Head of Operational Excellence - Aarhus

Arla Group; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 1,400,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla is seeking a Head of Operational Excellence in Logistics CoE to drive global strategy and execution. You will lead the Operational Excellence team, shaping standards, processes and solutions across insourced and outsourced logistics, while collaborating with markets, sites and central functions.

The role emphasizes Lean, PDCA, and digital transformation with AI, IoT, automation, and performance dashboards to deliver measurable value and sustainable improvements across the network.

Qualifications

• Experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or logistics transformation.
• Degree in Economics, Supply Chain, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of data-driven performance management frameworks.
• Experience with digital transformation, automation, or smart logistics.
• Leadership experience or matrix management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Shape global strategy and long-term roadmap for logistics operational excellence.
• Define and embed common logistics standards, SOPs, playbooks and process taxonomy.
• Develop and embed the Arla Performance System for logistics and KPIs.

Skills

Operational excellence

Continuous improvement

Logistics transformation

Stakeholder management

Education

Economics degree

Supply Chain degree

Job description

Help shape operational excellence across our global logistics network

Do you want to help create smarter, more connected and future-ready logistics operations across Arla?

In this senior leadership role, you will play a key part in shaping operational excellence across our global logistics network. Working closely with colleagues across sites, markets and central functions, you will help translate strategy into practical standards, processes and solutions while strengthening the capabilities needed to support consistent and sustainable operational performance.

“You will lead our Operational Excellence team and collaborate closely with logistics sites, market teams and central functions. Together, you will develop, test and embed solutions across both insourced- and outsourced operations,” says Jakob Hartvig, Head of Center of Excellence – Logistics.

How you will make an impact

As Head of Operational Excellence in Logistics CoE, you will help connect global ambition with local execution. You will inspire and provide functional leadership across the logistics network, create clarity on priorities and responsibilities, and work with stakeholders to ensure that improvements create meaningful and measurable operational value.

In this role you will

• Shape and drive the global strategy and long-term roadmap for logistics operational excellence, aligning priorities and resources across sites, markets and functions.
• Define, implement and continuously improve common logistics standards, SOPs, playbooks and process taxonomy, while strengthening continuous improvement capabilities through approaches such as Lean, A3 and PDCA.
• Develop and embed the Arla Performance System for logistics, including performance meeting standards, operational KPIs, dashboards, benchmarking and links to financial performance and the SQCDMP balanced scorecard.
• Further advance on the digital transformation of logistics by identifying, assessing and scaling high-value use cases across AI, machine learning, IoT, automation and other smart logistics technologies.

Foster a strong operational excellence network across Arla, by supporting capability building, change adoption while drawing on external insights and proof-of-concept activities.

What will help you succeed

You bring experience within operational excellence, continuous improvement, logistics transformation or a related field, and you are motivated by creating sustainable improvements in complex environments . You are comfortable working across organizational and geographical boundaries and understand the importance of balancing global consistency with local needs.

You combine strategic thinking with a practical mindset and enjoy engaging with diverse stakeholders to create solutions that work in practice.

We imagine that you bring

• Relevant experience within operational excellence, supply chain, logistics
• A degree in Economics, Supply Chain or related field or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and data-driven performance management frameworks.
• Experience with digital transformation, automation or smart logistics solutions. Leadership experience, either through people leadership or matrix environments
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills

As a leader, you create direction by translating complexity into clear priorities and actionable plans. You build trust by listening and being curious, involving local market stakeholders and adapting solutions where appropriate. At the same time, you maintain focus on delivering sustainable outcomes and continuous improvements.

What do we offer?

This is an opportunity to shape the future of logistics across Arla and create impact at network scale. You will work with experienced colleagues across markets, sites and central functions, combining global perspectives with practical operational expertise. The role offers broad exposure, meaningful transformation opportunities and the chance to contribute to the development of people, processes and digital solutions that strengthen safety, quality, service, cost and sustainability performance.

We are committed to professional development and a collaborative culture where knowledge is shared and improvements are built together. You will join a farmer-owned, international business with a clear purpose and the ambition to make nutritious dairy products while continuously improving how we operate.

Would you like to join us?

If you have any questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Jakob Hartvig, Head of Logistics Center of Excellence, at [e-mail]

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.