Projektleiter Operational Excellence (m/f/x)

ZEISS; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology is seeking a proactive professional to drive cross-functional optimization projects in Operations. You will lead interdisciplinary teams, identify improvement potentials in production, and implement advanced Lean methods to raise efficiency.

Collaborating closely with Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing, you will standardize processes, design workshops, and embed sustainable improvements with measurable KPIs.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in a production environment (approx. 5 years) with cross-functional project success.
• Solid Lean Management competencies: value stream mapping, 5S, SMED, PDCA, Six Sigma.
• Strong project management skills and systematic approach to process improvement.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management.
• Independent, initiative-driven, able to quickly learn new topics and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead cross-functional optimization projects in Operations.
• Identify improvement potential in production and advance Lean methods.
• Develop and standardize operational processes with Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and relevant interfaces.
• Design, moderation, and documentation of workshops along the Operations value chain.
• Promote knowledge sharing; ensure sustainable embedding of improvements.
• Support reporting, quality, and governance approaches to increase transparency and effectiveness of operational measures.
• Coach stakeholders and sponsor teams to achieve measurable KPIs.

Skills

Lean Management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Education

Industrial Engineering

Job description

ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology

Enabler for smaller, more powerful and more energy-efficient microchips

Work where tomorrow is created.

What is absolutely essential in every smartphone? Exactly - the microchip, the heart of every electronically controlled system. Around 80 % of all microchips worldwide are manufactured using ZEISS technologies. ZEISS is a technology leader in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. With highly precise lithography optics, photomask systems and solutions for process control, ZEISS enables the production of ever smaller, more powerful and more energy-efficient microchips - and thus, with its innovations, plays a decisive role in shaping the era of micro- and nanoelectronics.

In the area of Operational Excellence, you actively shape the factory of the future and make a direct contribution to the manufacturing of our high-precision lithography optics and other key components used in the production of cutting-edge microchips. As a cross-functional team, we unlock the full potential of our manufacturing together with the production units, develop lean standards and smart methods, and bring them directly to the shopfloor. With innovative digitalization and automation solutions, we continue to shape our smart factory and ensure a consistently optimized value chain across all stages of production.

Your role

• Initiation and leadership of cross-functional optimization projects in Operations, with technical leadership of interdisciplinary teams.
• Proactive identification of improvement potential in production areas, and development, advancement, and implementation of advanced Lean methods.
• Further development and standardization of operational processes in close alignment with Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and relevant interface areas.
• Design, moderation, and documentation of workshops along the entire Operations value chain; promote knowledge sharing; ensure sustainable embedding.
• Responsibility for implementing improvements to meet schedule, quality, and cost targets; transfer into regular operations.
• Support for reporting, quality, and governance approaches to increase transparency and effectiveness of operational measures.
• Ensure a structured, results-oriented approach with measurable KPIs; coaching of stakeholders and sponsor teams.

Your profile

• You hold a completed university degree in a technically, economically, or production-oriented field (e.g., Industrial Engineering, Engineering Sciences, Business Administration, or Production Management) and bring a solid foundation with you.
• With your several years of experience in a production environment (approx. 5 years) and demonstrable cross-functional project successes, you have a hands‑on track record.
• Solid Lean Management competencies, including value stream mapping, 5S, SMED, PDCA, Six Sigma, and other methods of continuous improvement, form your solid basis for sustainable process optimization.
• Through your solid project management competency, combined with a goal-oriented, systematic way of working and continuous process improvement, you implement project assignments purposefully and achieve measurable optimizations of the workflows.
• With your cross-functional communication and stakeholder‑management skills, I present myself confidently in interdisciplinary teams. You demonstrate a high degree of initiative, implementation strength, and independence; you quickly become familiar with new topics and pursue goal-oriented realization.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:
Werner Baldauf