The Business Process Leader is accountable for enterprise-wide process excellence, operational transformation, and continuous improvement strategy. This role expands beyond traditional Lean management to own end-to-end business processes, drive cross-functional alignment, and translate operational strategy into measurable business results.
The Business Process Leader partners directly with executive leadership to identify, prioritize, and deliver initiatives that improve cost structure, scalability, customer experience, and operational performance across manufacturing, field operations, and supporting functions. This role exercises influence across departmental boundaries and serves as a key architect of how the business operates today and in the future.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned):
Enterprise Process Leadership
- Own and continuously improve end-to-end business processes spanning manufacturing, supply chain, field operations, and supporting functions.
- Establish enterprise standards for process design, documentation, governance, and performance measurement.
- Lead the development and maintenance of current- and future-state value stream maps across the organization.
Strategy & Transformation
- Translate company strategy into a multi-year operational transformation roadmap with clear financial and operational outcomes.
- Identify high-impact opportunities to reduce waste, improve flow, increase capacity, and enhance customer value.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on operational risks, tradeoffs, and investment decisions.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Excellence
- Drive advanced Lean principles including Standard Work, 5S, Visual Management, Single Piece Flow, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and RCCMs at an enterprise level.
- Lead and sponsor Kaizen events and large-scale improvement initiatives with measurable ROI.
- Ensure consistent deployment and maturity of MDI (Manage for Daily Improvement) across departments.
Financial & Performance Management
- Develop and own enterprise KPIs, bowling charts (X-charts), and dashboards tied to strategic objectives.
- Quantify financial impact of improvement initiatives, including cost savings, productivity gains, and working capital improvements.
- Partner with Finance to validate benefits and track sustained results.
Leadership & Influence
- Mobilize and align cross-functional stakeholders, including senior leaders, managers, frontline employees, suppliers, and customers.
- Coach, mentor, and develop leaders in continuous improvement mindset and tools.
- Influence without direct authority while holding teams accountable to outcomes.
Operational Governance & Execution
- Ensure process improvements are operationalized, sustained, and embedded into daily execution.
- Oversee Standard Work audits, process documentation, and continuous compliance.
- Support day-to-day operational leadership to balance production demands with long-term improvement goals.
Safety & Compliance
- Act as a visible leader in Environmental, Health, and Safety practices across all operational processes.
- Ensure process designs support regulatory, quality, and safety requirements.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Deep expertise in Lean, operational excellence, and enterprise process design
- Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to quantify value creation
- Executive-level communication, facilitation, and influence skills
- Advanced project and change management capabilities
- Proficiency in MS Office; experience with workflow and project tools (e.g., Monday) a plus
Education and Work Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred (Master’s degree a plus)
- 8+ years in operational excellence, process leadership, or continuous improvement roles
- Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-scale transformation initiatives
- Proven ability to influence and lead senior leaders and cross-functional teams
Reporting to this Position: None
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be at least 18 years of age due to work conditions.
- Physical Demands: This position sits and walks in an office environment. This position involves computer use.
- Work Environment: This position regularly works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is commensurate with an office site.
