Lean Director (Lean Operating System)

WESCO

Urbandale, IA

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JOB DETAILS

SKILLS

Best Practices, Business Administration, Business Operations, Business Transformation, Business-to-Business (B2B), Certified ScrumMaster, Change Management, Coaching, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Distribution Services, Establish Priorities, Finance, Fortune 500 Customers, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Logistics, Mentoring, Needs Assessment, Operating Systems, Operational Measurement, Performance Management, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Productivity Management, Project Management Professional (PMP), Project/Program Management, Reporting Dashboards, Six Sigma Black Belt, Storytelling, Strategic Planning, Supply Chain, Team Lead/Manager, Willing to Travel

LOCATION

Urbandale, IA

POSTED

14 days ago

As the Director - Lean, you will lead the Lean Operating System (LOS), driving strategy, capability development, cultural transformation, and measurable business results across the enterprise. Partnering with executive leadership, you will advance goal deployment, daily management, problem-solving, and Lean maturity initiatives aligned to business objectives and sustainable operational outcomes. Through coaching, mentoring, and certification programs, you will build organizational capability and develop leaders capable of owning and expanding Lean practices within their organizations. You will oversee the evolution of the LOS, promote accountability, strengthen executive alignment, and ensure Lean initiatives deliver meaningful business impact. Leading a high-performing Lean team, you will drive enterprise transformation by translating strategy into action, influencing stakeholders, and establishing the communication and operating rhythms needed to sustain change.

Responsibilities:

+ Leads, develops, and provides tactical and strategic direction to a team of Lean leaders and practitioners responsible for deploying, sustaining, governing, and continuously evolving the enterprise Lean Operating System (LOS) to achieve strategic objectives and measurable business results.

+ Functions as the senior Lean leader and enterprise owner of the Lean Operating System, establishing strategy, governance, and execution approaches that align with business objectives, support long-term transformation efforts, and deliver measurable operational and financial outcomes.

+ Partners with executive leadership teams to identify priorities, establish roadmaps, and execute Lean strategies across business units, regions, and functions, leveraging Lean maturity assessments and Shingo principles to drive continuous improvement, capability growth, and leader accountability for results.

+ Facilitates executive-level goal deployment, daily management, and problem-solving processes, aligning organizational priorities, strengthening leadership ownership, and accelerating achievement of strategic objectives.

+ Leads enterprise-wide Lean transformation initiatives and strategic events, deploying appropriate Lean methodologies, resources, and tools to solve complex business challenges, improve performance, and embed sustainable improvements within existing business operations.

+ Builds organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, training, and certification of Lean practitioners and leaders, developing self-sufficient continuous improvement capabilities and ensuring business leaders own and sustain Lean practices within their areas of responsibility.

+ Develops Lean program managers, facilitators, and application specialists through hands-on leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development, enabling the team to influence outcomes while reinforcing accountability within the business.

+ Utilizes customer, operational, and financial data to identify opportunities, guide decision-making, measure progress, and ensure Lean initiatives are directly connected to enterprise objectives and business outcomes.

+ Serves as a trusted advisor to senior executives, providing regular updates, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, fostering alignment across Operations, Commercial, Finance, and other key business functions, and promoting ownership of Lean outcomes at the leadership level.

+ Champions a culture of continuous improvement by promoting innovative thinking, sharing best practices, and driving enterprise adoption through effective Lean communications, storytelling, visibility tools, dashboards, and engagement strategies.

+ Promotes and advances the organization's Lean maturity journey by assessing current-state capabilities, identifying improvement opportunities, and translating maturity findings into actionable year-over-year transformation plans that strengthen organizational capability and business performance.

+ Partners across Operations, Commercial, Finance, HR, IT, and EPMO functions to integrate Lean principles into enterprise programs, operating models, and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications:

+ Bachelors Degree - Engineering, Logistics, Technical required; MBA preferred

+ PMP, Change Management or Scrum Master certifications preferred

+ 10 years experience of extensive LEAN leadership in a medium or large company

+ 5 years experience managing a team

+ 5 years required of managing large-scale strategic initiatives

+ Must be a seasoned Lean Expert or 6 Sigma Black Belt

+ Demonstrates the ability to formulate and communicate a clear vision and sense of direction while motivating others to achieve shared goals

+ Effectively communicates information through verbal and written channels to ensure understanding and alignment

+ Organizes and facilitates cross functional teams through structured workshops, strategic sessions, Kaizens, and problem solving activities

+ Leads change initiatives by communicating the need for change, enabling successful adoption, and overcoming resistance

+ Coaches individuals to develop their skills and capabilities in support of agreed upon objectives.

+ Identifies training needs and ensures effective training delivery, execution, and follow up

+ Experience with coordinating and optimizing lean tools (visualization, etc.) preferred

+ Ability to travel 20% - 50%

#LI-RA1

At Wesco, we build, connect, power and protect the world. As a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, we create a world that you can depend on.

Our Company’s greatest asset is our people. Wesco is committed to fostering a workplace where every individual is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We promote a culture that is grounded in teamwork and respect. With a workforce of over 20,000 people worldwide, we embrace the unique perspectives each person brings. Through comprehensive benefits (https://www.wesco.com/us/en/our-company/careers/work-at-wesco.html#benefits) and active community engagement, we create an environment where every team member has the opportunity to thrive.

Learn more about Working at Wesco here (https://www.wesco.com/us/en/our-company/careers/work-at-wesco.html) and apply online today!

Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company.

_Wesco International, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Wesco”) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. US applicants only, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer._

_Los Angeles Unincorporated County Candidates Only: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act._

_This posting is for a current, active vacancy intended for immediate hire._

About the Company

WESCO

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