Operational Excellence Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 2, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 29, 2026. Zoetis scores A on the Alion truth index.
Role Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Operational Excellence (OpEx) Leader is a key individual contributor within the Kalamazoo Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence organization. The principal purpose of the role is to identify, initiate, and complete projects that drive business results. This involves strengthening the culture of continuous improvement and leading cross-functional teams through the rigorous application of Lean & Six Sigma methodologies to achieve measurable outcomes. This role supports the entire Kalamazoo site, partnering across all functions including Manufacturing, Quality, Laboratories, Warehouse, Supply Chain, and Finance to drive efficiency and eliminate waste. This position reports to the Senior Manager - Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct process evaluations and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
- Develop and manage Lean initiatives to improve system performance and efficiency.
- Monitor the effectiveness of implemented Lean processes and make necessary adjustments.
- Create and present reports on Lean initiatives and their impact to senior management.
- Achieve aggressive operational targets with delivery of significant financial benefit.
- Serve as a recognized expert to facilitate highly complex problem solving, value stream mapping and special data analysis as required.
- Network both internally and externally to exchange learning’s and ensure best practices are adopted throughout the operations.
- Coach and train site colleagues on Lean methodology.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
- Minimum 5-10 years progressive work experience or equivalent in a business environment preferably manufacturing technical/engineering or supply chain management.
- Strong understanding of Lean methodologies and principles.
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM field.
- Demonstrated training and facilitation experience preferred.
- Experience in data analysis and visualization preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- The work environment includes both office and manufacturing settings.
- Approximately 75% office-based and 25% walking/standing in manufacturing areas.
- May require use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing as per GMP standards.
- Potential for limited domestic and/or international travel up to 5%.
- Colleague will work in a facility that manufactures Cephalosporins and must not be Cephalosporin sensitive.
Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.
Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.
Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.
Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [email protected] to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of “@zoetis.com”. In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.