Director of Operational Excellence

About the role

Lead Manufacturing Excellence

We are seeking a Director of Operational Excellence to drive transformative manufacturing performance across a global network of operations. This strategic leadership role will be responsible for developing and executing operational excellence initiatives that deliver world-class results in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

The ideal candidate is a proven manufacturing leader with deep expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, digital transformation, and change management, as well as experience leading improvement efforts across multiple countries and cultures.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a global operational excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Establish and standardize manufacturing processes, systems, and performance metrics across all locations.
• Drive the deployment of operational excellence frameworks and best practices throughout the organization.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize operational performance.
• Implement operational excellence maturity assessments and roadmap development across sites.

Performance Management

• Establish governance and accountability for key manufacturing performance indicators, including:
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Throughput
• Scrap and waste reduction
• Cost per unit
• Customer satisfaction
• Drive benchmarking efforts and facilitate the sharing of best practices across regions and facilities.

Digital Transformation

• Lead the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies and digital manufacturing solutions, including implementation of the Bosch Production System.
• Utilize real-time data analytics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies to improve operational effectiveness.
• Partner with technology teams to enhance visibility and decision-making capabilities throughout the operation.

Change Management & Leadership Development

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Coach and develop plant leadership teams, continuous improvement practitioners, and key stakeholders.
• Lead large-scale transformation initiatives that drive sustainable organizational change.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, HR, Finance, and IT teams to align and execute improvement initiatives.
• Ensure operational excellence efforts support broader business objectives and customer expectations.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and operational standards across multiple countries and regions.
• Support risk mitigation through robust operational processes and governance practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading operational excellence, continuous improvement, or business transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site and multi-country manufacturing operations.
• Proven expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Strong analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities, with experience influencing senior leaders and frontline teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
• Experience implementing Shingo, TPM, or similar operational excellence frameworks.
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 technologies, digital manufacturing systems, automation, and advanced analytics.
• Experience leading large-scale organizational and cultural transformation initiatives.