At Vallourec, we are seeking a highly qualified continuous improvement professional who is passionate about driving transformative operational performance. The Senior Operational Excellence Engineer leads deployment of the DRIVE+ Operational Excellence Management System, supports strategic lean initiatives, and helps operations teams improve safety, quality, cost, productivity, and people development across North America. The position will provide leadership to assist operating and maintenance leaders in identification, prioritization and implementation of projects, routines and system elements that improve key business indicators. They will provide expertise and support in monitoring, facilitating, leading and training all team members to work effectively within the system, including but not limited to methods such as 5S, TPM, standardization, workflow analysis, value stream mapping, maintenance excellence and Six Sigma. The Senior OpEx Engineer will track overall improvement progress and report as necessary to local up through executive management. The role will also be required to support other sites and other divisions of Vallourec Corporation as needed in the spirit of benchmarking and collaboration, which may result in up to 25% travel.
Your Role at a Glance
Lead deployment, governance, auditing, and continuous improvement of the DRIVE+ Operational Excellence Management System
Facilitate and lead continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, flow, cost, and people performance
Develop KPIs, analytics tools, and performance dashboards to drive operational decision-making
Conduct value stream mapping, workflow analysis, TPM, 5S, standardization, and Six Sigma initiatives
Coach leaders and employees on lean manufacturing principles and daily management systems (MDI)
Partner with finance teams to validate project business cases and financial results
Coordinate Lean and Six Sigma training programs and support skill development initiatives
Lead benchmarking and best-practice sharing across sites and global Vallourec operations
Report improvement progress and strategic results to executive leadership
Travel up to 25% to support regional operational excellence initiatives
What Sets You Apart
We're looking for individuals who bring the right mix of experience, mindset, and motivation:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, or related discipline) required
Master's degree preferred
Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, TPS, or equivalent certification preferred
Experience in operations leadership, process engineering, manufacturing, or industrial operations environments
Demonstrated success deploying Lean, Six Sigma, TPS, or other continuous improvement methodologies
Strong statistical analysis, problem-solving, and project management capabilities
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Visio
Ability to influence and collaborate at all organizational levels
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 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 Vacation Time
Performance-Based Bonus Program
Tuition Reimbursement
Safety isn’t negotiable, it's who we are. Every decision is guided by a commitment to protecting our people through clear expectations, continuous training, and shared accountability.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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