Manager Operational Excellence

Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and leading transformational change in a world-class manufacturing environment? Join Alaska Milk Corporation as our Manager, Operational Excellence, where you will lead Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, reduce waste, optimize processes, and deliver sustainable business results.

In this high-impact role, you will champion a culture of continuous improvement by coaching and developing teams, leading capability-building programs, and partnering with stakeholders across Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and other support functions. You will play a pivotal role in accelerating performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development while helping shape the future of our operations.

As part of the Operational Excellence (OPEX) Team at our San Pedro Plant, you will serve as a catalyst for performance transformation and organizational capability development, driving initiatives that create lasting value and support the company's long-term growth and competitiveness.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Manager of Operational Excellence to lead and inspire continuous improvement efforts at Alaska Milk Corporation's Global Supply Chain division. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a closely related field, coupled with substantial experience in driving operational excellence and Lean transformations within a manufacturing setting. Expertise in established methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and Kaizen is essential, alongside strong analytical capabilities, project management proficiency, and adeptness at stakeholder engagement across various organizational levels.

Applicants should demonstrate successful leadership in productivity enhancement, cost optimisation, and organisational capability-building initiatives. Strong communication and coaching skills, as well as experience in change management, are vital to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. A Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent) is highly advantageous and will support your effectiveness in this role.

At Alaska Milk Corporation, we believe our people are our greatest asset. Joining our team as Manager of Operational Excellence offers a unique opportunity to influence the performance and sustainability of our manufacturing operations on a global scale. We provide a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, teamwork, and professional growth are encouraged and supported.

You will have access to ongoing learning and development opportunities designed to enhance your skills and career trajectory. Our commitment to a supportive culture means you will work alongside passionate professionals who are focused on delivering operational excellence. We also offer competitive remuneration and benefits packages aligned with industry standards.

By joining us, you will directly contribute to initiatives that improve safety, quality, delivery, and overall equipment effectiveness, while championing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across multiple departments.

As the Manager Operational Excellence, you will lead the deployment and sustainability of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies throughout the plant. This strategic role involves identifying, prioritising, and executing initiatives that enhance productivity, efficiency, reduce waste, and achieve cost savings. You will drive operational excellence programmes aimed at improving safety standards, product quality, timely delivery, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), thereby ensuring that the plant operates at peak performance.

Your responsibilities will include coaching, training, and developing employees and leadership teams in continuous improvement tools, structured problem-solving techniques, and industry best practices. You will facilitate kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and cross-functional projects that promote collaboration and innovation.

Additionally, you will analyse operational performance data to uncover opportunities for improvement and rigorously track the outcomes of implemented changes. Collaboration will be key as you partner with various departments including Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and support functions to deliver sustainable business results aligned with organizational goals.

As a change agent and cultural champion within the organisation, you will promote accountability, innovation, and an ongoing commitment to excellence. Your leadership will help Alaska Milk Corporation maintain its competitive edge by continuously enhancing operational capabilities and embedding a mindset of continuous improvement at every level.

This role requires a combination of strategic vision and hands-on implementation skills, supported by your expertise in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. If you are a proactive leader who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment and is passionate about driving measurable improvements, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

For thousands of people every day, we are more than just a dairy company. To our farmers, our employees, the communities we serve, the businesses we work with and the people to whom we bring happiness, FrieslandCampina means something more. For them it's not just about what we do, but who we are. We value talented people from any background who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. We encourage all of our employees to make decisions that benefit our entire company. At FrieslandCampina we own our own career and act accordingly. We trust you to make a difference in your job and influence the bigger picture. Working at FrieslandCampina means you are contributing to a better world.