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Director Operations Excellence Jobs (NOW HIRING)

watlow

Director, Operations

Columbia, MO

At Watlow's Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri , we combine precision ... Director, Operations Columbia, Missouri (On-Site) Watlow is seeking a Director of Operations to ...

Urban Grid Solar Projects, LLC

Director, Operations

Houston, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Director, Operations is critical to delivering Sustainable Operational Excellence through safe, compliant, and performance-driven operations, reinforced by a strong culture of accountability and ...

Urban Grid Solar Projects, LLC

Director, Operations

Houston, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Director, Operations is critical to delivering Sustainable Operational Excellence through safe, compliant, and performance-driven operations, reinforced by a strong culture of accountability and ...

Koch Industries

Operations Excellence Lead

Atlanta, GA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Your Job Georgia-Pacific is seeking an Operations Excellence Lead to help improve how large, multi ... Experience influencing, coordinating, or leading cross-functional work across teams without direct ...

RXinsider LTD.

Director, Operations

Cherry Hill, NJ · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

Director, Operations Location: Cherry Hill NJ Job Type :Fulltime Job Id: 1219 Job Summary Director ... excellence. * Ensure effective Operations and Quality controls are in place to meet sterile ...

Genmab

Director, Operational Excellence

Plainsboro, NJ

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role The Director, Operational Excellence is responsible for shaping and advancing the ... Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations Management, or a related ...

Genmab A/S

Director, Operational Excellence

Princeton, NJ · On-site

$193.28 - $289.92/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role The Director, Operational Excellence is responsible for shaping and advancing the ... Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations Management, or a related ...

Americold

Operations Excellence Manager

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$76K - $103K/yr

Provide training to operations teams on labor management, inventory control, process improvement ... Must be self-motivated and self-directing. Knowledge of distribution center/logistics concepts ...

Aligned Data Centers, LLC

Director, Operations

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Director, Operations - Chandler, AZ**Does the thought of joining one of the fastest-growing ... excellence. We are a company dedicated to driving positive change in the industry through ...

Watlow

Director, Operations

Columbia, MO · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

At Watlow's Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri , we combine precision ... Director, Operations Columbia, Missouri (On-Site) Watlow is seeking a Director of Operations to ...

Americold

Operations Excellence Manager

Sioux City, IA · On-site

Provide training to operations teams on labor management, inventory control, process improvement ... Must be self-motivated and self-directing. Knowledge of distribution center/logistics concepts ...

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Director Operations Excellence information

See salary details

$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do director operations excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for director operations 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 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.

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 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.

More about Director Operations Excellence jobs

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Cities with the most Director Operations Excellence job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Excellence jobs?

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Director Operations Excellence jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Operations Excellence job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Director, Operations

watlow

Columbia, MO

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Watlow rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

58th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

At Watlow’s Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri, we combine precision manufacturing with forward-thinking innovation. Part of a global thermal solutions leader founded in 1922, our Columbia facility is a critical hub for high-performance manufacturing, engineering, and operational excellence.

#PoweredByPossibility

We are hiring a: Director, Operations

Columbia, Missouri (On-Site)

Watlow is seeking a Director of Operations to lead our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, you will provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership across production, quality, safety, supply chain, and engineering to deliver world-class products and drive operational excellence. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, you will partner closely with Business Units, New Product Development, and executive leadership to align operational capabilities with business objectives.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced operations leader who thrives in complex, high-tech manufacturing environments, is passionate about Lean transformation, and has the vision to build and develop high-performing teams. If you are a hands-on leader who drives accountability and continuous improvement from the shop floor to the executive table, we would love to connect with you.

What You’ll Do:

  • Manufacturing Leadership: Lead all manufacturing operations to consistently achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives across the Columbia facility.
  • Team Development: Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.
  • Lean Transformation: Drive the application of Lean principles to streamline processes, improve throughput, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness — embedding behaviors, not just tools.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Business Units and New Product Development to ensure seamless integration of new products into production, aligning operational capabilities with innovation priorities.
  • Performance Management: Establish and monitor KPIs to track performance, productivity, and Lean progress, using data to drive informed decisions and continuous improvement.
  • Compliance & Quality: Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and industry standards, and champion quality through robust control measures and a culture of excellence.
  • Financial Stewardship: Manage budgets, resources, and capital investments with a focus on efficiency and return, identifying and pursuing cost-reduction opportunities across products, processes, and projects.
  • Technology & Innovation: Evaluate and introduce new technologies, systems, and methods to strengthen production capabilities and competitive positioning.
  • Engagement & Culture: Lead site-level engagement initiatives that align with Watlow’s purpose, vision, and strategy, promoting collaboration, trust, and open communication across leadership, teams, and stakeholders.
  • Watlow Business System: Represent the site within the Watlow Business System (WBS) framework, ensuring consistent adoption of best practices across the organization.

What you’ll need to succeed?

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business
  • 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations, with direct oversight of production, supply chain, engineering, and quality
  • Demonstrated success implementing Lean principles at scale with hands-on transformation experience, not just knowledge
  • Semiconductor industry or similarly complex, high-precision manufacturing environment experience
  • Proven project management track record delivering on-time, on-budget initiatives
  • Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI/NPD) in a manufacturing setting
  • Strong analytical and communication skills, with a data-driven approach to performance management and decision-making
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (<10%)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree (MS or MBA) in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management
  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Master Black Belt)
  • Change management experience leading cultural transformations in complex organizations
  • Background aligning and collaborating with front-end design and development functions (BU, Sales, Engineering) to ensure linkage to the manufacturing setting
  • Experience scaling operations in high-growth or innovation-driven industries

What Watlow employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Watlow

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1922

Social media

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