Operational Excellence (OpEx) Leader

Location: Home Office based anywhere within the European Union with travel up to 30%–50%Company: adapa groupReporting relationship: Reports to Head of Operational Excellence of adapa groupPosition OverviewThe Operational Excellence (OpEx) Leader is responsible for leading and coordinating continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives across adapa group’s manufacturing sites. Reporting to the Head of Operational Excellence, this role focuses on implementing lean methodologies, optimizing processes, and enhancing productivity to achieve best-in-class operational performance.The Operational Excellence Leader works closely with site managers and cross-functional teams to identify improvement opportunities and standardize best practices across all facilities. By fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, this role ensures that local operational initiatives align with the group’s OpEx roadmap and deliver measurable results.Key DeliverablesLead and coordinate lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement projects at multiple production sites (in line with the Operational Excellence roadmap) to improve productivity, product quality, and cost efficiency.Implement operational excellence initiatives (such as waste reduction and process optimization projects) across various plants to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Ensure each project delivers measurable improvements in throughput, waste reduction, and cost savings.Design, build, and operationalize Power BI dashboards and reports that provide real-time visibility of site and group KPIs (OEE, scrap, downtime, yield, cost). Translate data into clear, action-oriented narratives for shop-floor huddles, daily management, and leadership reviews.Define, monitor, and report on key operational performance indicators (KPIs) – including production efficiency, downtime, quality, and cost – to measure the impact of improvement initiatives. Provide regular updates and actionable insights to the Head of Operational Excellence and site leadership for ongoing improvement.Contribute to the creation and standardization of best practices, processes, and procedures across manufacturing sites to ensure consistency in operations and product quality. Promote knowledge-sharing and continuous learning across site teams.Facilitate the delivery of training on operational excellence methodologies and tools (e.g., Lean principles, Six Sigma techniques) at the site level. Build internal capabilities by mentoring and coaching site teams in continuous improvement skills.Key ResponsibilitiesOpEx Strategy Alignment: Support the implementation of the group-wide Operational Excellence strategy and roadmap at the site level. Ensure that all local improvement projects are aligned with the company’s OpEx objectives and lean/continuous improvement principles.Process Improvement: Lead the execution of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives at assigned manufacturing sites to eliminate waste and optimize production processes. Foster a culture of problem-solving, accountability, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with local plant teams and cross-functional teams (Production, Quality, Maintenance, etc.) to implement improvements and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Ensure OpEx initiatives are integrated into daily operations and embraced across teams.Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with site leadership and team members to drive engagement and support for operational excellence projects. Communicate the vision, progress, and results of OpEx initiatives effectively to all stakeholders, securing buy-in and participation.Performance Metrics: Track and analyze KPIs related to productivity, quality, downtime, and cost for each improvement initiative. Use data-driven insights to identify further opportunities and ensure that achieved gains are sustained. Provide regular performance reports and recommendations to the Head of Operational Excellence and site management.Savings Initiatives: Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency gains, and waste elimination in collaboration with site teams. Lead or support projects aimed at capturing these savings and monitor the realized benefits.Reporting: Provide regular updates to the Head of Operational Excellence on project progress, successes, and challenges. Highlight achieved improvements, escalate any issues or roadblocks, and recommend actions or resources needed to meet OpEx goals.Training and Development: Coach and train site personnel in operational excellence tools and methodologies. Organize workshops, kaizen events, and hands-on training sessions to build local expertise and instill a mindset of continuous improvement among employees.Change Management: Guide and support teams through changes resulting from improvement initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and buy-in at all levels. Champion a culture of excellence and adaptability, helping employees embrace new processes and ongoing improvement efforts.Data & Analytics (Power BI):Own the end-to-end Power BI lifecycle (data sourcing, Power Query/ETL, data modeling with star schema, DAX measures, report design, deployment in Power BI Service).Establish KPI definitions and governance (calculation logic, data quality checks, version control, row-level security, workspace standards).Build role-specific, decision-ready views (operator tier boards, area leader views, plant manager packs, executive scorecards) to support tiered daily management and monthly performance reviews.Run data storytelling: convert complex analyses into simple visuals and narratives that drive action (root-cause, Pareto, trend vs. target, control charts).Upskill site teams on Power BI self-service and ensure sustainability of dashboards post-deployment.QualificationsEducation: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Data/Analytics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.Experience: 5+ years in a manufacturing or operations environment, including hands-on experience in operational excellence/continuous improvement roles. Proven track record of leading or facilitating Lean/CI projects at plant level.Operational Excellence Expertise: Strong knowledge of methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred (Black Belt a plus).Power BI & Analytics: Proven experience designing and deploying enterprise-grade Power BI solutions. Demonstrated ability to translate dashboards into compelling storytelling and actionable insights for Operational Excellence (shop-floor to executive level).Experience with Power BI Service administration (workspaces, RLS, deployment pipelines) and data governance; familiarity with SQL and/or Azure data stack (e.g., Data Lake, Synapse) is a plus.Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and develop actionable insights to drive improvement.Communication & Stakeholder Management: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels (from shop-floor operators to senior management).Project Management: Solid project management skills, with a history of successfully managing improvement initiatives through to completion on time and within budget.Agility: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive change in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Adaptable and resilient when facing challenges.Language Skills: Fluent English (written and verbal) required; additional European languages advantageous.Mindset: High-energy, results-driven, and proactive with a passion for operational excellence and innovation.