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Director Operations Excellence Jobs in Raleigh, NC

MedPharm

Sr. Director, Technical Operations

Durham, NC · On-site

Develop and execute manufacturing strategies and operational excellence initiatives aligned with ... Direct Reports: Yes * Indirect Reports: Yes Key Relationships (examples: Depts or Individual ...

MedPharm

Sr. Director, Technical Operations

Durham, NC · On-site

Develop and execute manufacturing strategies and operational excellence initiatives aligned with ... Direct Reports: Yes * Indirect Reports: Yes Key Relationships (examples: Depts or Individual ...

MedPharm Ltd

Sr. Director, Technical Operations

Durham, NC · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Develop and execute manufacturing strategies and operational excellence initiatives aligned with ... Direct Reports: Yes * Indirect Reports: Yes Key Relationships (examples: Depts or Individual ...

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Director Operations Excellence information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$33.1K

$104.7K

$174.5K

How much do director operations excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director operations excellence in Raleigh, NC is $104,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,400.00 and $131,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a director of operations excellence typically drive cross-functional collaboration to improve organizational processes?

A Director of Operations Excellence often leads initiatives that require close collaboration with departments such as supply chain, finance, IT, and quality assurance. They facilitate workshops, set up process improvement teams, and establish clear communication channels to ensure alignment on goals and timelines. By leveraging data-driven insights and best practices, they help teams identify inefficiencies, implement standardized processes, and measure outcomes. This collaborative approach not only accelerates improvement efforts but also fosters a culture of continuous innovation across the organization.

What does a director of operations excellence do?

A Director of Operations Excellence is responsible for overseeing and improving organizational processes to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality across various departments. They develop and implement strategies, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean or Six Sigma methodologies. This role involves analyzing performance metrics, identifying areas for operational improvement, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve business goals. Directors of Operations Excellence also ensure compliance with industry standards and help drive a culture of excellence within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of operations excellence?

To thrive as a Director of Operations Excellence, you need expertise in process improvement, project management, and strategic planning, usually supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, ERP systems, and certifications like PMP or Six Sigma Black Belt are commonly required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills help drive cross-functional initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. These skills and qualifications are vital for optimizing organizational efficiency, ensuring sustainable growth, and delivering operational results.

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

AspectDirector Operations ExcellenceOperations Manager
ResponsibilitiesStrategic process improvement, cross-departmental initiatives, long-term efficiency goalsDay-to-day operations management, team supervision, short-term problem solving
Required CredentialsTypically bachelor's degree, certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvementUsually bachelor's degree, experience in operations, certifications may be beneficial
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning sessions, corporate offices, cross-functional teamsOperational sites, team management, direct interaction with staff

The main difference is that the Director Operations Excellence focuses on strategic, organization-wide process improvements and long-term efficiency initiatives, while the Operations Manager handles daily operational activities and team supervision. Both roles often require similar certifications like Lean or Six Sigma but differ in scope and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Operations Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Operations Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Director Operations Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Operations Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Director Operations Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Director Operations Excellence jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Director Operations Excellence job openings:
Director Operations Excellence jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Operations Excellence job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,674 per year, or $50.3 per hour.

Senior Specialist, Operational Excellence

KBI Biopharma, Inc.

Durham, NC • On-site

$67K - $86K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

KBI Biopharma rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job summary
KBI Biopharma is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Operational Excellence (OpEx) Specialist or Senior Specialist to support the implementation and sustainability of the KBI Business System at our Patriot Park manufacturing site in North Carolina. This individual will be instrumental in driving continuous improvement initiatives that align with site and global strategy, enhance operational performance, and foster a culture of excellence across functions. This role will be 80% dedicated to shop floor engagement, partnering closely with Operations, Quality, and Support functions to drive real-time improvement, reduce variability, and optimize process flow through direct observation, facilitation, and collaboration. A critical component of this role includes performing time and motion studies, standard work analysis, and supporting the implementation of Lean principles in a regulated biomanufacturing environment.
Job Responsibilities
Continuous Improvement Deployment
  • Support deployment of the KBI Business System (Lean Management System) including Daily Management, Visual Controls, Standard Work, Gemba, and Leader Standard Work.
  • Facilitate and lead Kaizen events (PDCA/DMAIC) targeting process efficiency, quality improvement, waste reduction, and productivity gains.
  • Utilize problem-solving methodologies (A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone, Root Cause Analysis, RCCM, DMAIC) to address and eliminate chronic issues.
  • Track and report the impact of improvement initiatives using value capture tools (e.g., cost avoidance, cycle time reduction, productivity KPIs).

Training & Coaching
  • Deliver Lean training workshops and coach site leaders and teams on the use of Lean tools and behaviors.
  • Promote and guide implementation of a zero-loss mindset and employee engagement in continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Provide coaching on Practical Problem Solving, Tiered Accountability, and Layered Process Audits.
  • Champion a Zero-Loss Culture by empowering shop floor teams to drive daily Kaizen and problem solving.
  • Collaborate with functional teams to create and execute action plans based on Gemba findings and study data.

