Sr. Regional Ops. Excellence Manager - North

Make a Difference in YOUR Career!

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.  

We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.

Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We are solutions-based. We are innovative.  We seek out new challenges and conquer them.  This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.

Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table?  

Position Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Senior Regional Operations Excellence Manager leads the development and implementation of Operational Excellence across multiple plants. This role provides coaching on the Refresco Management System (RMS), Kaizen methodologies, and the broader Operational Excellence strategy, driving improvements in safety, first-pass quality, line productivity, yield, indirect labor, and maintenance. The manager is responsible for deploying change management initiatives, operational playbooks, and standardized software tools while enhancing talent capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. With a strong background in strategy deployment, this individual will actively teach and coach employees in Lean and Kaizen principles, including 8 Wastes, Standard Work, SMED, 5S, and Centerlining. Partnering closely with Plant Leadership, the Senior Regional Operations Excellence Manager will coordinate and execute key initiatives while collaborating with the Senior Director of Operations, Plant Managers, and North American and Global Leadership teams to drive sustainable operational improvements.

Essential Job Functions:

• Partner with leadership to develop, standardize, and implement company strategies and KPIs across your region.
• Support the development of tools and processes to implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives and cost savings.
• Champion a Lean culture throughout your region and across the company.
• Teach and mentor employees—both CI and non-CI—in Kaizen methodology.
• Drive cultural change by developing standardized training and mentoring others in Lean tools, approaches, and techniques to foster a culture of continuous improvement while enhancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost efficiency in production and office areas.
• Serve as a liaison to share and implement best practices across the organization.
• Coach and lead cost-saving initiatives in collaboration with CI and Operations teams to improve safety, first-pass quality, direct labor, yield, and indirect labor year over year.
• Identify and lead large-scale projects to ensure successful implementation across the organization.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Identify high-potential employees, coaching and mentoring them to lead and execute improvement initiatives while supporting their career growth.
• Assist in identifying and driving cost optimization projects to enhance operational efficiency.
• Operates cross functionally to assure information flow and understanding of overall process improvement direction and expected results.
• Works closely with cross-functional team members to improve standardized dashboarding capabilities.

Required Skills:

• Multi-site experience, with a proven track record of overseeing operations across multiple locations.
• Demonstrated success in driving change, implementing sustainable improvements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Must have at least a basic understanding of how manufacturing equipment operates and functions.
• Expertise in Lean deployment, including hands-on experience with Lean methodologies and tools.
• Project management experience, with the ability to lead and execute initiatives effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with SAP is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a results-driven mindset.
• Budget planning and management experience, ensuring cost-effective operations and resource allocation.

Competencies:

• Leadership - Foster a culture of empowerment by building relationships based on trust, lead courageously on a day-to-day basis, and inspire growth with a clear and ambitious vision that guides the collective effort toward success.
• Independence & Accountability – Take ownership of responsibilities, effectively prioritize multiple assignments, and work independently to drive results with minimal supervision.
• Organization & Time Management – Maintain strong organizational skills to manage competing deadlines, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness under pressure.
• Communication & Collaboration – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Adaptability & Resilience – Thrive in dynamic environments by embracing change, demonstrating flexibility, and maintaining focus in fast-paced, evolving work settings.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management or Operations or related field required.
• 5 (five) – 7 (seven) years’ experience in the Continuous Improvement (Lean manufacturing) and Training Field required; beverage or food strongly preferred.
• Ideal candidate will have a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or higher), Kaizen expertise, and proven leadership in strategy deployment.

Working Conditions:

• Visual/Sensory – This position requires attention to detail, requiring attention with one or two senses at a time.
• Work Environment: Operating in a fast-paced production plant with numerous moving parts. Noise level requires hearing protection and temperatures can get very hot / and or relatively cold. The environment is structured and supervised.
• Mental Stress – There is pronounced pressure from deadlines, project management, accuracy, or similar demands.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel anticipated – 50%

Physical Requirements:

Other Duties:

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

A Career with Refresco 

Refresco is passionate about empowering leaders who reflect our core values and live by our leadership behaviors. These behaviors encourage effective leadership within the business, and focus on leading courageously, empowering individuals, and driving company growth as one team. Joining our team as a people manager means you’ll be encouraged to evolve as a leader who prioritizes the success of both you and your team, to deliver results, whilst bringing your authentic self to work.  

Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:    

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance    
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts  
• Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance 
• Short-term disability and long-term disability   
• Pet Insurance  
• Legal Benefits  
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match  
• 12 Paid Holidays  
• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Days
• Well-being Benefit 
• Discount and Total Reward Programs   

Join Refresco TODAY and enjoy a rewarding CAREER!   

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Employment agencies that have agreements with Refresco Beverages US, Inc., and have been engaged in a search shall submit a résumé to the designated Refresco recruiter or, upon authorization, submit a résumé to this career site to be eligible for placement fees.  

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
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