Job DescriptionJob Description
Make a Difference in YOUR Career!
Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.
We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.
Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We are solutions-based. We are innovative. We seek out new challenges and conquer them. This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.
Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table?
Summary Description:
Reporting to the Vice President of Operations North America, the Vice President of Operational Excellence is responsible for setting and leading the North American strategy for operational excellence, operational transformation, maintenance excellence, and operations workforce capability development.
Responsible for driving operational performance, leading transformation initiatives, and ensuring alignment between business strategy and operational execution. This role blends leadership, process optimization, equipment reliability, and change management to improve efficiency, quality, and profitability across the organization.
Essential Job Functions:
Enterprise Operational Excellence & Transformation Leadership
Lead the development, deployment, and governance of the North American Operational Excellence and Transformation strategy aligned with corporate objectivesEstablish and manage a multi-year transformation roadmap integrating Continuous Improvement, Maintenance Excellence, and Training initiativesDrive enterprise-wide adoption of standardized systems, tools, and processes across all facilitiesPartner with executive leadership to align transformation priorities with business strategy and financial goals
Leadership of Continuous Improvement, Maintenance Excellence & Training
Provide strategic leadership and direction to the leaders of:Maintenance ExcellenceOperational ExcellenceManufacturing TrainingEnsure alignment and integration across functions to deliver end-to-end operational performance improvementsBuild strong leadership capability and succession pipelines within each function
Targeted Improvement & Problem-Solving Approach
Ensure all improvement initiatives are grounded in clearly defined business problems and measurable outcomesDifferentiate strategies by plant maturity, capability, and performance gaps rather than applying uniform solutions across all sitesLead structured problem-solving processes to identify root causes and prioritize high-impact opportunitiesBalance standardization with flexibility to enable site-specific optimizationDrive a disciplined approach to initiative selection, focusing on value creation, speed, and sustainabilityBuild problem-solving capability at all levels, from plant leadership to frontline associates
Operational Excellence System & Continuous Improvement
Oversee and strengthen the Refresco Manufacturing System (RMS) ensuring consistent implementation across all sites and performance management is embedded in daily management systemsChampion Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies to drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvementsEnsure standardization of KPIs, tools, and processes to enable sustainable results and benchmarking across plantsLeverage Kaizen events, coaching and training to eliminate waste, improve flow, and run better through sustained process improvementMove the organization from project-based improvement to habitual, leader-led continuous improvement
Maintenance & Asset Reliability Excellence
Oversee the North American Maintenance Excellence strategy and roadmap executionEnsure implementation of best-in-class asset management, reliability, and maintenance practices to improve OEE and reduce downtimeDrive integration of predictive and preventive maintenance programs supported by CMMS/EAM systemsAlign maintenance strategies with operational and financial performance targetsDrive a zero-breakdown mindset across all facilities, shifting from reactive to proactive and predictive maintenanceChampion Autonomous Maintenance (AM) as a core pillar of operational excellence, ensuring clear ownership at the line levelEnsure strong integration between maintenance, operations, and training to sustain equipment reliability improvementsFocus on long-term system health vs short-term fix
Workforce Capability & Training Strategy
Establish enterprise-wide manufacturing training and capability-building strategies aligned with operational excellence prioritiesEnsure deployment of standardized training systems and programs across all manufacturing sitesPartner with HR and operations leadership to accelerate time-to-competency and improve workforce effectivenessOversee development of technical training and continuous improvement capability programsShift training from compliance-based activity to capability-building systems that enable performance improvementEnsure training is directly linked to operational outcomes, including reliability, efficiency, and qualityStandardize critical training frameworks while allowing flexibility for site-specific needsBuild clear pathways to accelerate employee time-to-competence and mastery
Transformation Program Governance & Execution
Conduct comprehensive evaluations of North American operations to identify inefficiencies and opportunitiesEstablish governance frameworks to prioritize, track, and execute transformation initiativesEnsure clear accountability, milestones, and benefit realization across all major initiativesProvide executive-level reporting on progress, risks, and outcomesDrive disciplined program management and cross-functional alignment
Data, Metrics & Performance Management
Establish enterprise-wide KPIs and dashboards to monitor operational and transformation performanceEnsure data-driven decision-making across all levels of the organizationLeverage analytics to identify opportunities, track improvements, and sustain gainsDrive visibility and transparency of performance across all sites
Change Leadership & Culture
Lead large-scale change management initiatives to embed a culture of operational excellenceFoster a high-performance, accountable, and continuous improvement cultureDrive leadership engagement and frontline adoption of new processes and standardsBuild organizational capability through coaching, training, and mentorshipDeep expertise in operational excellence, Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies
Required Skills:
Strong understanding of maintenance, reliability, and asset management best practicesProven ability to lead enterprise-wide transformation initiatives with measurable impactStrong financial acumen, including cost optimization and ROI analysisAdvanced data analysis and performance management capabilitiesExpertise in change management and organizational transformationExceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skillsAbility to manage complex, multi-site operations and competing prioritiesDemonstrated ability to diagnose business problems and prioritize the highest-impact opportunities Proven track record building sustainable operating systems vs one-time improvementsStrong emotional intelligence with the ability to influence, coach, and drive behavior change across all levelsAbility to balance standardization and flexibility in a multi-site manufacturing environmentExperience embedding autonomous maintenance and operator ownership model
Competencies:
Leadership: Builds trust, inspires teams, and drives a clear and ambitious visionStrategic Thinking: Aligns operational initiatives with long-term business goalsExecution Excellence: Delivers results through disciplined execution and accountabilityChange Leadership: Effectively drives and sustains organizational changeCollaboration & Influence: Works across all levels of the organization to achieve resultsContinuous Improvement Mindset: Champions innovation, efficiency, and performanceSituational Leadership: Adapts approach based on site maturity, capability, and business needsEmotional Intelligence: Builds trust, navigates resistance, and effectively influences the organizationProblem Framing: Clearly defines problems before solutioning to ensure effort is focused on what matters most
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field required; MBA preferred15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, or transformationProven experience leading multi-site or regional operational excellence and transformation initiativesStrong background in Lean, TPM, Continuous Improvement, and Maintenance ExcellenceExperience in food & beverage, FMCG, or similar manufacturing environments preferredDemonstrated success building high-performing teams and driving cultural transformation
Travel Requirements:
Frequent travel (up to 50%) across North American manufacturing facilities
A Career with Refresco
Refresco is passionate about empowering leaders who reflect our core values and live by our leadership behaviors. These behaviors encourage effective leadership within the business, and focus on leading courageously, empowering individuals, and driving company growth as one team. Joining our team as a people manager means you’ll be encouraged to evolve as a leader who prioritizes the success of both you and your team, to deliver results, whilst bringing your authentic self to work.
Refresco Beverages US, Inc. offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, which include:
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts Life and AD&D Insurance Pet Insurance Legal Benefits 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match 12 Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Paid Time Off Well-being Benefits Discount and Total Reward Programs
Join Refresco TODAY and enjoy a rewarding CAREER!
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Refresco Beverages US, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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