NA Operational Excellence Manager

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Position Summary

The Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager is responsible for leading and sustaining operational excellence within NA Irrigation/Tubing by applying Continuous Improvement methodologies, systems, and best practices. Reporting to the Director, Operational Excellence (OPEX), this role translates strategic objectives into actionable initiatives that improve quality, efficiency, and overall operational performance across the organization. The OPEX Manager drives waste reduction, standardization, and problem-solving at the source through hands-on facilitation, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration. This position also oversees quality-related efforts within the Quality Assurance (QA) function, including process development and documentation, root cause and corrective action, implementation of improved methods, and quality-focused project management. Working closely with plant managers, functional leaders, engineering, operations, and customers, the OPEX Manager establishes and monitors key quality metrics while building organizational capability and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout the business.

Essential Functions

• Lead and support the execution of the Site Continuous Improvement Roadmap, aligning initiatives with business objectives, KPIs, and customer requirements.
• Facilitate improvement events and projects (Kaizen, 5S, TPM, Standard Work, SMED, VSM, and RCA) to drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Coach, mentor, and train employees and leaders at all levels to develop problem-solving capability and strengthen ownership of CI principles.
• Leads QA, supply chain, operations, and design engineering when quality problems exist that affect product quality.
• Partner with the Plant Manager and regional leaders to ensure alignment of improvement efforts with strategic business priorities.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement by modeling CI behaviors, developing leader standard work, and integrating CI practices into daily management systems.
• Implement and sustain visual management and performance systems that enable transparency, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.
• Support cultural transformation by engaging employees in daily improvement discussions, team huddles, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Develops, collaborates, models, and educates others on the Valmont quality requirements, including but not limited to, quality management system (QMS) documents, specifications, engineering prints and specifications, and external standards (e.g., AISC, ASTM, AWS).
• Collaborates and educates customers as needed to eliminate any nonconformance. This may, at times, include action-oriented jobsite visits.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste, and variation process, using structured problem-solving tools (PDCA, A3, DMAIC, Fishbone, Pareto) to develop sustainable countermeasures.
• Facilitate data-driven decision-making by tracking site-level CI metrics, analyzing trends, and communicating results to leadership.
• Seek cost savings opportunities related to quality improvements
• Support and maintain 5S and workplace organization standards, ensuring safety, efficiency, and visual control throughout the facility.
• Celebrate and communicate success stories that reinforce positive change and recognize team contributions.

• Coordinate and sustain improvement actions through standard work and regular follow-up.
• Drive engagement and ownership of CI at the operator and supervisor level.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant manufacturing or operations experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success in applying Continuous Improvement methodologies (Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, TPM, SMED, Standard Work, DMAIC).
• Bias for action.
• Demonstrated Experience working in quality assurance
• In-depth understanding and practical application of statistics as they relate to quality such as sampling plans, data analysis, SPC, process capability analysis, etc.
• Proven ability to lead and facilitate improvement events that deliver measurable results.
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to influence and engage across all levels of the organization.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Visio).
• Effective facilitator and coach with the ability to train others and build capability.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering prints and specifications
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification(s) in Continuous Improvement (e.g., Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Lean Practitioner, TPM Certification).
• Experience leading cultural change or implementing a CI culture transformation.
• Technical and Practical Knowledge of manufacturing operations, standard work systems, and performance management.
• Experience collaborating and influencing customers, business partners and auditing agencies
• Detailed understanding of ISO requirements
• 6-Sigma Green, Black or Master Black Belt
• Experienced in MiniTab

Success Profile

• Passionate advocate for employee engagement and cultural transformation.
• Strategic problem-solver who drives improvement through coaching and collaboration.
• Hands-on leader who models bias towards action, discipline, respect, and continuous learning.
• Leader who develops others by demonstrating and taking the lead to ensure process excellence is foundational to the learning process.
• Results-oriented coach who drives others to achieve measurable performance improvements and sustain outcomes.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)

• 401k retirement plan with company match

• Paid time off

• Employer paid life insurance

• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave

• Work Life Support

• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year

• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you have a disability and require any assistance in filling out the application for employment email EEOCompliance@Valmont.com.