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Manufacturing Excellence Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manufacturing Excellence Specialist will be responsible for driving operational excellence. Continuous improvement efforts will focus on making sustainable gains in reliability, quality, safety, cost ...

Manufacturing Excellence Engineer

Kinston, NC · Hybrid

$66K - $85K/yr

We are seeking a Manufacturing Excellence Engineer to join our team as an embedded consultant within our aerospace clients' operations. In this role, you will act as an on-site expert, driving ...

Manufacturing Excellence Engineer

Kinston, NC · Hybrid

$66K - $85K/yr

We are seeking a Manufacturing Excellence Engineer to join our team as an embedded consultant within our aerospace clients' operations. In this role, you will act as an on-site expert, driving ...

Manufacturing Excellence Engineer

Kinston, NC · On-site

$66K - $85K/yr

We are seeking a Manufacturing Excellence Engineer to join our team as an embedded consultant within our aerospace clients' operations. In this role, you will act as an on-site expert, driving ...

Manufacturing Excellence Program

Roseau, MN · On-site

$20.71 - $24.45/hr

Manufacturing Excellence Program The Manufacturing Excellence Program (MEP) is designed to provide high school graduates with the opportunity to intern with Polaris while earning college credits at ...

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Manufacturing Excellence information

See salary details

$30.5K

$97.6K

$153.5K

How much do manufacturing excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for manufacturing excellence in the United States is $97,556.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $120,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced in a Manufacturing Excellence role?

Professionals in Manufacturing Excellence frequently encounter challenges such as overcoming resistance to change, standardizing processes across different teams or sites, and maintaining momentum in continuous improvement initiatives. They often need to balance the demands of production schedules with the implementation of new efficiency measures, while ensuring that quality standards are not compromised. Success in this role requires strong collaboration with cross-functional teams, proactive communication, and the ability to motivate employees at all levels. Facing and overcoming these challenges helps drive sustained operational improvements and cultivates innovation throughout the manufacturing process.

What is a Manufacturing Excellence job?

A Manufacturing Excellence job focuses on improving production efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in a manufacturing environment. Professionals in this role implement lean principles, process optimizations, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall operational performance. They work closely with cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve workflow. This role often requires expertise in Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other improvement methodologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Manufacturing Excellence position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Manufacturing Excellence, you should have a strong background in lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, and data analytics, typically supported by an engineering or technical degree. Familiarity with Six Sigma, Kaizen, ERP systems, and industry-specific certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt is highly valuable. Outstanding problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication skills set top performers apart. These competencies are crucial for driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of excellence in manufacturing organizations.

What is the role of manufacturing excellence?

Manufacturing excellence involves implementing best practices, process improvements, and quality standards to optimize production efficiency and product quality. Professionals in this field often utilize tools like Lean, Six Sigma, and data analysis to reduce waste and enhance operational performance.
What cities are hiring for Manufacturing Excellence jobs? Cities with the most 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 Manufacturing Excellence jobs? States with the most job openings for Manufacturing Excellence jobs include:
Infographic showing various Manufacturing Excellence job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $97,556 per year, or $46.9 per hour.
Power Manufacturing Excellence Leader

Power Manufacturing Excellence Leader

International Paper

Vicksburg, MS

$101K - $134K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


International Paper rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 283 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

300th of 515 rated manufacturers


Job description

Position Title: 

Power Manufacturing Excellence Leader

Pay Rate:

$101,000-134,600

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP's short -term incentive plan.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Exempt Full-Time

Physical Location
3737 Highway 3

Redwood, MS 39156

The Job You Will Perform: 

The Area Manufacturing Excellence Leader (AMEL) is a senior process engineer that reports directly to the Mill Manufacturing Excellence Leader (MME), and will be assigned to the Power Area at the Vicksburg Mill. The ME Leader is directly responsible for the Manufacturing Excellence process, which includes year-over-year (YOY) continuous improvement in the areas of safety, quality, productivity, reliability and cost reduction. They are a dedicated resource for improvement projects in their assigned operating area or mill wide, as necessary. The expectation is that a minimum of 75% of the ME Leader's time will involve activities related to Cost Reduction and Deliberate Improvement. The ME Leader must ensure close coordination with resources at all levels of the organization, including Business Unit Managers, Area Managers, and the "improve" resources, to ensure the department's improvement plan is coordinated and cohesive.

The AMEL is responsible for developing future leaders. They will have a varying number of REACH and Process Engineers reporting to them. The development process will include training, coaching and mentoring the engineers in mill operations and International Paper manufacturing excellence processes.

Key Accountabilities:

The Manufacturing Excellence Leader is responsible for:

  • Engage team in safety leadership efforts and encourage/support safe work practices in mill
  • Ensure ME principles are properly utilized in daily operations for continuous improvement
  • Lead Cost Reduction/Deliberate Improvement project identification and execution in Business Unit
  • Support identification and validation of R-Gap and A-Gap opportunities in Business Unit
  • Assist MME and BUM in developing department's annual and long term gap closure plan for identified opportunities and incorporating in the Budget + 3
  • Drive mill initiatives in the department to engage employees in improvement/sustain activities
  • Lead/provide ME support to project teams on budget initiatives (deliberate and continuous)
  • Coordinates the identification, developmental, and successful implementation by results tracking of cost reduction opportunities, both capital and non-capital
  • Support/Mentor GB, YB and WB trainees during certification
  • Support RCFA champion for Power Area
  • Advocate for sustainable improvement practices and systems
  • Mentor and advocate to support department's 5S effort
  • Develop REACH engineers as future operations and maintenance leaders.

The Skills You Will Bring:

  • It is required that the Manufacturing Excellence Leader role be filled by an individual with a strong manufacturing management background and a track record of achieving consistent, significant results through systems and teams.

  • B.S. in Engineering, Business, related degree or experience
  • Manufacturing management experience (First Line Leader, Operations Maintenance Coordinator or Area Manager) is highly preferred
  • Experience with continuous improvement concepts and tools is required
  • Candidate will be expected to become IP Green Belt certified if not already
  • Possess good written and oral communication skills
  • Possess strong computer knowledge and skills that include experience with spreadsheets, word processing, and Minitab (and/or other statistical analysis software)
  • Key Competencies: Managerial Courage, Perspective, Motivating Others, Customer Focus, Learning on the Fly, Organizational Agility, Interpersonal Savvy, Developing Others, Building Effective Teams, Process Management, Organizing, Planning, Managing and Measuring Work, Presentation Skills, and Conflict Management.

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About International Paper

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

International Paper is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion.

Industry

Paper manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Memphis, TN, US

Year founded

1898