OtterBase
Job Description
Operational Excellence Manager
Location:
Leola, PA
About Opportunity A brand-new paper plate manufacturing Center of Excellence is opening in Leola, PA. We are seeking a passionate, results-driven Operational Excellence Manager to help launch and sustain this new operation. With a relentless focus on manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement, you will play a key role in fostering a "One Team" culture-uniting people around shared goals and delivering meaningful outcomes.
What We Offer
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and paid holidays A values-driven culture that prioritizes safety, integrity, innovation, and teamwork Training and development programs to support career growth A chance to make a meaningful impact at a new Center of Excellence What You'll Do
Lead and sustain continuous improvement (CI) initiatives that improve KPIs, reduce waste and variability, and eliminate bottlenecks using Lean tools and data-driven problem solving Champion Daily Management Systems (DMS) and Lean principles across teams, ensuring consistent understanding and application Facilitate Kaizens, lead follow-up problem-solving meetings, and train Managers, Leads, and Supervisors to independently apply CI tools and sustain improvements Reduce waste, defects, and process variability through data-driven analysis and problem solving Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks to improve flow and efficiency Facilitate and support action plans tied to strategic operational goals (A3s, Gantt charts, etc.) What You Bring
Acts as a proactive change agent with the ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels toward a culture of continuous improvement Strong analytical and project management skills with the ability to identify root causes, solve complex problems, and deliver measurable results Clear and effective communication skills; able to train and engage cross-functional teams Champions ownership, accountability, and a learning mindset to strengthen operational discipline and team empowerment Builds strong cross-functional relationships to align priorities, share best practices, and accelerate improvement efforts Experience & Skills
Bachelor's Degree in Operations, Engineering, or related manufacturing field 5+ years of continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment Deep experience in CI, Lean manufacturing, and operational excellence Strong knowledge of methodologies such as FMEA, SMED, Kaizen, 5S, VSM, and Root Cause Analysis Skilled in data collection and statistical analysis; experienced in identifying loss and variation Proficiency in Microsoft Office with the ability to develop actionable reports and implementation plans Preferred: Lean/Six Sigma certification and background in paper converting Work Schedule & Travel
Initial schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Will transition to 24/7 operations later this year; flexibility required Travel required up to 50% during the first several months and throughout 2025-2026 for onboarding, training, and operational excellence initiatives Travel will primarily occur Monday-Friday, with some weekend travel as needed
Operational Excellence Manager
Location:
Leola, PA
About Opportunity A brand-new paper plate manufacturing Center of Excellence is opening in Leola, PA. We are seeking a passionate, results-driven Operational Excellence Manager to help launch and sustain this new operation. With a relentless focus on manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement, you will play a key role in fostering a "One Team" culture-uniting people around shared goals and delivering meaningful outcomes.
What We Offer
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and paid holidays A values-driven culture that prioritizes safety, integrity, innovation, and teamwork Training and development programs to support career growth A chance to make a meaningful impact at a new Center of Excellence What You'll Do
Lead and sustain continuous improvement (CI) initiatives that improve KPIs, reduce waste and variability, and eliminate bottlenecks using Lean tools and data-driven problem solving Champion Daily Management Systems (DMS) and Lean principles across teams, ensuring consistent understanding and application Facilitate Kaizens, lead follow-up problem-solving meetings, and train Managers, Leads, and Supervisors to independently apply CI tools and sustain improvements Reduce waste, defects, and process variability through data-driven analysis and problem solving Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks to improve flow and efficiency Facilitate and support action plans tied to strategic operational goals (A3s, Gantt charts, etc.) What You Bring
Acts as a proactive change agent with the ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels toward a culture of continuous improvement Strong analytical and project management skills with the ability to identify root causes, solve complex problems, and deliver measurable results Clear and effective communication skills; able to train and engage cross-functional teams Champions ownership, accountability, and a learning mindset to strengthen operational discipline and team empowerment Builds strong cross-functional relationships to align priorities, share best practices, and accelerate improvement efforts Experience & Skills
Bachelor's Degree in Operations, Engineering, or related manufacturing field 5+ years of continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment Deep experience in CI, Lean manufacturing, and operational excellence Strong knowledge of methodologies such as FMEA, SMED, Kaizen, 5S, VSM, and Root Cause Analysis Skilled in data collection and statistical analysis; experienced in identifying loss and variation Proficiency in Microsoft Office with the ability to develop actionable reports and implementation plans Preferred: Lean/Six Sigma certification and background in paper converting Work Schedule & Travel
Initial schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Will transition to 24/7 operations later this year; flexibility required Travel required up to 50% during the first several months and throughout 2025-2026 for onboarding, training, and operational excellence initiatives Travel will primarily occur Monday-Friday, with some weekend travel as needed