Operational Excellence Specialist

California Dairies Inc • Bakersfield, CA

4d

About The Position

The Operational Excellence Specialist is a full-time, fixed-term role focused on supporting and sustaining foundational Operational Excellence programs. The role is hands-on and shop-floor focused, supporting programs such as Centerlining, Defect Identification, Clean-Inspect-Lubrication (CIL), while assisting with KPI tracking and visual management. Working under the guidance of the Operational Excellence Manager, the Specialist will help coordinate operator training, identify skill gaps, track training plans, and maintain accurate documentation.

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to design training content.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively across multiple departments.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and equipment, preferably in dairy manufacturing.
• Team player who wants to support the manufacturing team.
• Knowledge of learning and management systems and operations training processes.
• Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, attention to detail, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement
• Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills; comfortable coaching front-line teams and supervisors.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or related technical field
• Proficient computer knowledge, including Microsoft Office products
• English is required as the written and spoken language.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate a performance and problem-solving mindset, empowering front line operators and teams to own improvement initiatives.
• Support deployment and sustainment of Centerlining standards to reduce variation and improve equipment stability.
• Implement Defect Identification processes (tagging, escalation, follow-up) and reinforce defect elimination routines.
• Execute Clean-Inspect-Lubrication (CIL) program elements with Maintenance and Operations teams; verify adherence and closure of findings.
• Participate in Focused Improvement activities; support root cause analysis to eliminate losses.
• Assist with OEE loss identification and prioritization; help align improvement actions.
• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures.
• Flexibility with schedule to meet the demands of a 24 x 7 operation.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level