Head of Operational Excellence

Role Overview

This leadership role holds national accountability for operational excellence and continuous improvement across a complex supply chain network made up of multiple sites. The position is designed to lift performance across manufacturing, logistics, quality, safety, and service by turning established global methods into practical local execution.

You will guide a team focused on building lasting capability, so improvements are embedded into everyday operations rather than delivered as short-term wins. The role requires someone who can align people, process, leadership priorities, and technology to strategy at a national level.

What You Will Lead

• National deployment, maturity, and governance of operational excellence and continuous improvement across all sites and Southbank HQ-based teams.
• Improvement programs that produce measurable gains in quality, cost, safety, and service.
• Capability building through structured frameworks, coaching standards, and development pathways that strengthen CI skills across the network.
• Collaboration with manufacturing, logistics, and functional leaders to set priorities, remove obstacles, and share accountability for results.
• Connection with global operational excellence teams to bring in tools, frameworks, and best practices for effective rollout in Australia.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position means creating a disciplined performance culture, strengthening the organisation’s CI capability, and delivering sustained improvements across a multi-site supply chain environment. The role calls for a leader who can translate complex issues into clear action and influence outcomes through data, credibility, and practical execution.

About You

• You bring substantial leadership experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or operational excellence within complex multi-site settings, including a track record of transformation.
• You have deep, hands-on experience applying CI approaches such as Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Value Stream Mapping.
• You are skilled at leading and developing technical or capability-focused teams so that improvement capability lasts beyond a single project.
• You can engage and influence senior stakeholders across site, regional, and global levels using clear communication and evidence-based insight.
• You work well in fast-moving environments and stay resilient and adaptable when solving complicated operational problems.

Why Asahi Beverages

Asahi Beverages describes itself as a business built around more than drinks, creating moments of connection, celebration, and enjoyment. The company offers a diverse portfolio of well-known beverage brands, a strong focus on quality, and a culture of innovation. With its headquarters in Melbourne and operations across Australia and New Zealand, it aims to develop talent and reward ambition.