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Director Of Operational Excellence Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GENERAL SUMMARY The Director of Operational Excellence reports to the VP of Engineering and is responsible to lead the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of a sustainable ...

$120 - $180/hr

Director of Operational Excellence - Nashville Hybrid / Remote Surrounding Areas Job Category: Human Resources Requisition Number: DIREC040995 * Posted : August 21, 2026 * Full-Time * Remote ...

As the Director of Operational Excellence of our Advanced Metals Solutions (AMS) you will be responsible for driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of ...

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Director Of Operational Excellence information

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$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do director of operational excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of operational excellence in the United States is $107,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of operational excellence do?

A Director of Operational Excellence is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives within an organization to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality. They develop strategies, implement best practices, and lead cross-functional teams to optimize processes and reduce costs. Their role often includes overseeing performance metrics, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring alignment with business goals. By leveraging methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile, they help organizations achieve sustainable growth and operational success.

How does a director of operational excellence typically collaborate with other departments to drive process improvements?

A Director of Operational Excellence works closely with cross-functional teams such as IT, HR, finance, and production to identify inefficiencies and implement best practices. Regular meetings, workshops, and data-driven analysis sessions are common, allowing the Director to facilitate alignment and encourage a culture of continuous improvement. Effective collaboration often involves leading change management initiatives and ensuring all stakeholders are engaged and informed throughout the improvement process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of operational excellence, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Operational Excellence, you need expertise in process improvement methodologies (such as Lean, Six Sigma), business management, and a proven track record of leading transformation initiatives, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or engineering. Familiarity with process mapping tools, performance metrics systems, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are commonly required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and communicate across all organizational levels are crucial soft skills. These capabilities are essential for driving sustainable operational improvements, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and achieving organizational goals.

What is the difference between Director Of Operational Excellence vs Operations Manager?

AspectDirector Of Operational ExcellenceOperations Manager
Primary FocusProcess improvement, strategic initiatives, organizational efficiencyDay-to-day operations, team management, project execution
Required CredentialsTypically bachelor's degree, certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvementUsually bachelor's degree, experience in operations, management certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, executive-level meetingsSupervising teams, managing operational tasks, ensuring productivity

The Director Of Operational Excellence focuses on strategic process improvements and organizational efficiency, often working across departments and with executive leadership. In contrast, the Operations Manager handles daily operational activities, manages teams, and ensures smooth execution of projects. Both roles require related certifications and experience but differ mainly in scope and level of strategic involvement.

Is director of operational excellence a good career?

The director of operational excellence is a senior leadership role focused on improving organizational processes, efficiency, and quality. It typically requires strong skills in process improvement methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma and offers opportunities for advancement into executive management. The role is in demand across various industries, making it a stable and potentially rewarding career path.
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States with the most job openings for Director Of Operational Excellence jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Of Operational Excellence job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Director of Operational Excellence

APS East Coast Inc

Jacksonville, FL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Summary/Objective

The Director of Operations Excellence role is responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s strategy to deliver world-class quality, efficient processes, and consistently superior customer experience. This role leads cross-functional transformation initiatives to strengthen operational performance, eliminate waste, enhance compliance, and build a culture of continuous improvement that supports long-term organizational competitiveness.

The role partners with senior leadership, site and regional operations, quality management, and customer-facing teams to ensure operational excellence principles drive measurable business outcomes.

Essential Functions

Operational Excellence Strategy & Leadership
  • Develop and lead the enterprise Operational Excellence strategy encompassing quality improvement, process optimization, and operational efficiency.
  • Translate organizational goals into executable improvement roadmaps, priorities, and performance targets.
  • Advise senior leadership on opportunities that increase competitiveness, strengthen operational capabilities, and elevate the customer experience.
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision making, and operational discipline at all levels of the organization.
Quality Systems & Performance
  • Oversee development, deployment, and continual improvement of quality management systems and standards.
  • Monitor quality performance metrics and lead initiatives that reduce defects, rework, variation, and customer-impacting issues.
  • Partner with operations, engineering, and customer teams to improve product / service quality, reliability, and consistency.
  • Ensure quality frameworks, audits, corrective actions, and risk mitigation strategies comply with relevant standards and certifications.
 Process Optimization & Efficiency
  • Lead cross-functional efforts to eliminate operational waste, streamline workflows, and optimize end-to-end processes.
  • Facilitate value-stream mapping, root cause analysis, Kaizen events, and Lean/Six Sigma-based projects that enhance throughput and scalability.
  • Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices to ensure repeatable, stable, and efficient processes across sites or business units.
  • Drive digital enablement and automation initiatives that improve visibility, reduce manual work, and enhance reliability.
Customer Experience & Competitiveness
  • Translate customer requirements, pain points, and feedback into operational improvements that enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Partner with commercial, service, and product teams to ensure processes are designed for the end-user and deliver a frictionless experience.
  • Lead initiatives that differentiate the organization through superior service quality, responsiveness, and operational consistency.
Performance Management & Measurement
  • Establish KPIs and dashboards to measure performance across quality, efficiency, throughput, and customer metrics.
  • Provide transparent, data-driven insights to leadership, enabling informed decision-making and prioritization.
  • Ensure accountability for results by coaching leaders and teams in operational excellence principles and tools.
Leadership & Change Management
  • Mentor and develop a high-performing Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence team.
  • Build organizational capability through training, coaching, and deployment of Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies.
  • Lead complex change initiatives using structured change-management practices to drive adoption and sustainment.

Key Competencies

  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to see the “big picture”
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
  • Ability to work independently
  • Willingness to support ad hoc projects and evolving business needs
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally with non-finance partners
  • Proactive, process-improvement mindset
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills

 

 

Competencies

  • Strategic thinking and business acumen
  • Operational and quality discipline
  • Customer-centric problem solving
  • Influential leadership and executive communication
  • Continuous improvement mindset
  • Ability to lead without direct authority across functions
  • Data-driven decision making
  • High emotional intelligence and change leadership

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has direct reports.

Work Environment

Well-lighted, heated, and/or air-conditioned indoor office

Physical Demands

Sedentary physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature. Manual dexterity sufficient to work with the fingers.

 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are primarily Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the office.

 

Travel

Ability to travel freely across freely across US, Mexico and Canada up to 20%.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Quality, or related field.
  • 7–10+ years of progressive experience in quality, operations, continuous improvement, or performance excellence roles.
  • Demonstrated leadership in deploying Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Proven success delivering measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and customer experience.
  • Strong analytical mindset; ability to translate data into insights and action.
  • Experience leading cross-functional initiatives in multi-site or complex operational environments.

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Quality, or related field.
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
  • Experience with leading ISO certifications, or other quality certification frameworks.
  • Experience in logistics, manufacturing, distribution, or multi-site operational models.

Background in process improvement, automation, or operational technology enablement.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Must be able to obtain TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential).

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.