Senior Operational Excellence Partner (US)

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

Join us as a Senior Operational Excellence Partner, Supply Chain Americas. This is a hands-on individual contributor role for someone who lives in the operation, stays close to the floor, and takes personal ownership for finding issues, driving actions, and delivering measurable results. This person does not wait for perfect alignment or rely on formal authority-they build momentum through credibility, persistence, and execution.

Location: Phoenix, AZ., Charlotte, NC., Memphis, TN. Fort Worth, Clearfork, TX.

What will you be doing?

Operational Excellence:

• Spend meaningful time in the warehouse, side by side with frontline teams and site leaders, identifying waste, removing barriers, and executing improvements that raise productivity across receiving, picking, shipping, and inventory management.
• Build trust and credibility by showing up in the operation, understanding how work really gets done, and coaching teams through practical problem-solving and daily execution.
• Deploy S&N Operating System playbooks in the field and drive adoption through hands-on support, follow-up, and accountability for results.
• Own assigned improvement workstreams end to end-from diagnosis to implementation to sustainment-and refuse to let actions stall until benefits are delivered and embedded in the operation.
• Partner across functions to improve financial, service, and inventory performance, taking personal ownership for moving initiatives forward even when success depends on others.
• Chase issues to the source, lead root cause analysis on recurring defects and process breakdowns, and drive corrective actions with urgency until the problem is fully resolved.

Process Standardization:

• Observe work where it happens, then simplify, standardize, and strengthen SOPs across sites so teams can execute consistently and problems do not keep resurfacing.

Strategy and Operational Excellence Roadmap:

• Turn strategy into clear site-level execution by pushing priorities into action, following up relentlessly, and helping teams move from discussion to sustained operational change.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Use data to spot issues, prioritize actions, track follow-through, and confirm impact-while staying close enough to the floor to know when the numbers do not match reality.

Technology & Automation:

• Partner with IT and site teams to implement tools and automation that improve visibility, process execution, and labor planning, while helping teams adopt new ways of working.

What will you need to be successful?

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 5-8+ years of experience in a fast-paced warehouse, manufacturing, or last-mile environment, with a track record of personally leading and executing continuous improvement initiatives from idea to sustained results.
• Proven experience in last-mile operations is required.
• Experience in the medical device industry is required.
• Certifications: Lean Six Sigma certification, or equivalent, is required.
• Travel: Travel is required up to 50% of the time. When not traveling, you will be expected to work on-site at the local Supply Chain Americas warehouse.
  Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of WMS/ERP platforms (for example, SAP and Manhattan) and data analysis tools such as Minitab, SQL, or Excel.
• Soft Skills: Highly hands-on, action-oriented, and resilient, with the presence to work credibly on the warehouse floor, the persistence to chase issues down, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive execution without formal authority.
• Competencies: Demonstrated ability to coach, challenge, and support leaders and frontline teams while personally owning follow-up, removing roadblocks, and driving actions all the way to closure.
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement, lean methodologies, and root cause problem-solving techniques such as DMAIC, Kaizen, PDCA, and A3 problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, prioritize, and capture improvement opportunities that drive financial and operational performance through disciplined execution and a data-driven approach.
• Ability to turn playbooks and improvement frameworks into practical execution plans that teams can adopt and sustain.
• Strong bias for action, comfort working in ambiguity, and a proven track record of staying on issues until they are solved, actions are completed, and results are sustained.

You.Unlimited.

This is where you belong.

We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

Inclusion and Belonging - Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website.

Other reasons why you will love it here!

• Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Options, Tuition Reimbursement
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day
• Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program
• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship
• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!

#LI-ONSITE

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.