Performance Management & Governance
  • Support the development and maturity of site performance management systems (SQDCP boards, tier meetings, KPI dashboards).
  • Assist departments in developing metrics and visual management systems aligned to business goals.
  • Participate in governance routines such as Obeya steering committee meetings, Transformation Office updates, and CI Steering Committee.

Strategic Project Support
  • Act as an internal consultant supporting cross-functional projects aligned to strategic goals (Hoshin Kanri).
  • Conduct process mapping, time studies, and waste analysis to recommend and implement improvements.
  • Collaborate with Digital Enablement teams on systems, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibility:
  • Shop Floor Gemba & Observation: Daily engagement at the Gemba to observe work as it happens, identify waste, and support teams in continuous improvement.
  • Time & Motion Studies / Process Analysis: Conduct time studies, takt/cycle time calculations, and work content analysis to identify process variation and bottlenecks.
  • Daily Management System (Tiered Accountability): Support maturity of SQDCP tiered boards, visual management, and performance escalation from Tier 1 and 2.
  • Standard Work Development & Implementation: Assist in standard work development and deployment, documentation, operator work instructions, and auditing for consistency and compliance.
  • Kaizen Facilitation & Problem-Solving Events: Lead or support CI projects using PDCA or DMAIC methodology targeting efficiency, quality, and cost improvements.
  • Training & Coaching at Gemba: Coach associates, team leads, supervisors, and managers on Lean tools, problem solving, and KBI Business System principles through hands-on support.
  • Governance Support & Performance Reporting: Support CI Steering Committee, Obeya Room routines, and impact tracking via dashboards and value capture logs.

Minimum Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
  • Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
  • Specialist: Minimum 1 year of experience supporting manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Lean deployment.
  • Senior Specialist: 3+ years of experience in a GMP or regulated manufacturing environment with demonstrated project facilitation and coaching capabilities.
  • Strong proficiency in time study tools and techniques (stopwatch, video analysis, standard work combination sheets).
  • Familiarity with manufacturing operations in a biopharma, pharmaceutical, or high-mix, low-volume environment.
  • Ability to analyze shop floor data and drive decisions based on cycle time, changeover duration, yield, and flow.
  • Working knowledge of Lean tools: 5S, SMED, VSM, Visual Management, Standard Work, Error Proofing, A3, RCA, DMAIC.
  • Comfortable working in GMP cleanroom environments with appropriate PPE.
  • Strong business and financial acumen with ability to identify and quantify financial benefit from project work
  • A drive for excellence, continuous improvement, simplification, and making things easier
  • Ability to motivate, influence, and coach others under their direct or indirect management

Language Ability
  • Ability to read and interpret English documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, batch and production records. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Strong time management skills and an ability to multitask in a face paced environment. Ability to deliver high quality documentation paying attention to detail.
  • Ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts and make them easily understandable in text and pictures.

Math Ability
  • Ability to add, subtracts, multiply, and divides in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret various graphs

Physical Demands
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:
  • GMP Environment Requirements: Must be able to wear appropriate PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, hair/beard covers, safety glasses, shoe covers) and follow gowning procedures to enter controlled cleanroom areas and classified environments.
  • Environment: May be exposed to variable temperatures, mechanical equipment, and pharmaceutical-grade cleaning agents used in GMP spaces.

Computer Skills
  • Must be proficient with Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Proficient knowledge of MiniTab, PowerBI, and/or Power Automation is a plus

Equipment Use
  • Basic office equipment (computer, copy machine, etc.)

Working Conditions
Work Hours: This is a full-time, on-site position, typically requiring 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Standard hours are aligned with site operations, but flexibility may be required.
Shift Support: The role may occasionally require coverage or support on alternate shifts, including early morning, evening, or overnight hours, depending on the needs of improvement initiatives or project timelines.
Weekend Work: Periodic weekend availability may be required to support Kaizen events, system implementations, or cross-functional activities.
Work Environment:
  • The role is 80% shop floor-based, primarily within GMP manufacturing environments, cleanrooms, and support areas.
  • Must adhere to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards.
  • The remaining 20% of time may be spent in an office or conference room setting for documentation, planning, data analysis, and reporting.
  • Workspace: A designated workstation will be provided for office work, but a significant portion of the work is mobile, hands-on, and collaborative in nature.

KBI Biopharma, Inc. is an EEO/AA employer and actively seeks to diversify its work force. Therefore, all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status, are strongly encouraged to apply.
I understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for KBI Biopharma, Inc. to hire me. If I am hired, I understand that either KBI Biopharma, Inc. or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of KBI Biopharma, Inc. has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.
I attest with my signature below that I have given to KBI Biopharma, Inc. true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize KBI Biopharma, Inc. to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.

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