
• Healthcare Organizations
• Energy & Utility Companies
• Logistics & Supply Chain Firms
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Aerospace & Defense Companies
• Technology Enterprises
• Consumer Goods Companies
• Financial Services Firms
• Global Industrial Organizations