Director, NA Operational Excellence

Where Conviviality is at work.

Pernod Ricard is a global premium international champagnes and spirits company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, The Glenlivet®, Beefeater and Malfy Gins, and a leading portfolio of American whiskey brands including Jefferson’s, Rabbit Hole, TX, Smooth Ambler and Skrewball™ whiskey.

Working at Pernod Ricard is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialité…it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard.

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business!

The salary range for this role, based in Fort Smith, is $143,300.00 to $179,100.00. The range may vary if the role is outside of this location.  Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position. 

Position Summary:

The Director, North American Operational Excellence will be responsible for influencing at all levels within and beyond the Operations organization to drive our North American Operations change roadmap. This role will drive operational performance by establishing a continuous improvement culture that is focused on waste elimination, process optimization, capability building and the relentless engagement of team members to take accountability for improvements and the sustainability of the change roadmap. The Director, North American Operational Excellence will be responsible for supporting the change roadmap from the ground up, including identifying needs, rolling out the program by training all levels of employees, tracking KPIs and more.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish the North American Operations change roadmap strategic direction, priorities and objectives to deliver operational excellence through the implementation of management systems, KPIs, scorecard and tracking progress towards goals and reporting of results.
• Ensure the roadmap is consistently delivered across multiple sites (7) and groups within organization.
• Identify tools to be implemented that best fit the objectives and opportunities to meet roadmap targets and drive standardization across the region.
• Define and implement data collection systems to ensure consistent reporting of KPIs and results from a single source.
• Train, coach, and mentor team members at all levels of the organization on the tools and methods to ensure the sustainability of the program.
• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing across the organization.
• Proactively identify and mitigate roadblocks.
• Design and facilitate mini transformations, Kaizens, training, and collaboration workshops.
• A hands-on leader prepared to spend time in the facilities observing and driving change, including identifying improvement needs, providing hands-on training to all staff levels and tracking the success of the program.
• Work with a variety of data sources, strong analytical and problem-solving skills and high level of attention to detail.
• Other duties as assigned. Ensure compliance of Occupational Health & Safety Act (section 25, 26, 27, and 28) per Hiram Walker & Son’s Ltd Policy- Management-Supervision-Worker Safety Responsibilities.
• Ensure that all aspects of the ISO 18001, 9001, 2200, 14001 programs are delivered on time.
• Ensure timely corrective action on all observations and non-conformances.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Experience working with TPM or WCM with examples of implemented practices. 
• Experience in a large, sophisticated, tier one manufacturing operation that is complex, multi-location. CPG background is preferred. 
• The ability to manage and improve present-day operations while, at the same time, planning the long-term strategy.
• Very strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills with a variety of cross-functional teams at all levels of the organization. 
• Outstanding project leadership and organizational skills.
• Experience in analyzing complex business and financial requirements, and in helping an organization successfully implement and transition through change.
• Proven people leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Exceptional change management skills adopting and implementing tools and programs

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

Preferred:

• Masters, Business Administration

Experience:

Required:

• 5 to 10 years’ experience leading in a Manufacturing environment, preferable in consumer-packaged goods (CPG)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience leading an operational excellence program (Lean Six Sigma) in a Manufacturing environment
• Experience in developing and implementing transformational change
   

Preferred:

• 10 years’ operational management experience 

Financial Responsibility:

• Overall managerial control and decision-making responsibility.
• Determines and changes priorities in line with financial, business and organizational objectives.

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date:

2026-06-29

When you join Pernod Ricard, you’ll experience a workplace that is rich in heritage, driven by our iconic brands and a long-standing commitment to sustainability, safety, and giving back to the people and communities where we work. We know that happiness at work starts with that feeling of belonging you get from an inclusive culture where being uniquely you is celebrated. Our values are lived, they drive our behaviors, and it’s what brings our culture to life.

Our work philosophy celebrates the magic of human connection with the flexibility needed to provide one's most meaningful contribution. We offer a flexible work policy, with most of our positions offering a a hybrid option with flexibility to work remotely 2 days a week. As a global employer, we understand that not everyone’s working hours are the same, and we empower our employees to work the hours that make the most sense for them and their team’s schedules.

We offer employees great benefits and perks to toast to a life filled with support. Check out PRUSABenefits.com for details.

This recruitment process uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to match applicant skills with role requirements and qualifications.

Pernod Ricard USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It employs qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience, and does not and will not, discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based upon actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service or any other classification protected by law. Offers will be subject to United States local terms.

Pernod Ricard USA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Pernod Ricard USA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. To request reasonable accommodation during the application process, contact us at [email protected].