Operational Excellence: Interviews
Example: “I am able to handle stress quite well because I know that it’s normal for operational excellence managers to be stressed at times. However, I try not to let the stress get to me too much. Instead, I take deep breaths and think about what my options are. Then, I choose the best option based on the information I have available. This helps me stay calm and focused during stressful situations.”
If you’re interested in becoming an operational excellence manager, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate these skills in an interview. Operational excellence interview questions will focus on your ability to improve processes, your knowledge of quality control tools, and your experience leading teams.
To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample operational excellence interview questions and answers.
Example: “At my last company, we were able to reduce our production costs by 5% within six months of implementing lean manufacturing principles. We also reduced waste by 10%, which saved us $100,000 annually. I was responsible for training all employees on these principles, so everyone understood how to apply them to their daily tasks.”
Example: “I believe that conflict is an important part of any workplace because it allows us to discuss our differences and learn from each other. I would first try to understand both sides of the issue before making my own opinion known. If needed, I would encourage everyone involved in the conflict to meet one-on-one so they can talk about their concerns without interruption. After all parties feel heard, we can work together to find a solution.”
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample operational excellence specialist interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.
Example: “I believe it is important to always be open to making improvements to policies and procedures. However, I would only recommend changing them if there was a clear benefit to doing so. For example, in my last role, we had a policy where employees were not allowed to use their phones during work hours unless they were taking a break. After talking with some colleagues, I realized many people used their phones to take notes while working, which helped them remember information later. So, I recommended creating an exception to our phone policy so employees could use their phones to take notes during meetings.”
If you want to become an operational excellence specialist, you’ll need to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in an interview. The questions you’ll be asked will vary depending on the organization, but there are some common themes.
Example: “My desk is usually very neat with all my files sorted by client and project. I have a calendar where I keep track of deadlines and meetings, and I use an online task manager to stay on top of what I need to do each day. My computer screen has several windows open at once so I can multitask efficiently.”
Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding when it came to his projects. He would often call me at all hours of the day asking for updates on our progress. I tried my best to accommodate him but eventually told him that I couldn’t respond to his calls until after 5 p.m. He didn’t like hearing that, but he understood. After that, he only called me during business hours.”
I have worked for, been, and hired OpEx Leaders for a long time. I consider myself lucky to have been mentored by some of the best in this field thanks to the company I worked for most of my career (GE). As a disclaimer, I know there is a lot of detail associated with what I have outlined which I am more than happy to discuss further with you (again, connect with me and we will do just that).
After reading a burst of articles/posts/blogs about Lean, Kaizen, Continuous Improvement, Process Excellence, etc., one of the key elements is to have the right leader with the right skill base in place. Finding your next Operational Excellence Leader is an opportunity to reboot your program and the skillset and experience of this person are critical.
Operational Excellence has to be based on the fundamentals (see my previous article) and able to be executed at the capability of your company’s workforce. Operational Excellence is for every employee, not a select group who believes they have job security because of their skillset – they do not! This function is typically the first to go during layoffs and restructuring since they are typically categorized as an assessment in a centralized budget. Your OpEx Leader must have hands-on expertise and these four key traits with the ability to lead in the following:
Interview Questions of Top Designations
FAQ
What are the five basic elements of operational excellence?
- Fairness.
- Firmness.
- Consistency.
- Staff development.
- Leadership development.
What are the 6 pillars of operational excellence?
- Communicate a clear strategy. …
- Share goals and KPIs. …
- Use communication tools that reach your workforce. …
- Provide training opportunities. …
- Be open to feedback.
What is the best example for operational excellence?
