The Shop Floor, Top Floor Talk Show: Casual Convos with Manufacturing Pros
Manufacturing leaders face daily challenges—from quality pressures to efficiency demands. This show brings real conversations from those who've solved these problems.
But behind every high-performing plant are leaders solving big problems with innovative strategies, transformative technologies, and counter-intuitive approaches that challenge the status quo.
In each episode, you'll hear candid conversations with manufacturing professionals sharing their unique perspectives on top-of-mind topics and actionable advice you can apply immediately.
Walk away with actionable ideas and new perspectives on continuous improvement, from people who truly understand your daily challenges.
The Shop Floor, Top Floor Talk Show: Casual Convos with Manufacturing Pros
Operational Excellence - It's a Mindset, Not a Project
In this episode of Shop Floor, Top Floor Talk Show, host Josh Santo sits down with Rajeev Seth, Director of Operational Excellence and Asset Reliability at Mondelez International. Together, they dive into the real meaning of operational excellence on the shop floor, moving beyond checking dashboards and running special projects. Rajeev shares how true excellence starts with a clear purpose and a mindset that ties daily work to culture, leadership behavior, and engagement at every level.
Rajeev explains why operational excellence must reach across all functions and up and down the organization. He breaks down the difference between firefighting and real problem solving, showing why consistent leadership, trust, and clear KPIs matter. Rajeev also shares practical ways to spot when teams slip into reactive habits and how leaders can build habits that drive prevention and continuous improvement.
Looking ahead, Rajeev discusses how automation and machine learning are changing the landscape. He explains how technology helps lock down process variation, freeing teams to spend more time on meaningful problem solving and less on repetitive fixes. The conversation offers grounded advice for leaders aiming to build lasting improvement, not just quick fixes.
