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Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing Jobs

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Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing information

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$38.5K

$143.6K

$200K

How much do sr director operational excellence manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr director operational excellence manufacturing in the United States is $143,606.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,500.00 and $166,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing?

A Sr Director of Operational Excellence in Manufacturing is a senior executive responsible for leading and implementing strategies to optimize manufacturing processes, improve productivity, and ensure quality across all operations. They oversee process improvement initiatives, drive organizational change, and work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve operational goals. Their main focus is on fostering a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency to help the company remain competitive in the market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Director of Operational Excellence in Manufacturing?

To thrive as a Sr Director of Operational Excellence in Manufacturing, you need deep expertise in process improvement methodologies (such as Lean, Six Sigma), strategic leadership, and a strong background in manufacturing operationsβ€”usually supported by an engineering or business degree and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with ERP systems, data analytics tools, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are commonly required. Outstanding communication, change management, and stakeholder engagement skills help drive cross-functional initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. These skills and qualifications are vital for optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring sustainable operational success in a competitive manufacturing environment.

What are some of the common challenges faced by a Sr Director of Operational Excellence in Manufacturing, and how can they be addressed?

A Sr Director of Operational Excellence in Manufacturing typically faces challenges such as driving large-scale change across multiple sites, aligning cross-functional teams on continuous improvement initiatives, and sustaining long-term process improvements. Successfully addressing these challenges involves strong leadership, effective communication, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. Leveraging data-driven decision making and implementing Lean or Six Sigma methodologies can also help overcome resistance to change and ensure consistent operational improvements across the organization.

What is the difference between Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing vs Manufacturing Director?

AspectSr Director Operational Excellence ManufacturingManufacturing Director
Primary FocusOperational excellence, process improvement, lean manufacturingOverall manufacturing operations, production management
ResponsibilitiesImplementing continuous improvement initiatives, reducing waste, enhancing efficiencyManaging daily production, overseeing manufacturing teams, meeting output targets
CredentialsLean Six Sigma, engineering or operations background, leadership experienceEngineering or manufacturing management experience, leadership skills
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaboration, process optimizationFactory floor management, production oversight, team supervision

The Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing primarily focuses on driving process improvements and operational efficiency across manufacturing facilities, often working on strategic initiatives. In contrast, the Manufacturing Director oversees daily production activities and manages manufacturing teams. Both roles require leadership and industry experience, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing jobs?

For Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Sr Director Operational Excellence Manufacturing job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,606 per year, or $69 per hour.

Consultant, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing

Willowbrook, IL

Integrated Project Management Company
201 - 500 employees

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

For more than three decades, premier organizations have trusted IPM to help ensure the successful execution of their strategic portfolios and critically important initiatives. With 90 percent repeat business and a Net Promoter Score in the world-class category, IPM has a reputation that is second to none.           
IPM is also a certified β€œGreat Place to Work" company and has been named to the Great Place to Work list of "Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services".           
Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Boston, Parsippany, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Los Angeles and San Francisco, IPM has led more than 5,000 projects for over 500 clients in the United States and across continents. Our clientele ranges from Fortune 100 companies to startups.     
       
Our Consultants are full-time employees. They are our most important asset and the competitive advantage that sets us apart from the rest.             
  
Within Operational Excellence, IPM partners with clients across a variety of manufacturing industries.  At each new engagement, you’ll leverage the continual exposure and experiences from working in a variety of clients and project types.  You’ll collaborate with highly talented IPM colleagues who will share their skills and experiences with you.  You’ll need to solve complex problems, as our clients don’t come to us when their business is running smoothly and their challenges are simple.  Our clients’ issues include:           
  • Manufacturing Improvements – (enterprise & local transformations, cost reductions, OEE improvements, targeted assessments such as capacity analysis or operational diligence)
  • Supply Chain Optimization – (planning and production scheduling, sales, inventory & operations management (SIOP), network redesign, service level (OTIF) improvements)
  • Capital Expansion – capacity or technology improvements (vertical start-Up, operational readiness, consolidation, relocation)
In these areas it is important that you can demonstrate the ability to identify and test hypotheses, contribute ideas and insights, as well as deliver immediate and tangible improvements in business performance. Our consultants have a reputation for partnering with our clients and their teams to deliver real changes, as well as lasting benefits while exceeding expectations.          
JOB DESCRIPTION       
In this role your focus will be:           
  • Development, management, and leadership of improvement strategies and initiatives
  • Performance of assessments utilizing analytical skills to identify root causes of problems and associated financial opportunities that lead to implementation roadmaps
  • Collection and analysis of data as well as the gathering and documentation of client requirements (product workflows, OEE waterfalls), collaborating with the client team to define solutions
  • Management of projects within established scope, schedule, and budget while meeting and exceeding IPM project management standards
  • Establishment and leadership of high-performance project teams, serving as the project advocate within the client organization. Lead, coordinate, facilitate, and motivate all associated project resources to gain alignment on project goals and deliverables
  • Creation and presentation of both executive-level and detailed updates throughout an engagement and within a final project readout deck
  • Development and documentation of high-level strategies for achieving specific objectives or activities (hierarchical strategy, process flow, Final Project Summary, etc.).
  • Applying consultative skills to identify and prioritize opportunities based on best practices to address client-specific needs, leveraging IPM’s professional assessment
  • Daily project leadership with production, quality, maintenance, safety, supply chain, sanitation, and other key stakeholders.
  • Professional communication with a broad spectrum of audiences from line operators to senior level executives.
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE       
The successful candidate for this position should have the following skills and experience:           
  • A Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering discipline, with a preference for industrial engineering, operations management, supply chain management or analytics
  • 5-10 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years working on the production floor as well as at least 2 of those years with a proven track record of delivering successful projects in manufacturing
  • Be well versed in operational excellence methodologies, be passionate about clients, and dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions (Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and APICS certifications are a plus)
  • Have demonstrated flexibility and the willingness to tailor your approach specifically based on IPM’s methodologies and clients’ needs
  • Be comfortable functioning as either an individual consultant or in a team-based role on a broader engagement, with a focus on delivery and implementation. 
  • Have the ability to lead multiple activities and resources while maintaining a focus on quality (Project Management certification is a plus)
  • Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills to effectively communicate and build relationships with a broad spectrum of audiences at all organizational levels.  Translating technical concepts into broadly understood terms is an essential skill.
If you think you can work with high caliber colleagues on complex and high-profile projects, we'd like to hear from you. In return we'll provide you the opportunities, support, and training to develop your career to the fullest of your capabilities; it's not just what you've done that's interesting to us – it's what you are capable of achieving.           
          
Why IPM          
  • Diverse projects:  we take on a wide variety of project work, ensuring significant exposure to many clients and a broad range of opportunities to grow your professional experience​
  • Collaborative work environment:  we have a well-structured system to bring support from managers, internal teams, and our Centers of Excellence (CoE), which serve as a resource for specific service and industry knowledge, tools, and best practices​
  • Family with engaging culture:  we believe in protecting our greatest asset, our people, with a culture that nurtures a caring environment with a transparent communication approach, culture-building and team-building events, both regional and companywide β€‹
  • Professional development:  we care about your training and development.  You’ll get a thorough onboarding to ensure you’re prepared, and we’ll create the bandwidth you need to further your career at IPM.  You are IPM’s future; we only promote from within