Operational Excellence Manager (m/f/d)

Knauf Group; Kitzingen (VGem); On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent contract

30 days vacation

Hybrid working

Career development

Relocation support

Wellness programs

Canteen/food services

Job summary

Knauf Group is seeking a seasoned professional to drive operational excellence across EMEA warehouse and intralogistics operations. You will define KPIs, governance, and a regional roadmap while leading Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.

The role involves coaching site leaders, sharing best practices, and ensuring data-driven decision making with transparency to senior leadership. The successful candidate will travel across EMEA, drive standard processes, and partner with global teams

Qualifications

• Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Extensive experience in warehouse operations and operational excellence in a regional/international environment.
• Proven Lean or Continuous Improvement leadership track record.
• Experience with warehouse optimization from concept to implementation; strong KPI knowledge; WMS experience is a plus.
• Strong communication skills, cross-cultural awareness, willingness to travel across EMEA.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence and standardisation across EMEA warehouse and intralogistics operations.
• Define and deploy the EMEA warehousing excellence roadmap with KPIs and governance.
• Lead Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives; perform audits and follow-up.
• Train and coach site leaders and CI teams; foster accountability and improvement culture.
• Drive transparency through performance reviews, benchmarking, and governance reporting.

Skills

Lean leadership

Stakeholder management

Data-driven

Education

Degree in Logistics/SCM/Industrial Engineering

Tools

WMS

Job description

Knauf stands for opportunity. This exciting role offers you the ideal opportunity to begin and further develop an impressive career within a values-driven culture.

As a global building materials manufacturer with around 43,500 employees in over 90 countries, we offer diverse opportunities to ambitious talent. We value every contribution and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment with the aim of developing sustainable solutions for a better future.

Gebr. Knauf KG is proud to be a part of the Knauf Group. With a long-standing tradition, and a growing international presence, we are seeking dedicated individuals to help us achieve our long-term vision.

Can you say ‘yes’?

• Is respectful and appreciative interaction within the team a given for you?

• Do you always put the customer at the center of your actions?

• Do you consider the future and upcoming generations in your actions?

• Do you strive for personal and professional growth?

What you'll do

• Drive operational excellence and standardisation across EMEA warehouse and intralogistics operations, ensuring alignment with Knauf’s global framework and supporting sustainable improvements in productivity, quality and safety

• Define and deploy the EMEA warehousing excellence roadmap by establishing standard processes, KPIs, governance structures and performance management systems in line with regional and global supply chain strategy

• Lead Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives across sites, using structured problem-solving approaches to identify optimisation potential, close performance gaps and ensure sustainable implementation through audits and follow-up

• Act as the regional catalyst for best practice sharing and capability building by training and coaching site leaders and local Continuous Improvement teams, while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement

• Drive transparency and decision‑making through performance reviews, benchmarking and stakeholder governance, aligning country, site and global stakeholders and reporting progress to senior leadership

Who you are

• Qualified with a degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering or a related field

• Bringing extensive experience in warehouse operations and operational excellence in a regional or international environment, with a proven track record in Lean or Continuous Improvement leadership

• Experienced in warehouse optimisation and assessment initiatives from concept design through implementation, with a strong understanding of warehouse processes, KPIs and performance management systems; experience with WMS is an advantage

• Skilled in Lean, Six Sigma and operational excellence methodologies, with a structured, data-driven and results‑oriented approach and a strong sense of ownership and accountability

• A strong communicator with cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively across diverse environments, fluent in stakeholder collaboration and willing to travel across EMEA regularly

What we offer you

We all shape our lives individually. As an employer, we play a significant role in the daily life of our employees and aim to support them with various offerings. This includes, among other things:

• Security: Permanent employment contract in a stable, successful family‑owned company (with attractive compensation in line with the collective agreement or above tariff)

• Flexibility: 30 days of vacation, (flexitime account) and a modern hybrid working culture with weekly home office days

• Career and professional development: Continuous learning and individual development opportunities with a wide range of seminars, webinars and e‑learning opportunities

• Corporate Benefits: Discounts on well‑known brands and reduced‑price employee purchases

• Bike leasing: Using tax advantages while promoting your own health

• Relocation support: Assistance with international relocation

• Fitness and health: Offers of active health promotion, company doctor, occupational health and safety, etc.

• Daily time savings: Short and convenient commutes thanks to ample parking, direct public transport access via the plant site (, and a shuttle service to our office in Kitzingen)

• Feel Welcome: Structured onboarding days as well as company and team events for a successful start and quick integration into the team

• Take a Break: Canteen with subsidized meals and a barista coffee bar for relaxing breaks

Knauf as an employer

Knauf is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of modern insulation materials, dry construction systems, plasters and accessories, external thermal insulation composite systems, paints, screeds, flooring systems as well as construction equipment and tools. With more than 300 production sites and sales organizations in over 90 countries, the Knauf Group is undoubtedly one of the big players on the world market.

The Knauf Group is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment, and we make all personnel decisions across all areas of our company based on experience, skills and integrity. We encourage applicants from all walks of life to apply for our positions, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, origin, religion and so forth.

Share our values and become part of the team to shape the future of Knauf together.