M4M4 — Director
Sr. Manager or Associate Director, Operational Excellence
Oversees the OpEx function for an entire plant or a major segment. Develops and executes the site or division’s continuous improvement strategy.
What this level means
Leads a function or department; owns strategy, budget, and outcomes for the area.
- Scope
- A function or department
- Autonomy
- Owns area strategy and budget
- Complexity
- Strategic priorities and cross-functional alignment
- Impact
- Function-level results
- Decision rights
- Owns strategy, budget, and org design for the area
- Leadership
- Leads managers; sets direction for the function
- Typical experience
- 10–15 yrs
What you'd do
- Integrate CI with corporate systems
- Manage a larger budget for capital projects
- Develop and execute site CI strategy
- Lead large-scale improvement initiatives
- Ensure alignment with corporate objectives
- Oversee budget and resource allocation
- Facilitate executive-level meetings
- Monitor and report on strategic initiatives
- Drive innovation in CI practices
- Mentor senior staff
- Develop CI strategy
- Manage budgets
- Integrate CI with corporate systems
Skills, knowledge & tools
- Strategic development
- Budget management
- Innovation in CI
- Executive communication
- Leadership
- Mentorship
- Resource allocation
- Corporate alignment
- Strategic management
- Budgeting and financial management
- Innovation in operational excellence
- Executive communication strategies
- Leadership and mentorship principles
- Corporate alignment and integration
- Continuous improvement methodologies
- Organizational development
- Strategic Thinking
- Adaptability
- Political savvy
- Budget management
- Innovation
- Executive communication
- Leadership
- Mentorship
What good looks like
- 8–12+ years of experience
- Master’s degree or advanced training
- Proven strategic leadership
- Experience in budget management
- Strong innovation skills
What it pays
Market-pay benchmarks for this family × level are being recalibrated across all survey sources and will return shortly.
O*NET / SOC: 13-0000 — Business & Financial Operations Occupations (inferred)