Operational Excellence Supervisor

Thank you for your interest in Mueller Water Products, Inc.

For more than 165 years, Mueller Water Products, Inc. has been building the future of water infrastructure. From lifesaving fire protection to data intelligence, we are committed to developing products and solutions that help cities and utilities deliver clean, safe drinking water to hundreds of millions of people across North America.

Our purpose is to connect communities to water, life’s most essential resource, with exceptional, people solutions and products. Behind that purpose is a dedicated team, united by our shared values of respect, integrity, trust, inclusion and safety. With a vision to be the leader in water infrastructure solutions—solving challenges, enriching lives and safeguarding the future—we are making a positive impact that will last for generations.

By joining Mueller, you become part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence and innovation, working collaboratively to achieve meaningful results. We champion our people because when they succeed, our communities thrive. We invite you to learn more about career opportunities with us and consider submitting your application.

Operational Excellence Supervisor

Mueller Water Products is a leading manufacturer of flow control products for the water and gas distribution industries. Our manufacturing commitment helps ensure that one of the world's most precious resources lean drinking water reaches millions of people every day.

The Operational Excellence Supervisor leads the facility's Operational Excellence function and is responsible for developing the OPEX team and delivering measurable, sustainable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity and Capacity.

This position leads Mechanical Engineers and Lean People and partners closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, EHS and other functions to improve manufacturing performance, eliminate waste and variation, strengthen processes, reduce cost, and build organizational capability.

The Operational Excellence Supervisor is a key change leader within the facility, responsible for establishing priorities, developing people, leading improvement initiatives and ensuring improvements are implemented, measured, financially validated and sustained.

Lead, develop, coach, and hold accountable Mechanical Engineers and Lean People to achieve individual, team and plant objectives

Establish clear priorities, expectations, goals and performance measures for the OPEX team

Build the technical, leadership and problem-solving capability of engineers, Lean People, supervisors and production employees

Develop a culture of ownership, accountability, employee involvement, and continuous improvement

Develop talent and succession capability within the OPEX organization

Build strong working relationships with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, EHS, and other functional leaders

Lead through influence and collaboration while maintaining accountability for commitments and results

Develop and execute the facility's Operational Excellence strategy and improvement roadmap in alignment with the Manufacturing Manager and business objectives

Identify and prioritize the facility's improvement portfolio based on business impact, urgency, risk, resources and expected return

Lead initiatives that improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, Capacity and customer satisfaction

Identify and eliminate waste, bottlenecks, variation, defects, downtime and non-value-added activities

Lead Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, DMAIC, A3, PDCA and other structured improvement initiatives

Lead Value Stream Mapping and future-state planning to improve material and information flow

Ensure improvements are translated into standard work, daily management practices and sustainable operating processes

Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor through Gemba walks, direct observation, data analysis and engagement with employees and leaders

Identify and lead initiatives that reduce manufacturing cost and improve financial performance

Establish cost-reduction opportunities through labor productivity, scrap and rework reduction, material utilization, downtime reduction, cycle-time improvement, capacity improvement, inventory reduction and process optimization

Develop business cases and financial justification for significant improvement and capital projects

Establish project baselines and quantify expected financial benefits before implementation where appropriate

Partner with Finance and Manufacturing leadership to validate savings, cost avoidance, productivity improvements, and other financial benefits

Ensure cost savings and productivity improvements are sustained and reflected in ongoing performance

Maintain an improvement pipeline that includes both operational and financially significant opportunities

Establish and strengthen daily management systems that enable teams and leaders to identify performance gaps and take timely corrective action

Establish and maintain visual management and performance-review processes that make abnormalities, priorities and accountability visible

Partner with Manufacturing leaders to strengthen Tier meetings, leader standard work, escalation processes and follow-through

Monitor key performance indicators and ensure corrective actions are assigned, executed and sustained

Use facts, data and direct observation to identify the highest-value opportunities for improvement

Communicate plant performance, risks, opportunities and improvement progress to leadership

Lead the engineering team in improving manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, throughput, cycle time, capacity, labor productivity and process capability

Evaluate processes and equipment to identify opportunities for simplification, automation, improved utilization and increased reliability

Lead or support manufacturing equipment specification, procurement, installation, commissioning and process validation

Develop and manage capital improvement projects, including scope, justification, implementation and verification of results

Partner with Operations and Maintenance to identify and eliminate equipment and process constraints

