Operational Excellence Specialist
The Operational Excellence Specialist at Confidential Client is an entry-level role focused on leading standardization of management processes and facilitating process improvement projects within the manufacturing plant. This position involves working closely with employees across shifts to enhance productivity, throughput, and quality using Lean Six Sigma methodologies, while supporting training and adoption of best practices. It offers a development path toward leadership roles through hands-on operational involvement and continuous learning.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This Operational Excellence Specialist role in Saratoga Springs, NY is an entry-level, hands-on position focused on standardizing plant management systems and driving process improvement projects. You will learn the manufacturing process, coach teams across shifts, and support projects that increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve quality.
- Lead and facilitate standardization of the plant management system; train and support employees at all levels to implement and sustain standards
- Facilitate and lead improvement teams, kaizen events, and project-based initiatives tied to plant priorities
- Participate in daily problem solving and act as a team resource for root-cause analysis
- Analyze processes and performance metrics; prepare reports to support internal and external stakeholders
- Learn and apply Lean tools and continuous improvement methods (DMAIC, PDCA, FMEA, kaizen)
- Collaborate with training teams to document and deliver standardized work, SOPs, and sustainment plans
- Present, train, and facilitate at multiple levels, and support adoption of best practices across functions
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the plant-level resource to drive implementation and sustainment of the management system
- Plan, run, and document process improvement projects that deliver measurable productivity, quality, or throughput gains
- Support daily problem-solving routines and cross-functional improvement teams
- Build and maintain performance tracking, KPI reporting, and process documentation
- Coach operators and supervisors on standardized work and continuous improvement methods
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Supply Chain or related field preferred (or equivalent work experience)
- Process improvement, project management, or manufacturing experience preferred
- Strong facilitation, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills
- Ability to influence without direct authority and build collaborative relationships
- Comfortable working in ambiguous situations and willing to challenge the status quo
- Proficient with MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- Able to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Compensation & Benefits
- Expected Hiring Salary Range: $66,700 - $93,160 (salary determined by education, experience, skills, and market alignment)
- This role is eligible to participate in the annual incentive compensation plan
- Competitive benefits package offered by our confidential client (medical, retirement, paid time off, and other offerings)
- This is an on-site role; travel or local commute between client locations may be required
Location & Work Type
- Work location: Saratoga Springs, NY (onsite)
- Employment type: Full-time, entry-level development assignment (approx. 2-year development rotation)
- Successful candidates may have growth opportunities into supervisory and other leadership roles after the development period
Additional Details & Compliance
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. This role does not provide visa sponsorship now or in the future.
- Under Colorado, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania law, you may redact age-related details (such as date of birth, school attendance dates, graduation dates) from application materials.
- This position will be posted internally for a minimum of 5 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on application volume.
- No agencies please.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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