Vice President, Operational Excellence

Career Guide

A Vice President of Operational Excellence leads company-wide improvements in how work gets done. The role focuses on building consistent processes, reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing speed and reliability across operations. This leader partners with executives and frontline teams to turn strategy into measurable performance gains.

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Key Responsibilities

Set an operational excellence strategy aligned to company goals
Build and manage a portfolio of improvement initiatives
Standardize core processes across sites, regions, and functions
Improve end-to-end customer and employee experiences by removing friction
Establish performance metrics, targets, and review rhythms
Lead problem-solving for chronic issues affecting cost, quality, and delivery
Develop continuous improvement capabilities through coaching and training
Lead change management for new ways of working
Partner with Finance to quantify value and track savings
Work with Technology teams to enable process improvement through automation
Ensure governance for process ownership and compliance
Build and lead an operational excellence team including program leaders and coaches

Top Skills for Success

Strategic Planning

Executive Communication

Stakeholder Management

Change Leadership

Program Management

People Leadership

Process Mapping

Continuous Improvement

Root Cause Analysis

Performance Metrics

Standard Work

Quality Management

Process Governance

Lean

Six Sigma

Operational Finance

Automation Strategy

Data Fluency

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Chief Operating Officer Senior Vice President of Operations Chief Transformation Officer General Manager

Vice President of Supply Chain

Vice President of Manufacturing

Vice President of Customer Operations

Transition Opportunities

Vice President of Strategy Vice President of Enterprise Program Management

Vice President of Business Transformation

Vice President of Quality

Vice President of Shared Services

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Enterprise Change ManagementValue TrackingProcess Ownership ModelsCross Functional InfluenceAutomation RoadmappingCustomer Experience MeasurementExecutive Storytelling

Development SuggestionsBuild a repeatable operating system for improvements, including a clear intake process, prioritization, benefits tracking, and monthly reviews. Strengthen executive communication by translating initiatives into outcomes tied to cost, quality, speed, and customer impact. Partner closely with Technology and Finance to improve automation planning and value realization.

Market Intelligence Report

Vice President, Operational Excellence is part of the Business Operations category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level150,000 to 200,000 USD

Mid Level200,000 to 275,000 USD

Senior Level275,000 to 400,000 USD

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring is strongest in organizations scaling operations, modernizing supply chains, improving service reliability, and funding efficiency programs.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

AmazonWalmartTargetUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthFedExUPSBoeingGE AerospaceSiemens3MJohnson and JohnsonProcter and GamblePepsiCoToyotaGeneral MotorsDHLAccentureDeloitteIBM

Industry Sectors

ManufacturingRetailLogistics and TransportationHealthcarePharmaceuticalsFinancial Services OperationsTechnology and Cloud OperationsEnergy and UtilitiesTelecommunicationsConsumer Packaged Goods

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio narrative that quantifies impact in cost, quality, delivery, and capacity

Define a standard set of operational metrics and a cadence for executive reviews

Assess current processes and identify the top three cross-functional bottlenecks

Establish a benefits tracking model with Finance and publish a value dashboard

Develop a training plan to scale continuous improvement skills across leaders

Refresh your resume with measurable outcomes and scope such as sites, teams, and budgets

Target roles in sectors undergoing transformation such as logistics, healthcare operations, and manufacturing modernization