Manager Operational Excellence Jobs in Minnesota

At Pentair, you will work alongside passionate problem-solvers who are committed to the future of our planet. We put our mission into practice, helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life's most essential resource. From our residential water filtration to industrial water management to pool products and more, our 9,000 global employees serve customers in more than 150 countries, working to help create a better world for people and the planet through smart, sustainable water solutions.

We have an opportunity for an Operations Senior Manager to join our New Brighton, MN team. You will build talent, address key operational performance challenges, and implement sustainable standard practices through the Lean fundamentals Management Systems. Expected results will be sustainable improvements in safety, productivity, quality, on-time deliveries, and inventory turns for the location. This is an operational leadership role reporting into the General Manager of the Spray and Specialty category.

You will:

• Lead safety awareness and implement new and innovative techniques to assure a safe working environment.
• Maintain a strong and visible presence throughout the operation, building trusted relationships with employees at all levels while engaging directly with teams to understand challenges firsthand, reinforce standards, remove barriers, and drive sustainable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Set clear expectations, measure performance, and coach leaders to deliver results while strengthening team capability and accountability.
• Develop a high-performing team that strengthens operational capability, improves service to customers, and creates future leadership depth.
• Lead the manufacturing plant with over one hundred employees producing products through injection molding, complex assembly while leveraging strong quality and Lean manufacturing experience.
• Lead warehouse and shipping teams responsible for inbound component flow, outbound customer shipments, and international shipping operations.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful, and highly engaged workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to continuous improvement.
• Deliver sustainable year-over-year financial improvement through operational excellence, disciplined resource management, continuous improvement, and clear ownership of site P&L results.
• Translate enterprise priorities into clear site objectives, ensuring teams remain focused on value-added activities, customer outcomes, and the metrics that matter most.
• Serve as a critical business leadership representative in customer relationships and escalations to communicate clearly with key customers.
• Lead the deployment of Lean Management Systems that create sustainable operational excellence through daily accountability, visual management, structured problem solving, standard work, and continuous improvement.
• Establish a leadership climate that fosters collaboration across the enterprise.
• Direct and manage the establishment and maintenance of material replenishment methods, quality standards, and performance metrics in support of the organizational goals and objectives.
• Coach, mentor, and develop managers and supervisors to build trust, accountability, succession depth, and leadership capability across the organization.
• Build a culture of operational excellence through visible leadership, disciplined daily management, hands-on problem solving, standard work, and continuous improvement.

Key Qualifications:

• BA or BS in Operations Management, Supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field. Masters strongly preferred.
• 10 years of Manufacturing experience with 5+ years in a successful Operations Leadership Role or equivalent.
• 5 - 10 years of P&L responsibilities.
• Competency in analytical problem solving, customer/partner relationships, product & technology expertise, and strategic insight.
• Understanding of program/project management fundamentals.
• Demonstrated understanding of Lean Manufacturing concepts.
• Experience working with ERP systems is highly preferred.
• Occasional domestic travel may be required (10%).

Compensation:

For this full-time position working at this location, the anticipated annualized base pay range will be from $128500 - $238600 / year. At Pentair, it is not typical for an individual to be hired near the bottom or top of the pay range. Pentair considers various factors in determining actual compensation for this position at the expected location. Actual compensation will be commensurate with demonstrable level of experience and training, pertinent education including licensure and certifications, work location, and other relevant business or organizational needs. This position may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as, annual incentive bonus.

Benefits:

As a Pentair employee, you would enjoy a wide array of benefit options to help keep you and your family healthy and protected, health benefits, a generous 401(k), employee stock purchase program, disability benefits, life insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, parental leave, caregiver leave, tuition reimbursement, plus paid time off and wellness programs to encourage a healthy work/life balance.

Pentair is an Equal Opportunity Employer. With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day.