POSITION TITLE
Director of Operational Excellence
DEPARTMENT
Operations
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Operational Excellence is a strategic leader responsible for driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and scalable performance across the organization. This role establishes and leads enterprise-wide initiatives focused on process optimization, performance management, cost reduction, quality improvement, and cultural transformation. The Director partners closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to embed operational excellence principles into the company’s DNA.
This role will be located onsite in Indianapolis and will require travel from time to time as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
Develop and execute the organization’s Operational Excellence (OpEx) strategy aligned with corporate goals.Partner with COO to identify high-impact improvement opportunities.Build and sustain a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.- Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
Lead enterprise-wide initiatives utilizing methodologies such as Lean Enterprise Institute-based Lean principles, Six Sigma frameworks, and Agile methodologies.Drive process standardization, simplification, and automation across functions.Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis efforts.Implement KPI dashboards and performance tracking systems.- Operational Performance Management
Establish operational metrics and governance structures to monitor efficiency, quality, delivery, TAT, capacity , utilization and cost.Identify and mitigate operational risks and bottlenecks.Oversee continuous improvement roadmaps and project portfolios.- Change Management & Culture Development
Lead large-scale change initiatives with structured frameworks such as Prosci methodology.Train and mentor leaders in operational excellence tools and principles.Develop internal OpEx champions and certification programs.- Financial & Business Impact
Deliver measurable cost savings, productivity gains, and margin improvements.Build business cases for process investments and automation initiatives.Align operational improvements with customer experience and revenue growth objectives.- Technology & Digital Transformation
Partner with IT and Digital teams to implement process automation, analytics, and AI-driven optimization.Support ERP, CRM, and operational system enhancements.Leverage data analytics to drive decision-making and predictive insights.Safety Requirements
- Team members will be trained in the proper use and care of assigned PPE. POLARIS Laboratories LLC provides the required PPE. It is your responsibility to report defective, damaged or lost PPE, or equipment that does not fit properly, to your Manager.
- The following safety training for POLARIS Laboratories employees to complete includes:
- Hazmat, OSHA, RCRA, Methylene Chloride, Contingency Plan, POLARIS Quality System, Internal Auditor.
Core Competencies
- Strategic thinking and execution
- Data-driven decision-making
- Change leadership
- Financial acumen
- Stakeholder influence and executive presence
- Systems thinking
- Strong facilitation and coaching skills
- Power BI
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- % reduction in operational costs
- Improvement in cycle time and throughput
- Quality defect reduction rates
- Employee engagement in CI initiatives
- ROI on transformation programs
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (equivalent experience).
EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years of progressive leadership in operations, process improvement, or transformation roles.
- Proven success leading enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience managing cross-functional teams in complex organizations.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Works in an office environment.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to Chief Operating Officer.
90000.00 To 115000.00 (USD) Annually
