Position SummaryThe Operations Excellence (OpEx) Manager is responsible for driving Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), continuous improvement, and operational performance across a 410,000 sq ft, highly automated USDA-regulated manufacturing facility with 500 team members.This role leads the implementation and sustainment of TPM pillars to improve OEE, reduce downtime, stabilize processes, and build frontline ownership of equipment. The OpEx Manager partners cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to deliver measurable improvements in throughput, cost, reliability, and food safety compliance.Key ResponsibilitiesTPM System Leadership (Primary Ownership)Lead full-site deployment and maturity of TPM pillars:Autonomous Maintenance (AM)Planned Maintenance (PM)Focused Improvement (FI / Kaizen)Early Equipment Management (EEM)Quality MaintenanceEstablish TPM governance structure, cadence, and accountability at all levelsDefine and advance TPM maturity roadmap (Levels 1–5 progression)Drive operator ownership of basic equipment care (clean, inspect, lubricate, tighten)Equipment Reliability & OEE ImprovementOwn and improve key asset performance metrics:OEE (Availability, Performance, Quality)MTBF / MTTRPlanned vs. unplanned downtimePartner with Maintenance and Reliability teams to:Strengthen PM/PdM practicesIdentify and eliminate chronic lossesEnsure TPM activities are aligned to highest-value bottlenecks (formulation, smokehouse, packaging, automation systems)Loss Elimination & Continuous ImprovementLead structured problem-solving using:Root Cause Analysis (RCA)5 Why, Fishbone, ParetoFacilitate cross-functional Kaizen events focused on:Downtime reductionChangeover optimizationYield improvementBuild and maintain loss trees to prioritize improvement focusAutonomous Maintenance (AM) DeploymentDevelop and roll out AM standards across all lines:Center liningCleaning and inspection standardsAbnormality identification and taggingTrain operators to identify early signs of failureTransition basic maintenance tasks from maintenance to operators where appropriateAudit AM execution and effectivenessPlanned & Predictive Maintenance IntegrationPartner with Maintenance leadership to:Improve PM compliance and qualityIncorporate predictive tools (vibration, thermal, etc.)Ensure maintenance strategies align with failure modes and production riskDrive reduction of reactive maintenance through improved planningChange Management & Capability BuildingTrain and coach:Production supervisors and operators on TPM principlesMaintenance teams on reliability-centered practicesDevelop TPM champions within each departmentBuild a culture of ownership and accountability at the frontlinePerformance Management & Visual ManagementImplement plant-wide visual management systems:Tiered accountability boardsDaily performance tracking (OEE, downtime, defects)Lead daily/weekly performance reviews tied to TPM metricsEstablish standard KPI tracking across lines and departmentsData, Analytics & Systems IntegrationLeverage CMMS, MES, and production data systems to:Identify trends and lossesTrack improvement impactEnsure data accuracy and consistency across reporting platformsDevelop dashboards for leadership visibility into performanceUSDA / GMP / Food Safety IntegrationEnsure all TPM and maintenance practices comply with:USDA regulationsGMP standardsFood safety requirementsIntegrate sanitation and equipment care into TPM routinesSupport audit readiness and compliance effortsCross-Functional LeadershipAct as a key bridge between:OperationsMaintenanceEngineeringQuality & Food SafetyAlign improvement initiatives with plant priorities and production goalsSupport capital projects with TPM and reliability input