Head of Operational Excellence

About the Role

The Freiburg Institut is seeking a Head of Operational Excellence for Osypka GmbH based in Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This key position involves building and embedding a Lean culture from the ground up at the company's German site, creating lasting impact across the organization. The role demands an active presence on the shopfloor, coaching team leaders, facilitating management boards at various hierarchical levels, and driving continuous improvement projects until teams operate independently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, roll out, and culturally embed Lean principles and shopfloor management across all levels.
• Moderate Tiered Daily Management (TDM) across three tiers and provide targeted coaching to team leaders.
• Organize, moderate, and document regular Gemba Walks autonomously.
• Develop a Continuous Improvement (CI) roadmap and initiate projects involving Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen, 5S, and PDCA cycles.
• Set up a KPI cascade and strategic performance tracking focusing on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), scrap rates, and delivery reliability.
• Institute and mentor the Lean Six Sigma program internally as a trainer.
• Implement Project Management Office (PMO) governance and Stage-Gate processes; actively engage in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and CI projects.
• Ensure compliance with the Quality Management System (QMS) and train direct reports in QMS requirements.

Qualifications

• Completed Master's degree (MSc) or PhD in an engineering discipline.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt; Black Belt preferred or equivalent training.
• Several years of professional experience in MedTech or other regulated industries such as pharmaceutical or aerospace sectors.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in building and rolling out operational excellence programs and shopfloor management.
• Proficient in data analytics, value stream mapping, and performance metrics.
• Strong coaching and training capabilities.
• Hands-on mindset characterized by directness, strong implementation skills, and a results-driven approach.

Benefits

• Work for a values-driven company with heart and vision.
• Secure and forward-looking employment at one of the leading mid-sized MedTech companies.
• Comprehensive training programs to foster your professional and personal development, supporting career advancement to the next level.
• Competitive performance-based compensation and a wide range of benefits including full coverage of Hansefit fitness membership, JobRad bike leasing, employee lounge with dining options, and 30 days of paid vacation.
• An innovation-focused culture that encourages and appreciates your ideas and contributions.