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Operational Excellence Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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How much do operational excellence jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for operational excellence in Raleigh, NC is $20.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an operational excellence professional do?

An Operational Excellence job focuses on improving business processes, efficiency, and overall performance by implementing best practices, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma. Professionals in this role work to optimize workflows, reduce waste, and enhance productivity across various departments. They collaborate with leadership teams to drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for operational excellence?

To thrive in Operational Excellence, you need a solid understanding of process improvement methodologies (like Lean or Six Sigma), data analysis, and change management, often backed by relevant certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt. Familiarity with analytical and process mapping tools like Microsoft Visio, Minitab, and ERP systems is highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities are vital for driving cross-functional initiatives and engaging teams. These skills are crucial for identifying inefficiencies, implementing sustainable improvements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within an organization.

What types of projects or initiatives does someone in operational excellence typically lead or participate in?

Professionals in Operational Excellence are often involved in projects that focus on streamlining business processes, reducing waste, and increasing quality and efficiency across departments. Typical initiatives might include leading value stream mapping sessions, conducting root cause analyses, facilitating Kaizen events, and implementing new best practices or technologies to optimize workflow. These roles frequently require cross-functional collaboration with teams in production, quality, supply chain, finance, and IT to drive impactful change. Depending on the organization, you may also be responsible for training teams on process improvement methodologies and tracking the measurable results of these efforts.

What is an operational excellence role?

An operational excellence role involves improving business processes, increasing efficiency, and reducing waste within an organization. Professionals in this role often utilize methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen and may hold certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

What skills are needed for operational excellence?

Operational excellence professionals need strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of process improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen. Effective communication, teamwork, and project management skills are also essential to implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operational Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Operational Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What job categories do people searching Operational Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Operational Excellence jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Operational Excellence jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Operational Excellence job openings:

Infographic showing various Operational Excellence job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,068 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Associate Director, Operational Excellence #4890

GRAIL

Durham, NC

$146K - $194K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.
 
We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine's greatest challenges.
 
GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.
 
For more information, please visit grail.com

The Associate Director, Operational Excellence is central to driving continuous improvement, operational rigor, and data-informed decision-making across laboratory and operational workflows.  The ideal candidate combines deep analytical capability with proven experience in Lean methodologies and cross-functional leadership.  They will play a critical role in transforming operational data into actionable insights, enabling scalable, high-quality execution in a regulated environment.

This role works on-site full-time at our office located in Durham, NC

Responsibilities:
  • Operational Data & Insights
    • Design, develop, and maintain operational dashboards and data visualizations to provide real-time visibility into performance
    • Generate and distribute KPI reports, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with organizational goals
    • Partner with stakeholders to define meaningful metrics and continuously improve reporting frameworks
  • Data Exploration & Process Monitoring
    • Conduct deep data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and leading indicators related to Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Quality Control (QC)
    • Establish and refine control limits, early warning systems, and predictive indicators to proactively manage operational risk
    • Translate complex data findings into clear, actionable recommendations
  • Continuous Improvement Leadership
    • Lead and scale Lean initiatives, including 5S, Six Sigma, and Kaizen programs, across operational teams
    • Drive a culture of continuous improvement through structured problem-solving and iterative refinement of processes
    • Measure and track the impact of improvement initiatives, ensuring sustained gains
  • Issue Management & Prioritization
    • Develop and maintain a centralized system for capturing operational issues, risks, and improvement opportunities
    • Synthesize inputs across teams into a structured backlog of initiatives
    • Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Engineering, Software, Lab) to prioritize and align on improvement efforts
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Act as a key liaison between Operations and non-Operations teams to drive execution of improvement initiatives
    • Ensure alignment on priorities, timelines, and expected outcomes
    • Influence without authority to remove barriers and accelerate progress
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations, Data Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
  • 12+ years of experience in operational excellence, process improvement, or analytics, ideally in biotech, diagnostics, or regulated environments
  • Demonstrated expertise in Lean, Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred), and Kaizen methodologies
  • Strong experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) and data analysis (SQL, Python, R, or similar)
  • Proven ability to work with SPC/QC frameworks and operational performance metrics
  • Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills
  • Experience in NGS, clinical laboratory operations, or diagnostics workflows
  • Familiarity with regulated environments (CLIA, CAP, FDA) preferred
Physical Demands and Work Environment
  • Work performed across office, production, and executive settings.
  • Exposure to manufacturing environments, including noise, chemicals, and production equipment.
  • Extended or flexible hours may be required to meet organizational goals.
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, required in designated areas.
The expected, full-time, annual base pay scale for this position is $146K - $194K.  Actual base pay will consider skills, experience, and location.

This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate's qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL's comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.

GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.

GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!

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