Vice President Operational Excellence

LSG Sky Chefs, a part of LSG Group is the world’s leading provider of end-to-end on-board products and services.

Mission Statement

Within LSG as a PE-backed company, the focus of the role is two-fold: First, is to deliver a strategic operational transformation program under the COO with a significant EBITDA uplift. Second, is to build an Operational Excellence framework to sustain value creation through Continuous Improvement based competencies supported by strong analytical assessments of operational performance and efficiency opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Strategy: In line with the overall strategic direction of the company, develop and implement the Operations Strategy. Establish long and medium-term goals and objectives for the Operations organization and develop OpEx programs accordingly.

• Operations Performance Reporting and Analytics: Envision, develop and maintain an Operations Performance Scorecard with clear KPIs and targets aligned with customer expectations and approach to catering performance. Monitor performance and execute performance management process to drive sustainable improvement through data analytics.
• CapEx Pipeline: Develop and execute the Capital Expenditure (CapEx) governance within Operations, managing the pipeline from idea to approval/capital allocation (based on the stage-gate process), with a strong focus on value creation and financial impact.
• Continuous Improvement Pipeline/Program: Manage a pipeline of OpEx Initiatives, ensuring that projects are driven by a financial business case and/or customer satisfaction. Monitor project execution to ensure progress, mitigate risks and capture value.
• Digital, Automation & Innovation: Develop and manage a pipeline of operational and strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency. Create a long-term vision for the “factory of the future,” incorporating advanced technologies and innovative solutions.
• Process Improvement and Cost Reduction Execution: Execute select initiatives to improve process efficiency and reduce costs, focusing on direct and indirect labor, and material efficiency. Identify and implement best practices, standardize processes, disseminate high impact projects across the manufacturing network.
• Strategic Fleet Planning: Analyze capacity and capability requirements of last-mile fleet of trucks, considering external factors (e.g., electrification) and pass requirements to Strategic Infrastructure team for execution.
• OpEx Team Development and Leadership: Develop and lead the OpEx team, ensuring central and local capability and capacity in line with Operations Strategy. Build a high-performing team around collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Act as an OpEx

Centre of Excellence.

• Customer OpEx Interface: Collaborate with LSG commercial teams and customers on joint OpEx initiatives. Manage communication of operations strategic direction, goals, objectives, and OpEx programs facing the customer.
• Change Management and Stakeholder Collaboration: Drive change across central functions and local operations teams to facilitate end to end value creation. Collaborate with senior manufacturing leadership to embed and sustain new ways of working.

Leadership

• Ensure that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed and directed
• Collaborate with peers both within and outside the Operations organizations; support the Executive leadership team with strategic decisions and recommendations
• Guide, motivate and develop the directly and indirectly subordinate employees
• Plan, implement and control the cost and project budget in the area of responsibility; initiate and steer corrective actions in case of deviations
• Overall EBITDA
• All relevant operational performance metrics:
• CSC Delay performance, Flight Attendant Comments (FACs), Net Promoter Score, Food Safety scores, Injury and Damage performance
• Project performance against budget
• Direct and indirect cost savings
• Productivity improvements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• 15+ years of experience in operations management, with at least 10 years leading teams in a production/manufacturing environment.

• Airline Catering, Food processing, or Consumer goods industry experience desired.

• Experience in working for PE-owned companies is a plus.

• Proven record of accomplishment of leading and delivering successful operational transformation programs in complex organizational environments.

• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and techniques, such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, etc.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to drive decision-making.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills from shop floor to boardroom.

• Ability to travel extensively to various manufacturing facilities across the United States.

• Certifications in Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt or Master Black Belt) or TPM desired.

Candidate must be willing to relocate to Irving, TX or be local in the DFW/Metroplex area.

SALARY: The starting base pay for this position ranges from $170,000-$205,000 (lowest geographic market). Base pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to base pay, this role includes a significant executive incentive plan and other financial benefits as part of the total compensation package. This role is eligible to participate in a full range of medical and wellness benefits on day one of employment.