Operational Excellence Engineer

Overview

Sonny's Enterprises is the world's largest manufacturer of conveyorized car wash equipment, parts, and supplies. We are the industry leader, recognized and awarded by the International Car Wash Association for innovating new technologies to advance the industry with products proudly designed and built in the USA. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what’s next. We embrace change and the opportunity it produces to maximize the potential of our most valuable resource — our PEOPLE! We invite you to explore our opportunities and grow your career with us.

Located at our Headquarters in either Mentor, OH or Tamarac, FL, the Operational Excellence (OpX) Engineer is responsible for driving Continuous Improvement and Lean initiatives across the organization. This role develops, implements, and sustains process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and productivity within manufacturing operations. Partnering closely with production and cross-functional teams, the OpX Engineer leads efforts to build a culture of Continuous Improvement and implement World Class Operations best practices.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing programs to achieve measurable performance gains.
• Identify and prioritize key opportunities to eliminate waste, reduce costs, and streamline processes across the Operations Value Chain.
• Develop, implement, and monitor project management frameworks for operational improvement initiatives.
• Manage a team of Kaizen Technicians, ensuring timely execution, progress tracking, and follow-up on improvement activities.
• Facilitate and support root cause analysis and problem-solving efforts across all levels of the organization.
• Design and deliver training programs to build organizational capabilities in Lean and World Class Operations principles.
• Coach employees and leaders to promote a Continuous Improvement mindset and drive cultural change.
• Analyze operational data (e.g., OEE, downtime, Pareto analysis) to identify trends and define improvement priorities.
• Maintain accurate and current process documentation, including SOPs, guidelines, and best practices.
• Partner with leadership to align improvement initiatives with strategic business goals.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence roles.
• Lean Manufacturing Expertise: Skilled in 5S, Kaizen, SMED, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and other Lean tools.
• Project Management: Strong ability to plan, execute, and track multiple improvement projects simultaneously.
• Analytical Thinking: Proven ability to evaluate complex processes, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Coaching & Training: Experience mentoring and developing employees at all levels in Lean principles and methods.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in analyzing OEE, downtime, and performance data to develop actionable insights.
• Change Leadership: Ability to influence teams and foster an environment committed to Continuous Improvement.

We offer 100% employer paid medical plan. Other optional benefit programs are available to our employees and their families which include: 401(k) match, additional medical plans, dental, vision, flex spending account, short-term and long-term disability & life insurance coverage. EEO Statement Equal Opportunity Employer Sonny’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, and any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.

#IND3