Director, Operational Excellence-North

Make an Impact With Us

At Vallourec, we are seeking individuals whose passion and dedication match the strength and resilience of the steel we produce. The Director of Operational Excellence (OpEx) will be a highly qualified continuous improvement professional and leader with deep experience in achieving transformative results and working within a management system environment. The role is tasked with the facilitation and deployment of the DRIVE+ (OpEx Management System) and effectively driving the change management necessary to win the hearts and minds of all employees and foster collaboration and participation in design, input and adoption of DRIVE+.

The position leads enterprise-wide continuous improvement by designing, deploying, and sustaining the DRIVE+ Lean Business Management System and Six Sigma methodology across operations and key support functions. This role is accountable for building a high-performance culture rooted in customer value, waste elimination, process capability, and daily management discipline from frontline operators to plant leadership.

The Director partners with General Managers, Plant Managers, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, HSSE, and Maintenance to deliver measurable performance to translate strategy into executable improvement priorities, develop organizational capability, and deliver measurable results in safety, quality (first pass yield), delivery, cost, and inventory control.

This leadership position is accountable for creating a culture of continuous improvement, strengthening process capability, and ensuring that manufacturing processes, work systems, and daily management routines are robust, repeatable, and scalable across the network.

Your Role at a Glance

• Design and deploy the enterprise DRIVE+ management system tailored for manufacturing and support function operations which include:

• Tiered daily accountability meetings (L1, L2, L3 Daily Meeting design and oversight),

• Visual factor performance boards and standard KPI displays,

• Standard Work and Synchronized Agenda for shop floor leaders, technicians and team leaders,

• Gemba-based problem-solving routines.

• Establish consistent management routines that sustain performance and expose abnormalities rapidly.

• Ensure LBMS practices are integrated with existing operational rhythms (S&OP, production meetings, quality reviews, finance cadence).

• Own the enterprise Six Sigma roadmap and certification pathway (Yellow/Green/Black Belt), including curriculum, coaching, and governance.

• Lead and/or sponsor high-impact DMAIC projects that improve process capability, reduce variation, and strengthen CTQ performance.

• Build statistical problem-solving capability across the organization (MSA, SPC, capability analysis, hypothesis testing, regression as relevant).

• Create a portfolio view of improvements with quantified benefits and verified financial impact.

• Translate business strategy into an improvement pipeline: throughput, capacity, OEE, lead time, scrap/rework, cost reduction, working capital, and service.

• Prioritize initiatives using data-driven selection criteria (benefit, feasibility, risk, strategic alignment).

• Establish and chair OpEx governance: project reviews, tollgates, financial validation, benefits tracking, and sustainment audits.

• Drive cross-functional transformation efforts (manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, maintenance, customer service, and administrative processes).

• Define, standardize, and govern KPI definitions and reporting (leading and lagging indicators).

• Embed root cause thinking and countermeasure discipline into daily operations.

• Build leader capability to run effective tiered accountability systems with escalation and fast problem containment.

• Ensure improvements are standardized (standard work, training plans, control plans, mistake-proofing) and sustained over time.

• Coach senior leaders, managers, and frontline teams on Lean leadership behaviors and improvement thinking.

• Develop internal change agents: CI facilitators, belt candidates, kaizen leaders, and value stream owners.

What Sets You Apart

We're looking for individuals who bring the right mix of experience, mindset, and motivation:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, automation) or equivalent experience.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt (Master Black Belt preferred); Toyota Production System certification preferred.
• 8-12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing, operations, or enterprise process improvement. 3-5+ years leading CI programs or teams of 6+ resources.
• Experience deploying lean management systems and leading Six Sigma/TPS initiatives with proven financial results.
• Background in discrete manufacturing, process industries, logistics, or service operations; experience in ISO/API or regulated environments preferred. Understanding of steel metallurgical principles preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across functions and levels, including executives.
• Strong facilitation capabilities (kaizen, value‑stream mapping, strategy deployment).
• Experience rolling out management systems across multiple sites or business units.
• Ability to lead diverse teams, work independently, and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Comfortable engaging with shop‑floor personnel to build communication and alignment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office/O365 and common analytics or quality tools (Power BI, Tableau, Minitab, MES, ERP systems, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
• Proficiency with quality management systems and associated software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities for collaboration, coaching, and change leadership.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

What Powers Your Performance

Success in this role is driven by a strong mix of personal ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We value team members who:

• Communicate clearly and constructively
• Collaborate effectively and contribute to team success
• Adapt to change with a positive, proactive mindset
• Take accountability and show initiative in their work
• Demonstrate reliability and pride in performance
• Prioritize safety and act with awareness
• Embrace feedback and use it to grow
• Maintain high attention to detail
• Drive continuous improvement and challenge the status quo
• Support and develop others through shared learning

How We Support Your Success

We're committed to helping you thrive- on the job and beyond. That's why we offer a collaborative culture where your ideas drive real change, and career mobility within a stable, essential industry. To support your growth and well-being, we also provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Company-Paid Life Insurance & Short/Long-Term Disability
• Profit Sharing: Up to 4%
• 401(k): Company match 4.5% with no vesting period
• Paid Parental Leave: For birthing and non-birthing parents, including adoptions
• Paid Holidays: 10 days, plus 1 personal floating holiday
• Paid Vacation Time
• Performance-Based Bonus Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

Safety isn't negotiable, it's who we are. Every spark, every shift, and every decision is guided by a commitment that goes well beyond compliance. We don't cut corners; we set the standard. That means clear expectations, continuous training, and shared accountability at every level. Protecting our people is more than a priority, it's a promise we make to every colleague, every day.