Projektleiter Operational Excellence (m/f/x)

Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH in Oberkochen, Germany, is seeking an experienced Operations Enabler to drive cross-functional optimization projects. You will provide technical leadership for interdisciplinary teams and push continuous improvement across production lines.

You will develop and standardize processes, coach stakeholders, and ensure improvements meet schedule, quality, and cost targets with measurable KPIs, contributing to a world-class smart factory.

Qualifications

• University degree in a technical, economic, or production field.
• Several years of experience in a production environment (≈5 years).
• Strong Lean Management skills (value stream mapping, 5S, SMED, PDCA, Six Sigma).

Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead cross-functional optimization projects in Operations.
• Identify improvement potential in production areas and implement lean improvements.
• Develop and standardize operational processes with Engineering, Quality, Purchasing.
• Moderate workshops along the Operations value chain and coach stakeholders.
• Ensure improvements meet schedule, quality and cost targets with KPIs.

Skills

Lean Management

Project Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Stakeholder Management

Process Improvement

Education

University degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering Sciences, Business Administration, or Production Management

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.

About us

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.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.