Operational Excellence Manager

Gemini is looking for an OPEX Manager to join the Gemini team! This position leads the strategy and execution of continuous improvement across the organization. This role partners with executive leadership, site leaders, and cross-functional teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer experience. The manager establishes scalable operating practices, builds problem-solving capabilities, and oversees a portfolio of improvement initiatives that deliver measurable, sustainable business results. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategic direction with active engagement in manufacturing operations. The manager works closely with leaders and employees at all levels to identify opportunities, implement improvements, develop internal capabilities, and ensure results are sustained over time. Location: Taylor, TX, Cannon Falls, MN, or Decorah, IA Type: Full Time – On-site Schedule: 5/8 hour days (Monday through Friday) Travel: 50%

A day in the life of an OPEX Manager at Gemini includes:

Essential Functions

• Strategy and deployment: Develop and execute an operational excellence roadmap aligned with business priorities; translate strategic objectives into clear initiatives, ownership, milestones, and measures. Translate strategic goals into actionable initiatives with defined ownership, timelines, milestones, performance measures, and expected outcomes.

Partner with executive leadership and site management to establish improvement priorities and drive consistent execution across the organization.

• Improvement portfolio: Identify, prioritize, and oversee improvement opportunities across functions and locations, balancing business impact, implementation effort, resources, and risk.
• Process improvement: Lead the application of Lean, Six Sigma, value-stream mapping, root-cause analysis, standard work, and structured problem-solving to reduce waste, variation, defects, and delays.
• Operating system: Establish consistent daily management practices, visual performance measures, escalation processes, and review routines that strengthen accountability and execution. Assess, monitor, and enhance manufacturing performance by analyzing current practices and implement changes in workflows, structures, and teams that result in improved performance.
• Financial results: Partner with Finance to establish project baselines, validate benefits, distinguish realized savings from cost avoidance, and monitor sustained results.
• Cross-functional leadership: Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, HR, and other stakeholders to address end-to-end process challenges and share effective practices.
• Capability building: Develop training, coaching, and facilitation approaches that build continuous improvement skills among leaders and employees.
• Team leadership: Lead and develop the operational excellence team, as applicable; set priorities, allocate resources, and establish clear expectations for delivery.
• Change management: Engage process owners and employees in designing improvements, communicate the reasons for change, and reinforce adoption through practical implementation and follow-up.
• Data and technology: Define reliable performance measures and partner with technology teams to improve data visibility, streamline workflows, and evaluate automation opportunities.
• Sustainment and governance: Establish process ownership, documentation, control plans, and periodic reviews to maintain improvements and prevent recurrence of issues.
• Safety and quality: Ensure improvement initiatives support applicable safety, quality, and compliance requirements without compromising product or service integrity.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, interpersonal, and team development skills.
• Demonstrated experience deploying Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable methodologies to achieve measurable, sustained improvements.
• Thorough knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Strong business acumen with working knowledge of budgets, financial statements, capital planning, and performance metrics.
• Ability to influence, adapt, and lead effectively through change.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities with urgency and discipline.
• Working knowledge of production scheduling, material flow, shop floor control, inventory control, and project management systems.
• Excellent collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, maintenance, and commercial functions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across functions, facilitate structured problem-solving, and lead organizational changes.
• Strong communication, presentation, coaching, and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to engage frontline employees and executive leaders.
• This is a hands-on working manager position with the expectation of developing and executing continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications – Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in operations, continuous improvement, process engineering, or a related discipline, including at least 5 years leading cross-functional improvement programs or teams.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and implementing strategic initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing roadmaps, managing project portfolios, and aligning resources with business priorities
• Strong analytical skills, including experience interpreting operational and financial data and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Black Belt certification, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• Experience leading operational excellence across multiple sites or business units.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or another operationally complex environment relevant to the business.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning systems, business intelligence tools, statistical analysis, or workflow automation.
• Previous multi-site or multi-plant leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to travel approximately 50% of the time.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. The actual title and individual compensation packages are dependent upon various factors unique to each candidate including skillset, training, transferable skills, work experience, qualifications, business needs, market demands, and other job-related reasons. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role is eligible for other benefits. How we show we care

• $0 Health Insurance Premium for Employee-Only Coverage (Plus low-cost premiums for other coverage levels!)
• 4% Retirement Match with Profit Sharing
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday, Parental, Volunteer, and Sick)
• Dental, Vision, Disability and Life Insurance
• Get Paid Weekly
• Use of Company Owned Resort in Hayward, WI
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

About Us

As a leader in the signage manufacturing industry, Gemini, Inc. has been providing stability to our employees since 1963. We know what it means to be human, and we strive to make sure our employees feel valued. Due to our incredible family of employees, we have grown substantially and are looking to grow our team further with like-minded individuals that share in our company values: Customer Commitment, Teamwork, Respect, Diversity, Stability, Stewardship. At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful vision: Successful Partners. Engaged People. Thriving Communities. This vision guides how we show up every day for our customers, for one another, and for the communities we call home.

• We are an Equal Opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
• Gemini will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. For additional assistance email; hr.dept@geminisignproducts.com or call (507) 263-3957 and ask for the Human Resources Representative assigned to the location of interest.

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.