Operational Excellence Lead
Commercial Vehicle Group · Vonore, TN
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 23 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management continuous improvement role at Commercial Vehicle Group (automotive) in Vonore, TN. Promote a safe working environment through Lean practices.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree preferred · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Commercial Vehicle Group
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 on the team. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to J.R. → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
About the role
Qualifications
- ✓Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- ✓Experience: 3+ years in operational excellence, Lean manufacturing, or similar roles within a plant environment. Experience leading teams of hourly and salaried employees.
- ✓Certifications: Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) is highly desirable.
- ✓Skills:
- ✓Expertise in Lean tools and methodologies.
- ✓Ability to be hands-on in teaching Lean methodologies.
- ✓Strong project management and organizational skills.
- ✓Proficiency in data analysis and process optimization.
- ✓Exceptional communication, coaching, and leadership abilities.
- ✓Ability to influence and drive change at all organizational levels.
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Current CVG employees, please click HERE to login and apply.
The Operational Excellence Lead will lead the successful implementation of operational strategies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and promote a culture of continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment. This role requires a hands-on leader with expertise in Lean methodologies, Continuous Improvement Programs, change management, and cross-functional collaboration to align plant operations with organizational goals.
Strategy Implementation
- •Lead the deployment of Lean/Operational Excellence strategies across the plant.
- •Ensure alignment of plant processes with corporate goals for operational excellence and Lean manufacturing.
Lean Methodology Deployment
- •Champion Lean principles such as Waste Reduction, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, TPM, and Six Sigma.
- •Conduct workshops, training, and mentoring to develop Lean capabilities among plant teams.
Continuous Improvement Initiatives
- •Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities through data analysis and process evaluations.
- •Schedule and execute Kaizen Events. Teach and Coach on how to set up, execute, and follow-up Kaizen events.
- •Drive initiatives that eliminate waste, improve quality, and optimize costs.
Change Management
- •Engage with plant leadership and staff to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
- •Manage resistance to change by demonstrating the value of new practices and processes.
Performance Monitoring
- •Develop KPIs to track progress against strategic goals and Lean initiatives.
- •Present performance updates and improvement outcomes to stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- •Partner with engineering, finance, production, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure integrated solutions.
- •Act as a liaison between corporate and plant-level teams to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans.
Compliance and Safety
- •Ensure all process changes comply with regulatory and safety standards.
- •Promote a safe working environment through Lean practices.
Competencies
- •Problem-solving mindset with a focus on results.
- •Strong interpersonal skills and ability to inspire collaboration.
- •Culture transformation mindset with an effective change management approach
- •Resilient under pressure and adaptable to evolving priorities.
Visa Sponsorship
At this time, we are not providing sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of the job posting location on a full-time basis.
No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors
Please note that Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) and any of its affiliated companies does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to CVG will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before any resume or offer is received.
Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG) makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by CVG. Applicants should never provide their national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact CVG through CVG’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.