Alamo Group Inc. is accepting applications to fill an Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement Manager position. Reporting to the Vice President of Operational Excellence, the Operational Excellence Manager will be responsible for supporting continuous improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness across all operational functions within the organization. This individual will lead strategic initiatives to optimize processes, improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance quality, and maximize overall operational performance to achieve the company's objectives and goals.
This role collaborates directly with Alamo Group Operating Companies, including Operations, Production, and Manufacturing Engineering Leaders to drive, support, and sustain departmental improvements and overall business unit performance.
The Operational Excellence Manager will:
Develop and promote "Best Practices" for Alamo Group companies in operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with VP of Operational Excellence to develop and implement operational excellence strategies aligned with the organization's objectives and long-term vision.
Lead efforts to identify, analyze, and improve existing manufacturing processes and workflows across all departments and functions. Implement best practices, lean methodologies, and automation solutions to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
Support key performance indicators (KPIs) and work with teams to monitor and analyze performance data to identify areas for improvement and track progress against targets.
Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs and optimize resource allocation without compromising quality or performance.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the organization. Support key leaders to adopt lean methods and drive sustainability.
Work with quality teams to identify process failures and drive improvements upstream.
Support collaboration and alignment across departments and teams to facilitate the implementation of operational excellence initiatives.
Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in operational processes and work with the VP of Operational excellence to develop strategies to minimize disruption and ensure business continuity.
Leading teams with a very hands-on approach to change management.
Additional duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate will have/be:
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices and principles or Familiar with continuous improvement methodologies in manufacturing (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) is a plus.
Ability to lead people and to successfully implement required changes through the support of proposed strategies and techniques.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Requires excellent and persistent project management follow-up skills. Must be an independent thinker with the ability to work effectively in a self-directed environment.
Ability to present ideas, plans, and progress reports individually or to a group in formal presentations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience interacting with and presenting to internal team members, and senior management.
Skilled and proficient with the use of personal computers, Microsoft Office, and mainstream office software.
Ability to proactively identify complex issues and review related information to develop, evaluate and recommend options and solutions successfully, and to communicate sound conclusions or approaches to a problem.
Ability to effectively communicate and influence sound conclusions or approaches and transfer knowledge to others.
Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through effective management of individual and team priorities and goals.
Able to build and foster effective business relationships with executives, managers, employees, vendors, and other internal and external customers.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally by commercial air carrier and automobile, including overnight stays; travel approximately 50-70%.
May need to spend extended time at specific business units to support the Operational excellence journey.
Demonstrated ability to exhibit and model Alamo Group's Leadership Core Competencies:
Leading Change / Change Management: Ability to drive improvement of team, division, and corporate goals and objectives through people. Ability to balance change and continually strive to improve business performance.
Leading People / Teamwork: Ability to design and implement strategies which maximize employees' potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the team, division, and corporate objectives.
Communication: Ability to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. The ability to develop internal and external networks and identify the issues that impact the work of the organization
Business Acumen: Understands and interprets business financials and metrics and utilizes latest business strategies. Focuses on outcomes and creates opportunities for success. Acquires and utilizes human, financial, material and information resources effectively.
Results Driven: Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through planning and the implementation and evaluation of business metrics, systems, policies, policies, and program; stressing accountability and continuous improvement.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations management, business management or related field is required.
10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and implementing continuous improvement initiatives; with at least 5 years of experience in low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing.
Experience and certification in Value Engineering, LEAN, Six Sigma, or Agile Project Management is preferred.
Working Conditions:
Work performed primarily in a plant, with frequent standing and walking for extended periods of time in and around a manufacturing plant. Occasionally sitting in an office environment. Occasional lifting of 10+ pounds independently; and stooping, reaching, and/or bending to perform duties as required.
Alamo Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability or veteran status. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing (where permitted by law).
