If you are a Manufacturing professional with a passion for implementing operational excellence initiatives, Emerson has an exciting opportunity for you located in Aiken, SC!

Our Discrete Automation business is driving innovative floor to cloud solutions that make the world safer, smarter and more sustainable. With a strong focus on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, we are seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to join our team as the Director of Operational Excellence.

In this critical role, you will be a key leader responsible for driving operational efficiency, continuous improvement, and overall excellence across our organization. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify, prioritize, and implement initiatives that enhance our operational processes and elevate performance.

Join us!

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will:

• Implement Express Offer & Preferred Parts management at all Emerson Americas sites. Coordinate sales, marketing, customer service, operations, and procurement to establish a mature process for Ship from Stock & Assemble-to-Order Products.
• Implement the Operational Excellence “Playbook” and drive adoption of the key programs at all Emerson Americas sites. Identify demand planning, S& OP, forecasting, production planning, materials planning, inventory management, and customer service improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate value chain projects by working with teams to identify, prioritize, and resource projects. Review product family trends, manage mix, and provide support to the site planning managers to establish root cause analysis for inventory or service issues. Study and recommend subsidiary inter-dependency improvements.
• Continuously improve Operational Excellence process, tools, and techniques. Apply 6 Sigma, Lean and project management tools. Identify, document, and leverage standard methodologies across all Discrete sites around the globe to assist Americas.
• Drive cultural change to customer-centric operational excellence across Discrete Americas sites. Engage all functional areas within Emerson to share Operational Excellence concepts, benefits, and strategies. Leverage Emerson resources to train teams on Operational Excellence.
• Establish common metrics, data definitions and business processes to support service level, inventory, and demand/forecast improvements.
• Continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness; ensure the right people in the right place with adequate support, implementing the annual plan of Department to deliver results in accordance with the adopted budget assumptions.
• Rapidly implement a Discrete Automation Production System which includes the following:
  • Visual factory- Pacing the value object against TAKT
  • Creating Leader Standard work to respond to abnormalities.
  • Structured problem-solving training and application across the sites
  • Value Stream Analysis to identify waste opportunities and projects to remove waste
  • Gemba walks to “Go See Go Learn Go Solve”
  • Coach to maintain Emerson’s 5S/Visual Plant Standards
• Lead teams through Strategy Deployment (Hoshin Kanri)
• Lead large cross functional teams through Kaizen/Kaikaku
• Coach leadership in plants to Emerson’s Operational Excellence standards
• Ability to drive rapid change on targeted value streams
• Expert in core OPEX tools, VSA, Line balancing, Heijunka, Jidoka, 3P
• Ability to develop standard work, leader standard work
• Ability to create tiered Gemba process
• Develop process at a glance visualization in factories

Who You Are:

You focus efforts on continuous improvement; interested in identifying and seizing opportunities for alignment and integration. You formulate a clear strategy and map bold steps that will accelerate the organization toward its goals. You facilitate an open dialogue with a wide variety of contributors and collaborators. You articulate a compelling, inspired, and relatable vision and communicate the vision with a sense of purpose about the future.

For This Role, You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, or a related field
• 10+ years of proven experience in a related role, with some combination of experience in key functional roles, such as: supply chain, operations, engineering, product planning, or demand management, with success in implementing operational excellent initiatives
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision-making
• Excellent leadership and team management capabilities
• Demonstrated experience in change management and process optimization
• Accurate and detailed writing skills for reporting, business correspondence and procedure writing
• Effective presentation skills to both present and respond to groups of managers, clients, visitors, and the general public
• Results orientation, to lead teams and influence across all organizational levels
• Excellent communication skills in a multi-language and multi-culture environment
• Willingness to travel 30-50%
• Legal authorization to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications that Set You Apart:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish: Proficient in both written and spoken English and Spanish
• Masters degree or equivalent advanced degree
• Certifications in Six Sigma, Lean, or related areas are advantageous

Our Culture & Commitment to You: ​

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results. ​

We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing. We prioritize providing flexible, competitive benefits plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave.​

Learn more about our Culture & Values. ​

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