Operational Excellence Workstream Project Manager 80 – 100% (f/m/d)

Hitachi; Mannheim; On-site; EUR 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Energy Ltd in Zurich, Switzerland invites an Operational Excellence Workstream Project Manager to lead strategic improvement and transformation initiatives across functions and regions. You will drive planning through benefits realization, building integrated roadmaps and governance to deliver measurable productivity gains.

The role requires 5+ years in project management, strong stakeholder and change management, and fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in project or program management, operational excellence, business transformation, or continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects or transformation initiatives, ideally within a global organization.
• Strong project management capabilities, including planning, governance, resource coordination, risk management, execution, and performance tracking.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, Project Management, or comparable operational excellence and improvement methodologies is an advantage.
• Strong stakeholder and change management skills with the ability to create alignment and drive execution within a matrix organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate strategic priorities and performance insights into concrete actions.
• Excellent communication skills in English and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders across functions, regions, and organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic operational excellence and transformation initiatives within the Scale to Potential program across functions and regions
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, milestones, resources, and implementation roadmaps in collaboration with Operational Excellence leadership and key stakeholders
• Develop and maintain integrated workstream plans, track progress and KPIs, and ensure successful delivery against agreed commitments
• Identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies, driving timely decisions and corrective actions to keep initiatives on track
• Establish effective governance, reporting, and performance reviews while promoting standard processes, best practices, and lessons learned
• Drive stakeholder engagement and change management, supporting the successful adoption of new processes, tools, governance models, and ways of working
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and foster collaboration, accountability, and knowledge sharing across organizational and geographical boundaries
• Track benefits realization and business impact, ensuring initiatives contribute to productivity, scalability, execution excellence, digitalization, and sustainable performance improvements

Skills

Project management

Lean Six Sigma

Agile

Change management

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering/business/PM

Job description

Location:

Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Job ID:

R0149926

Date Posted:

2026-11-05

Company Name:

HITACHI ENERGY LTD

Profession (Job Category):

Project/Program Management

Job Schedule:

Full time

Remote:

No

Job Description:

The opportunity

Are you passionate about driving transformation, improving operational performance, and turning strategic priorities into tangible results?

We are looking for an Operational Excellence Workstream Project Manager to lead strategic improvement and transformation initiatives supporting our growth, scalability, productivity, and execution excellence ambitions.

In this role, you will work across functions, business units, and regions, bringing together diverse stakeholders to drive operational excellence initiatives from planning through implementation and benefits realization.

The position can be based at one of our locations in Europe.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead strategic operational excellence and transformation initiatives within the Scale to Potential program across functions and regions
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, milestones, resources, and implementation roadmaps in collaboration with Operational Excellence leadership and key stakeholders
• Develop and maintain integrated workstream plans, track progress and KPIs, and ensure successful delivery against agreed commitments
• Identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies, driving timely decisions and corrective actions to keep initiatives on track
• Establish effective governance, reporting, and performance reviews while promoting standard processes, best practices, and lessons learned
• Drive stakeholder engagement and change management, supporting the successful adoption of new processes, tools, governance models, and ways of working
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and foster collaboration, accountability, and knowledge sharing across organizational and geographical boundaries
• Track benefits realization and business impact, ensuring initiatives contribute to productivity, scalability, execution excellence, digitalization, and sustainable performance improvements

Your background

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, Operations Management, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in project or program management, operational excellence, business transformation, or continuous improvement
• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects or transformation initiatives, ideally within a global organization
• Strong project management capabilities, including planning, governance, resource coordination, risk management, execution, and performance tracking
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, Project Management, or comparable operational excellence and improvement methodologies is an advantage
• Strong stakeholder and change management skills with the ability to create alignment and drive execution within a matrix organization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate strategic priorities and performance insights into concrete actions
• Excellent communication skills in English and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders across functions, regions, and organizational levels

More about us

Our flexible working practices help you optimize personal and business performance while creating an environment where all employees can develop their skills and grow.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing a general inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.

This is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision-making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as Hitachi’s Global Data Privacy Notice.

Background Screening and Security Checks

As part of the hiring process, Hitachi Energy conducts pre-employment background checks that may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in accordance with applicable laws.

For certain roles—particularly those involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, regulated environments, or security-sensitive functions—additional or more comprehensive background or security screenings may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, enhanced criminal history checks, credit history reviews (where legally permissible), sanctions screening, or other due diligence measures aligned with the responsibilities of the position.

The scope and depth of any background or security review will be determined based on the nature of the role and business necessity, and will always be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Candidates will be notified and, where required, asked to provide consent prior to the initiation of any such checks.