Vice President, Operational Excellence

Role Overview

The Vice President of Operational Excellence is a senior executive position focused on elevating enterprise performance across efficiency, productivity, quality, cost control, process consistency, and overall organizational results. The role leads large-scale improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, automation, and digital transformation approaches.

This leader partners closely with executive management, operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, finance, and technology teams to strengthen business scalability, improve operating performance, and support long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and roll out company-wide operational excellence strategies.
• Set performance standards, KPIs, and operating benchmarks for the organization.
• Drive transformation initiatives and ongoing improvement programs across the enterprise.
• Build a strong culture centered on accountability, innovation, and disciplined execution.
• Ensure operational excellence efforts are aligned with business goals.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM, and related improvement programs.
• Spot inefficiencies, waste, bottlenecks, and opportunities to improve processes.
• Increase productivity, reduce cycle times, raise quality, and improve customer satisfaction.
• Standardize business processes and best practices across sites and departments.
• Use value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to solve problems.
• Track enterprise KPIs and operational performance indicators.
• Analyze operational data to guide strategic decisions and improvement priorities.
• Improve OEE, service efficiency, and operational reliability.
• Support productivity and profitability initiatives at an enterprise level.
• Develop dashboards and executive-level reporting tools.
• Support adoption of Industry 4.0 tools such as automation, robotics, AI, IoT, and advanced analytics.
• Lead modernization programs and smart operations initiatives.
• Strengthen digital workflows and process automation capabilities.
• Work with IT and engineering teams on technology-enabled improvements.
• Assess new technologies and emerging operational trends.
• Lead cost-reduction and efficiency programs.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and planning for operational investments.
• Prepare ROI analyses and business cases for improvement projects.
• Improve labor efficiency, asset use, and profitability.
• Optimize resource allocation and overall operational spending.
• Lead directors, operational excellence managers, Lean leaders, and continuous improvement teams.
• Coach and mentor operational leaders and future executives.
• Build high-performing improvement cultures across the organization.
• Support workforce training and Lean/Six Sigma development programs.
• Encourage collaboration across departments and regions.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory standards, and governance requirements.
• Partner with quality, EHS, and compliance teams on risk-reduction efforts.
• Support quality assurance and operational audit programs.
• Improve reliability and business continuity capabilities.
• Promote safe and compliant workplace practices.
• Work with executive leadership on long-term strategy and enterprise scalability.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and operational integration work.
• Benchmark industry best practices and performance standards.
• Participate in executive strategy discussions and board-level operational reviews.
• Support sustainability and ESG-related operational initiatives.

Qualifications

This role is intended for a highly experienced operations executive with deep expertise in enterprise transformation and continuous improvement. The position typically requires 15–20+ years in operational leadership roles.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline is required.
• An MBA or an advanced technical degree is preferred.

Experience

• 15–20+ years of experience in operational leadership or continuous improvement.
• Strong background in executive-level operational excellence and enterprise transformation.
• Experience running Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or enterprise optimization programs.
• Multi-site or global operations leadership experience is preferred.

Preferred Skills and Certifications

• Executive leadership in operational excellence
• Lean Six Sigma expertise
• Strategic operations planning
• Enterprise transformation and process improvement
• Financial and performance analysis
• Digital transformation and automation understanding
• Leadership development and organizational management
• Strong executive communication and decision-making
• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
• ASQ certifications
• PMP certification
• Change management certification
• APICS or supply chain certification

Work Environment

The role is based in an executive corporate office setting with regular interaction across operating facilities and regional business units. Domestic and international travel may be required. It is a fast-moving senior leadership environment with responsibility across the enterprise.

Compensation

In the United States, this position typically pays between $230,000 and $500,000+ per year. Total compensation may also include executive bonuses, stock options or equity, long-term incentive plans, profit sharing, and executive benefits.

Common Alternative Titles

• VP of Operational Excellence
• Vice President, Continuous Improvement
• VP of Business Excellence
• Vice President, Enterprise Operations
• VP of Process Improvement
• Head of Operational Excellence
• Executive Director of Operational Excellence

Typical Employers

• Manufacturing companies
• Healthcare organizations
• Energy and utility companies
• Logistics and supply chain businesses
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Aerospace and defense companies
• Technology enterprises
• Consumer goods companies
• Financial services firms
• Global industrial organizations