Vice President of Operational Excellence

Role overview

The Vice President of Operational Excellence is a senior executive role focused on strengthening the company’s operational management framework and driving ongoing performance improvements. This leader owns the operational excellence agenda end to end, including business process reengineering, lean transformation, and cross-functional productivity initiatives.

The position is centered on building standardized, digital-first, and continuous-improvement-led operating practices that improve cost efficiency, elevate quality, and increase organizational effectiveness. The objective is to support the company’s long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth.

Operational excellence strategy

Set the enterprise-wide operational excellence vision and define the medium- and long-term improvement roadmap. Lead the shift from an experience-based operating style to a structured, process-driven, and data-informed management model. Ensure the strategy stays tightly aligned with overall business goals.

Process improvement and lean management

Own the optimization and redesign of core business processes. Champion continuous improvement methods such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen. Remove inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve productivity, quality, and delivery performance.

Cost control and efficiency

Create and scale a company-wide mechanism for cost optimization. Improve resource allocation and operating efficiency across the business. Drive sustained reductions in operational expense while improving margins and asset utilization.

Quality systems and standardization

Build consistent operational standards and a robust quality management system. Institutionalize SOPs and ensure best practices can be repeated across teams and functions. Strengthen customer satisfaction and improve stability in delivery outcomes.

Digital operations and analytics

Lead the adoption of digital operational tools and platforms, including ERP, MES, and BI systems. Define operational KPIs and create business analysis routines that support informed decision-making and continuous improvement through data.

Cross-functional collaboration and transformation

Work closely with teams across Production, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and HR to improve end-to-end performance. Establish an enterprise-level Operational PMO or Operational Excellence Office. Drive major transformation programs and strategic operating initiatives.

Leadership and culture building

Develop and lead a strong operational excellence team. Build capability in lean management and continuous improvement across the organization. Encourage a company-wide culture where operational excellence is a shared responsibility.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required. An MBA and Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt certification are preferred.

Applicants should bring more than 20 years of experience in operations management, process optimization, or continuous improvement, including at least 15 years in senior leadership roles. The ideal candidate has a proven history of creating and embedding operational excellence systems in large organizations.

Core competencies

The role calls for strong expertise in operational system design, process improvement, lean practices, cost optimization, cross-functional leadership, change management, executive influence, and organizational leadership.

Preferred background

Experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or large-scale service environments is preferred. Exposure to global operations or multi-regional management is an advantage, as is experience with digital transformation or smart manufacturing initiatives. Prior responsibility for an enterprise PMO or operations transformation office is also preferred.