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Director Manufacturing Excellence Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nestle

Manufacturing Excellence Manager

Bohemia, NY

$125K - $145K/yr

Position Summary: The Manufacturing Excellence Manager is responsible for the development ... Food, CPG or Pharmaceutical experience preferred which includes: 2+ Years of direct production ...

Polaris, Inc.

Manufacturing Excellence Program

Roseau, MN · On-site

$20.71 - $24.45/hr

Manufacturing Excellence Program The Manufacturing Excellence Program (MEP) is designed to provide ... Polaris is offering direct hire as well as temporary hire for the Assembly Operator position.

Polaris, Inc.

Manufacturing Excellence Program

Roseau, MN · On-site

$20.71 - $24.45/hr

Manufacturing Excellence Program The Manufacturing Excellence Program (MEP) is designed to provide ... Polaris is offering direct hire as well as temporary hire for the Assembly Operator position.

hyve solutions

Director Manufacturing

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

Become part of a team that thrives on excellence in a fast changing, high-growth technology environment! Role/Responsibilities * Develop and execute a comprehensive manufacturing strategy aligned ...

Avid Bioservices

Director, Manufacturing

Tustin, CA · On-site

$164K - $219K/yr

Your Role: As the Director of Manufacturing, you occupy a pivotal role in orchestrating the ... excellence. With a relentless commitment to upholding cGMP standards, you ensure the consistent ...

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All JobsDirector Manufacturing Excellence Jobs

Director Manufacturing Excellence information

See salary details

$69.5K

$141.9K

$209.5K

How much do director manufacturing excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for director manufacturing excellence in the United States is $141,872.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Director of Manufacturing Excellence?

A Director of Manufacturing Excellence is a senior leader responsible for driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency across manufacturing processes within an organization. They develop and implement best practices, lean manufacturing principles, and quality standards to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and ensure high product quality. This role often involves leading cross-functional teams, analyzing performance metrics, and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability throughout the manufacturing operations.

What is the difference between Director Manufacturing Excellence vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectDirector Manufacturing ExcellenceManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Engineering, Six Sigma, Lean certificationsBachelor's in Engineering or related field, Six Sigma or Lean certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-departmental collaboration, executive meetingsHands-on production, process improvement, equipment troubleshooting
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing companies, focusing on process optimization and qualityManufacturing plants, focusing on process design and implementation

The main difference is that the Director Manufacturing Excellence oversees strategic initiatives to improve manufacturing processes at a high level, while the Manufacturing Engineer focuses on implementing and optimizing specific manufacturing processes on the ground. The director role involves leadership and planning, whereas the engineer role is more technical and operational.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Manufacturing Excellence, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Manufacturing Excellence, you need deep expertise in lean manufacturing, process optimization, and operational leadership, often backed by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with Six Sigma methodologies, ERP systems, and continuous improvement tools such as Kaizen is typically required, along with relevant certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and change management skills help drive cross-functional teams and foster a culture of improvement. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering sustained operational efficiency, cost savings, and competitive advantage in manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Manufacturing Excellence, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Manufacturing Excellence often encounters challenges such as driving consistent process improvements across diverse teams, overcoming resistance to change, and aligning various departments toward shared operational goals. To address these, effective communication, strong leadership, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement are essential. Building cross-functional teams, providing ongoing training, and leveraging data-driven methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma can help overcome obstacles and drive sustainable results.
More about Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs? Cities with the most Director Manufacturing Excellence job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Manufacturing Excellence jobs? The most popular types of Manufacturing Excellence jobs are:
What states have the most Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs are:
Director Manufacturing Excellence jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Manufacturing Excellence job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,872 per year, or $68.2 per hour.
Senior Director, Manufacturing Excellence

Senior Director, Manufacturing Excellence

Axon

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Axon rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 141 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Your Impact

As Senior Director, Global Manufacturing Excellence, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping how Axon scales its global manufacturing network to support rapid growth, product innovation, and operational excellence.

Reporting to the SVP, Global Manufacturing Operations, you will lead Axon's contract manufacturing strategy and execution while building the systems, processes, and partnerships needed to deliver world-class performance across our global operations network. You will have the opportunity to influence both external manufacturing partners and internal teams, ensuring we deliver against cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and innovation goals.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a broad and lasting impact. You will help define Axon's global manufacturing footprint, strengthen strategic partner relationships, and build the operational excellence capabilities that enable the business to scale. If you are energized by transforming complex operations, leading high-performing teams, and building for the future, this is a chance to drive meaningful impact at a mission-driven company.

What You'll DoContract Manufacturing Strategy & Performance
  • Own performance of global contract manufacturers, including cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and responsiveness
  • Partner with Strategic Sourcing to develop and execute Axon's global contract manufacturing strategy, including partner selection, segmentation, and footprint optimization
  • Establish and manage executive-level relationships with key manufacturing partners
  • Partner with Global Supply Chain to support contract negotiations and ongoing supplier governance
  • Drive accountability through robust governance, scorecards, and performance management systems
  • Ensure manufacturing scalability to support rapid growth, new product introduction (NPI), and geographic expansion
Manufacturing Excellence
  • Define and implement a standardized manufacturing excellence framework across internal and external operations
  • Drive best-in-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC)
  • Establish global standards for manufacturing processes and operational metrics
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and execution teams to ensure seamless product industrialization, production ramp, and capacity utilization
  • Champion digital manufacturing, automation, and data-driven operations in partnership with the Operations Business Accelerators team
Continuous Improvement & Transformation
  • Lead enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen
  • Build and scale a culture of continuous improvement across global teams and manufacturing partners
  • Identify and execute productivity, cost reduction, and efficiency opportunities
  • Drive business process standardization and simplification across manufacturing operations
  • Partner with Operations Business Accelerators across data, automation, and manufacturing operating systems to embed scalable solutions
Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Supply Chain, Product, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to ensure aligned execution
  • Drive strong integration between contract manufacturers and internal teams
  • Support new product introduction and ensure smooth transitions into volume production
  • Align manufacturing capabilities with Axon's product roadmap and business strategy
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build and lead a high-performing global team across contract manufacturing management and operational excellence functions
  • Develop leadership bench strength and succession plans
  • Establish clear goals, accountability, and performance expectations
  • Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous learning
What You BringExperience
  • 10-15+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain leadership
  • Significant experience managing contract manufacturers at scale, ideally across global, multi-partner networks
  • Proven track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement transformations
  • Experience in high-growth, complex hardware or industrial environments strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated success leading large, cross-functional teams and influencing executive stakeholders
Skills
  • Deep expertise in manufacturing operations, supplier performance management, and quality systems
  • Strong financial acumen, including cost modeling and margin optimization
  • Data-driven decision-making experience, including use of analytics and digital tools
  • Excellent executive communication and negotiation skills
  • Ability to operate strategically while driving strong executional detail
Leadership Attributes
  • Results-oriented with a strong bias for action
  • Brings an external mindset and the ability to build and manage high-stakes partnerships
  • Proven change agent with experience leading transformation at scale
  • High accountability and ownership mentality
  • Ability to influence across boundaries and lead through complexity
Benefits that Benefit You
  • Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
  • Discretionary paid time off
  • Paid parental leave for all
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans
  • Fitness Programs
  • Emotional & Mental Wellness support
  • Learning & Development programs
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  • And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work.

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