Ensure manufacturing process changes are effectively implemented, documented and sustained

Partner with Quality and Manufacturing to improve Quality at the Source and first-time-right manufacturing

Lead structured root-cause investigations and corrective actions for significant safety, quality, delivery, cost and productivity problems

Utilize data and statistical methods to reduce process variation and improve process capability

Apply appropriate problem-solving and risk-management methodologies based on the nature and complexity of the problem

Develop and implement effective process controls, error-proofing and preventive action

Ensure process improvements address safety, quality, regulatory and customer requirement

Drive prevention of recurring problems rather than relying solely on corrective action

Develop and maintain standard work, work instructions, process sheets, work standards and other manufacturing documentation

Ensure process changes are effectively communicated, implemented and incorporated into standard work

Establish methods to verify adherence to standard work and identify opportunities for improvement

Develop visual standards and controls that make abnormal conditions and process gaps readily visible

Ensure completed improvements are transferred into normal operating practices and daily management

Manage multiple improvement and engineering projects while balancing priorities, resources, timelines and business needs

Establish project objectives, milestones, responsibilities, expected results and measures of success

Identify and remove project roadblocks and escalate issues appropriately

Lead organizational change by engaging employees, addressing barriers and ensuring adoption of new processes

Verify operational and financial results and ensure successful projects are sustained after implementation

Strong working knowledge of appropriate Lean and manufacturing methodologies, including:

Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen

Value Stream Mapping

5S and visual management

Standard work

OEE

SMED

TPM

SPC and process capability

Root-cause analysis

DMAIC / PDCA / A3 / 8D

PFMEA and process risk analysis

Poka-Yoke / mistake-proofing

Bottleneck and constraint analysis

Material and information flow

Waste elimination and process optimization

The successful candidate is not expected to be an expert in every methodology listed above. The expectation is the individual can select and effectively apply the appropriate tools and methods to solve business and manufacturing problems.

Demonstrate visible leadership and personal commitment to a safe working environment

Incorporate safety and ergonomic considerations into process, equipment and continuous-improvement activities

Partner with EHS and Manufacturing to identify and eliminate safety risks

Ensure process changes comply with applicable company policies, regulatory requirements and quality-system requirements

Promote a culture in which employees are expected and empowered to identify and address safety concerns

The successful candidate will:

Lead with accountability, integrity, respect and a continuous-improvement mindset

Develop people and organizational capability rather than simply solving problems for others

Use facts, data and direct observation to drive decisions

Communicate clearly and effectively with both hourly and salaried employees

Influence across organizational boundaries and effectively manage difficult conversations

Balance immediate operational needs with sustainable long-term improvement

Success in this position will be demonstrated through measurable and sustainable improvement in:

Safety performance

Quality and first-pass yield

Scrap and rework

Throughput and capacity

Cycle time

OEE and equipment effectiveness

Labor productivity

On-time delivery

Manufacturing cost

Cost reduction and cost avoidance

Verified productivity savings

Process capability and variation

Improvement-project execution and sustainability

OPEX team performance and capability development

Employee engagement and continuous-improvement capability

Standard-work adoption and process discipline

Verified financial and operational benefits

Ability to work effectively in both office and industrial/manufacturing environments

Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods

Ability to perform repetitive gross or fine motor movements using hands, wrists and fingers

Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, steel-toed or metatarsal-guarded footwear, hearing protection and other PPE as required

Ability to communicate effectively with employees and leaders in person, by telephone and through computer-based communication

Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds

Ability to occasionally reach overhead or at or below shoulder level

Ability to occasionally stoop, crouch or kneel as required to observe manufacturing processes

Mueller Water Products is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, performance, business needs, and other applicable lawful criteria.

Other Compensation & Benefits:

Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with 5% Company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability benefits, vacation, 100% paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, student debt retirement matching, well-being program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and more.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Mueller Water Products, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries, are equal employment employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression), age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In keeping with its obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law, Mueller will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or interview process, please contact a member of the Human Resources Department.

Notice of E-Verify Participation:

This employer participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. The system compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This notice applies to all applicants and employees, including those hired to work remotely.

Upon enrollment, employers participating in E-Verify are required to clearly display the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters in English and Spanish, both which may be accessed at the links provided below.

IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish)

Accommodation:

If you require accommodations during any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are happy to work with you to meet your needs.