Director/Manager of Strategy and Operational Excellence - Pacific Southwest Container : Job Details

Job Summary:We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director or Manager of Strategy and Operational Excellence to lead Pacific Southwest Container's efforts to drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence, with a key focus on empowering our workforce. In this role, you will oversee traditional Continuous Improvement (CI) activities, identify, develop and drive key operational excellence initiatives and champion a robust training and upskilling program for front-line workers. Additionally, you will collaborate cross-functionally to design and implement programs that develop leadership capabilities in others, enabling front-line managers to grow into future organizational leaders. What makes you a good fit:If you're someone who gets excited by the idea of driving operational excellence and making a real impact on both the shop floor and across an entire organization, this role could be a perfect fit for you. We're looking for someone who thrives on tackling big challenges-someone who can break down complex problems into clear, actionable plans and deliver meaningful results. You're process-oriented and structured, with an eye for creating systems that keep things running smoothly while always looking for ways to improve. The idea of developing manufacturing talent in North America should feel like a mission you're passionate about, and you're energized by the thought of growing front-line workers into future leaders. If you're the kind of person who enjoys collaborating across teams, driving strategic initiatives, building a culture of operational excellence, and delivering both quick wins and long-term success, then this job is made for you.Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Operational Excellence Leadership:
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of Continuous Improvement (CI)/Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Business Analytics and HR) to ensure alignment and integration of CI efforts with overall business objectives.
• Build a culture of Operation Excellence by encouraging employee engagement at all levels and supporting a problem-solving mindset.
• Strategic Initiative Ownership
• Leverage analytics and a problem-solving mindset to identify improvement opportunities for the business.
• Develop new processes, approaches to working, and programs that systematically address key challenges to the business and drive measurable positive outcomes.
• Training and Upskilling:
• Develop and implement comprehensive training programs that focus on upskilling front-line workers in key manufacturing competencies, including technical skills, process improvement, and problem-solving techniques.
• Work closely with HR and training teams to ensure that training materials are relevant, accessible, and targeted toward improving performance on the production floor.
• Leverage metrics and KPIs to assess the effectiveness of training programs and ensure they align with business needs and employee career development.
• Leadership Development:
• Collaborate with HR and operations leadership to design leadership development initiatives aimed at growing the leadership pipeline, with a specific focus on front-line managers.
• Foster a growth-oriented environment where front-line managers are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to advance into senior roles.
• Performance Metrics & Reporting:
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to CI initiatives, training outcomes, and leadership development.
• Provide regular reporting to senior leadership, highlighting successes, areas for improvement, and ongoing strategies to maintain momentum.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Master's degree or other advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing successful training and leadership development programs is a plus.
• Proven ability to drive programmatic initiatives that had organizational level impact.
• Strong project management skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills.
• Analytically driven and comfortable collaborating with data analysts to help inform programmatic efforts.
• Ability to own and drive a workstream from initial conceptualization to implementation.
• For Manager Level: 5+ years of professional experience, preferably with an operations focus. Relevant experience at a top management consulting firm or other non-traditional backgrounds will also be considered.
• For Director Level: 8+ years of professional experience, preferably with an operations focus. 1-2 years in a leadership position focused on driving programmatic/department-level efforts. Relevant experience at a top management consulting firm or other non-traditional backgrounds will also be considered.