Operational Excellence Lead (Lean / 8D)

Smarterminds; Luik; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

Training budget

End-of-year bonus

International exposure

Job summary

Smarterminds is hiring an Operational Excellence Lead for a global leader in the defence and aerospace sector. The role focuses on leading a tiger team to cut problem-response times and implement root-cause solutions across two industrial sites in Belgium.

Requirements include 5+ years in Lean on the shop floor and 5+ years in 8D problem solving, plus a relevant engineering degree and fluency in French and English. Belgian-based or willing to relocate; EU nationality is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years leading hands-on Lean projects on the shop floor.
• Minimum 5 years in 8D problem solving and leading multidisciplinary teams on complex projects.
• Proven record of driving cultural and structural change in an organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams through Lean and 8D root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Run a tiger team that tackles product, process and customer issues fast.
• Help roll out new ways of working (e.g. S&OP) and break down silos between departments.
• Turn audit and performance data into trend analyses and clear action plans.
• Champion quality standards and a 'we can do it' problem-solving mindset.

Skills

Lean leadership

8D problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Six Sigma

French language

English language

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

When a problem hits the shop floor, do you want to be the one who walks in, gathers the right people and fixes it for good?

Smarterminds is hiring an Operational Excellence Lead for a global leader in the defence and aerospace sector. Its Belgian sites design and build critical systems and equipment for armed forces, aerospace and transport customers, and activity is growing fast.

Your mission: make two industrial sites faster, leaner and more reliable. You will lead a rapid-response "tiger team", aim to cut problem-response times by 50% or more, and leave behind a culture where problems are solved at the root.

What you will do

• Lead multidisciplinary teams through Lean and 8D root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Run a tiger team that tackles product, process and customer issues fast
• Help roll out new ways of working (e.g. S&OP) and break down silos between departments
• Turn audit and performance data into trend analyses and clear action plans
• Champion quality standards and a "we can do it" problem-solving mindset

About you

• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading hands-on Lean projects on the shop floor
• Minimum 5 years of experience in 8D problem solving and leading multidisciplinary teams on complex projects
• Proven record of driving cultural and structural change in an organisation
• Background in aerospace, defence, automotive or a similar industrial sector
• Degree in engineering (electro-mechanical a plus), quality, operations or business;
• Six Sigma is a plus
• Fluent French and English
• EU nationality required
• Based in Belgium or willing to relocate to Belgium

What we offer

• International exposure on major, world-class programmes
• Competitive salary with full Belgian social security benefits
• Medical insurance + extra DKV global coverage
• Training budget for certifications and continuous development
• Modern, supportive leadership focused on growth and autonomy
• End-of-year bonus tied to company success