Head of Operational Excellence - IMEA

Maersk; Dubai; On-site; AED 440,000 - 551,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in logistics is seeking a Head of Operational Excellence for IMEA. This role involves translating global standards into actionable plans across diverse regions, leading operational excellence initiatives, and building capabilities within teams. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in Lean Six Sigma and a proven track record of executing strategies across complex environments. This position requires travel 50-75% of the time.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement in multi-country operations.
• Proven track record in operational execution across diverse cultures.
• Strong influencing skills across senior leaders and frontline teams.

Responsibilities

• Translate global frameworks into actionable regional plans.
• Lead key operational excellence tools and routines.
• Monitor KPI performance for data-informed decision making.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Continuous improvement

Influencing skills

Programme management

Data-driven decision making

Cultural transformation

Job description

Head of Operational Excellence IMEA - UAE Africa OR India

Shape the future of operations at Maersk across IMEA.

Maersk is on a bold journey to become the global integrator of logistics driving simplification integration and innovation in service of our customers. Central to this transformation is The Maersk Way (TMW) our global operating system for embedding excellence consistently across our operations.

The Role

As the Regional Head of Operational Excellence for IMEA you will:

• Translate global TMW frameworks into actionable locally relevant plans tailored to IMEAs regional complexity and diversity.
• Lead the deployment of key operational excellence tools and routines (e.g. daily management systems problem-solving visual management).
• Partner with senior regional leaders to facilitate planning performance reviews and robust governance.
• Act as an enterprise integrator and coach developing operational excellence capabilities at both the leadership and frontline levels.
• Lead and coordinate a matrixed team of OpEx experts and regional ambassadors to drive measurable business outcomes.
• Monitor maturity progression and KPI performance to enable data-informed decision-making and proactive interventions.
• Create a learning environment through structured training best practice sharing and feedback-driven improvement loops.
• Act as a key bridge between regional execution and central teams to continuously refine and evolve TMW.

What Youll Be Accountable For

• Successful deployment of TMW standards tools and practices across IMEA in alignment with global strategies and timelines.
• Capability building and cultural transformation across operations teams at all levels.
• Tangible improvement in KPIs related to customer experience reliability safety and cost.
• Leadership engagement alignment and sustained adoption of operational excellence practices.
• Regional contribution to Maersks global transformation and maturity journey.

What Were Looking For

• Significant experience in Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement within large complex and multi-country operations ideally across IMEA or similarly diverse regions.
• Proven track record of translating strategic vision into operational execution across cultures and geographies.
• Strong influencing skills across senior leaders and frontline teams in a matrixed fast-paced environment.
• Advanced programme management and facilitation expertise with comfort in ambiguity and change.
• Data-driven thinker with the ability to deliver both strategy and execution.
• Demonstrated success in developing people and embedding sustainable behavioural and cultural shifts.
• Travel between 50-75% of the time

Why Join Maersk

At Maersk were transforming global logistics with purpose and ambition. We believe lasting change is created by people who are passionate about better ways of working and empowered to make a real difference. This role puts you at the centre of operational excellence across one of our most dynamic regions IMEA.

If youre ready to lead transformation at scale drive impact through operational excellence and shape the way we work across IMEA we look forward to hearing from you.

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Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race colour gender sex age religion creed national origin ancestry citizenship marital status sexual orientation physical or mental disability medical condition pregnancy or parental leave veteran status gender identity genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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Required Experience:

Director