Senior Operational Excellence Manager LPT Americas

Responsibilities / Tasks

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we’re not just building equipment, we’re building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 8 + years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

• Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $140,000 - $160,000 per year.  GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not guaranteed compensation or salary.  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as a discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

The Senior Operational Excellence Manager – LPT Americas holds a pivotal leadership role in driving alignment, consistency, and continuous improvement across the region. In this strategic and hands-on position, you will collaborate closely with regional business leaders, divisional stakeholders, and global functional teams to implement operational best practices, streamline processes, and enhance delivery performance throughout North, Central, and South America.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of leading transformation initiatives, influencing cross-functional teams, and fostering a culture of operational excellence. This role requires up to 60% travel across the Americas to support implementation, ensure alignment, and strengthen collaboration throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Harmonization & Performance Alignment

• Lead the standardization of operational tools, cost models, and reporting structures across the Americas (e.g., Mission30 Engineering, Design-to-Cost).
• Identify and implement localization needs and knowledge transfer from global Centers of Competence.
• Establish unified approaches to project execution, production integration, and business operations across all clusters.
• Channel feedback and improvement opportunities from local markets back into global operations to enhance regional competitiveness.

2. Strategic Enablement & Market Execution

• Partner with the Strategy & Business Development Manager and peer Directors of Operational Excellence across BUs to translate strategic plans into operational frameworks.
• Support the alignment and optimization of go-to-market strategies, customer engagement, and delivery models across the region.

3. Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration

• Act as the primary liaison between the Americas region and Global Production, Procurement, Engineering/Project Management Excellence, and Technology Competence Centers.
• Drive initiatives to localize global products, establish shared service platforms, or develop regional assembly capabilities.

4. Transformation & Capability Building

• Lead regional transformation programs focused on efficiency, speed-to-market, cost-to-serve, and customer satisfaction.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement through training, coaching, and capability-building initiatives across teams.

Key Interfaces

• Strategy, Business Development & Sustainability – Americas: Ensure operational alignment with market and business strategy.
• Country MDs & Divisional Representatives – Americas: Coordinate operational priorities across North, Central, and Sout