Vice President of Operational Excellence

Role overview

This executive role leads the organization’s operational excellence agenda end to end. The position is accountable for building and evolving the operating model, improving business processes, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. The goal is to strengthen efficiency, quality, cost performance, and long-term competitiveness through standardized and data-led ways of working.

Operational excellence strategy

You will define the company’s operational excellence vision and translate it into a practical multi-year improvement roadmap. A key part of the job is shifting the organization from an experience-based approach to one that is structured, process-driven, standardized, and grounded in data. The strategy must stay closely aligned with broader business priorities.

Process redesign and lean improvement

The role requires leadership of business process reengineering across core operations. You will introduce and scale improvement methods such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen, with a focus on removing waste, improving throughput, raising quality, and improving delivery performance.

Cost management and operational efficiency

You will create and maintain a company-wide mechanism for cost optimization. This includes improving resource allocation, raising asset utilization, and consistently lowering operating costs while supporting stronger margins and more efficient execution.

Standards, quality, and repeatability

The position is responsible for creating unified operating standards and strengthening the quality management system. You will promote SOP adoption, replicate proven best practices across the business, and improve customer satisfaction and delivery consistency.

Digital operations and performance analytics

You will help implement digital operating tools and platforms such as ERP, MES, and BI systems. The role also includes defining meaningful KPIs, building business analysis routines, and using performance data to guide decisions and continuous improvement efforts.

Cross-functional leadership and transformation

This leader will coordinate improvements across Production, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and HR. The role may also include establishing an Operational PMO or Operational Excellence Office to manage major transformation initiatives and strategic improvement projects.

Team development and culture building

You will build and lead a strong operational excellence team, develop internal talent in lean and continuous improvement practices, and help create a company-wide culture where employees actively contribute to better ways of working.

Qualifications

A 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.

The ideal candidate brings more than 20 years of experience in operations management, process optimization, or continuous improvement, including at least 15 years in senior leadership roles. A proven record of building operational excellence systems in large organizations is essential.

Preferred background

Experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or large-scale services is an advantage. Additional value is given to candidates with exposure to global or multi-region operations, digital transformation, smart manufacturing, or enterprise-level PMO and operations transformation leadership.

Core competencies

The role calls for strong capability in operating model design, process optimization, lean improvement, cost control, cross-functional leadership, change management, executive influence, and organizational alignment.