Kalon Executive Search for Nutraceuticals, CPG and Wellness · 23 hours ago
Operational Excellence Engineer
San Diego, CA, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$120K/yr - $145K/yr
7+ years expKalon Executive Search is seeking an Operational Excellence Leader to drive enterprise-level continuous improvement initiatives within manufacturing operations. The role focuses on championing Lean thinking and operational discipline to enhance efficiency, reliability, and overall operational results.
Staffing & Recruiting
Responsibilities
Define, implement, and sustain a comprehensive Lean strategy that delivers measurable gains in productivity, quality, safety, and cost performance
Systematically identify and eliminate manufacturing inefficiencies, including: Product defects and rework, Excess production beyond demand, Process delays, handoffs, and waiting time, Underutilization of employee skills and knowledge, Unnecessary material handling or transportation, Excess inventory at any stage of production, Inefficient operator or equipment motion, Redundant or non-value-added processing
Lead continuous improvement activities such as kaizen events, waste walks, and structured problem-solving sessions
Create, document, and deploy standard work and operating procedures for operators, supervisors, and leadership teams
Implement visual management systems (e.g., 5S, performance boards, KPIs) that clearly communicate operational status and gaps
Perform time studies, line balancing, and workflow evaluations to increase throughput and improve labor utilization
Develop capacity and staffing models aligned with takt time, cycle time, and customer demand
Standardize processes to reduce variability and improve repeatability
Reduce equipment setup and changeover times using SMED methodologies
Assess facility layout and material flow, recommending improvements to minimize movement and handling waste
Lead initiatives to improve OEE, reduce downtime, and eliminate chronic production losses
Facilitate cross-functional teams in structured problem-solving using tools such as: 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa) analysis, A3 methodology, Fault Tree Analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Drive Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) processes to prevent recurrence of issues
Conduct value stream mapping, process capability analysis, and targeted improvement projects
Promote disciplined problem-solving practices across all organizational levels
Participate in and lead Gemba walks, audits, and tiered accountability meetings
Train and coach employees on Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, and quality systems
Enable frontline teams to recognize waste, propose solutions, and lead improvement efforts
Develop visual dashboards and performance metrics to track progress and reinforce accountability
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Productivity Engineering, or a closely related field
At least 7 years of experience in Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement within a regulated manufacturing environment (food, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, or similar)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required
Proven track record of improving efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing production capacity
Strong working knowledge of Lean tools such as standard work, 5S, SMED, kanban, visual management, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis
Solid foundation in Industrial Engineering principles including time studies, line balancing, capacity analysis, and process standardization
Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills
Data-driven mindset with the ability to convert analysis into actionable improvement plans
Preferred
Exposure to manufacturing automation, MES platforms, or digital Lean solutions
Familiarity with GMP requirements, regulatory compliance, and cleanroom operations
Demonstrated project and change management capabilities
Experience supporting or leading Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives
Benefits
Full benefits
Company
Kalon Executive Search for Nutraceuticals, CPG and Wellness
Kalon Executive Search and Recruitment is focused exclusively in the nutraceuticals and wellness industries.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Liesl Bernard
Chief Executive Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase