Continuous Improvement & Digital Operations Leader

Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company's product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 78 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over ~23000 professionals in >160 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2025 Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree.

For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com or follow us on social media.

The Continuous Improvement & Digital Operations Leader is responsible for accelerating operational excellence across the Pools Business through Lean deployment, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), digital transformation, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and disciplined PMO governance.

Reporting directly to the VP of Supply Chain Operations, this role will lead continuous improvement deployment at the shop-floor level while serving as the PMO leader for the portfolio of operational and supply chain improvement opportunities.

A critical responsibility is leading the manufacturing digitalization roadmap, including deployment and optimization of MES and digital manufacturing solutions, integration of shop-floor information with business systems, and application of advanced analytics and AI to improve process control and operating performance.

The role will work across batch and continuous manufacturing operations, partnering with Operations, Engineering, Process Technology, Automation, IT/OT, Maintenance & Reliability, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and Finance to use operational data to optimize process parameters, automate outputs where appropriate, reduce process variability, improve reliability, and increase manufacturing performance.

This is a highly hands-on position requiring a leader who can move effectively between the shop floor, manufacturing technology, project execution, data analytics, and executive-level transformation management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment of the company's Continuous Improvement strategy across the manufacturing network, aligning initiatives with business priorities and operational performance objectives.
• Serve as the PMO leader for the operational excellence and digital transformation portfolio, ensuring effective project prioritization, resource alignment, governance, execution discipline, and accountability across all improvement initiatives.
• Establish and maintain portfolio governance processes, including stage-gate reviews, project selection criteria, executive reporting, risk management, benefit realization tracking, and performance measurement.
• Partner with executive and site leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute operational improvement opportunities that support safety, quality, service, productivity, reliability, and cost objectives.
• Lead Lean deployment and shop-floor excellence initiatives across manufacturing operations, including Lean Management Systems, Daily Management, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, 5S, Visual Management, Problem Solving, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Develop organizational capability in Lean leadership, continuous improvement methodologies, and operational excellence practices through coaching, facilitation, mentoring, and training.
• Own the manufacturing digital transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment between operational priorities, technology investments, and business objectives.
• Lead the deployment, governance, adoption, optimization, and continuous improvement of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) across manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Automation, IT/OT, Process Technology, Maintenance & Reliability, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and Finance to integrate digital solutions that improve visibility, decision-making, process control, and operational performance.
• Drive the application of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), digital manufacturing technologies, and advanced process control solutions to improve operational effectiveness, process stability, asset utilization, and business outcomes.
• Establish performance measurement frameworks and executive reporting processes that enable data-driven decision making and transparent communication of portfolio performance.
• Use operational and business data to identify trends, improve process capability, reduce variability, increase reliability, and accelerate continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure improvement initiatives deliver measurable business value through disciplined tracking of operational, financial, and strategic outcomes.
• Foster a culture of accountability, data-driven decision making, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, operational excellence, digital transformation, program management, or related environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience deploying Lean Manufacturing, Lean Management Systems, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement programs within manufacturing organizations.
• Experience with Lean Management Systems and Daily Management practices.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement programs and managing multiple projects or initiatives within a structured governance framework.
• Experience supporting or leading digital manufacturing initiatives, operational technologies, automation, or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Experience with performance measurement systems, operational analytics, KPI development, and reporting tools.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing data, analytics, and operational performance metrics to drive business results.
• Proven ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Automation, and Information Technology organizations.
• Strong communication, executive presentation, facilitation, change management, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in chemical, process, batch, or continuous manufacturing environments.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience leading enterprise PMO, transformation, or operational excellence portfolios.
• Experience implementing or optimizing Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) in manufacturing environments.
• Experience with advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, advanced process control (APC), Industry 4.0 technologies, or digital manufacturing solutions.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar program management certification.
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline.

#LI-Hybrid

We understand that candidates will not meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

At Solenis, we understand that our greatest asset is our people. That is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits which include medical, dental, vision & 401K, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. So, if you are interested in working for a world-class company and enjoy solving complex challenges, whether in the lab or the field, consider joining our team.

Solenis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer, including Minorities / Women/ Veterans / Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Should you require assistance in applying to this opportunity, please reach out to Solenis Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@solenis.com

The expected compensation range for this position is between $123,690.00 and $181,412.00 plus discretionary bonuses. The exact compensation may vary based on your skills, experience and other factors permitted by law.