Operational Excellence Lead

APM Terminals Gothenburg; Aarhus kommune; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Maersk seeks an Operational Excellence Lead to drive localization, maturity and consistency of The Maersk Way across the Nordics. You will diagnose challenges, design pragmatic solutions and deliver measurable outcomes in logistics and services.

The role partners with Product, Operations, Finance CX and Area Leadership to run cross-functional improvement programs, embedding standardized processes and scalable governance across frontline operations.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years functional experience in logistics and services.
• Proven experience in Operational Excellence, Lean, or Continuous Improvement, including Kaizen, PDCA/ DMAIC, RCA, GEMBAs, RCA, A3, VSM, Daily Management and/or similar.
• Track record of delivering tangible operational improvements in complex/ambiguous logistics environments.
• Proven experience with structured project management methodologies (PMI, PRINCE2) including change management.
• Ability to link data insights with operational behaviour.
• Certifications in CI/OPEX (Green/Black Belt) are a plus.
• AI/ Agentic Bot development (relevant context) if any.

Responsibilities

• Lead TMW deployment design and localization strategy for the Nordics, including governance routines.
• Drive structured problem solving and cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Design and manage OPEX training and coaching for frontline teams.
• Define KPI frameworks and deliver data-driven performance improvements.

Skills

Facilitation

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Change management

Influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/engineering/supply chain/ops/logistics

Tools

A3 problem solving

Kaizen

Lean

RCA

VSM

GEMBAs

PDCA

DMAIC

Daily Management

Job description

The Operational Excellence Lead is a senior individual contributor accountable for driving the localization, maturity, consistency and impact of The Maersk Way (TMW) Operating System (OS) and NDC TMW training program across the Nordics area (NDC). The role combines deep operational expertise in logistics and services, with advanced understanding Operational Excellence methodologies to diagnose customer and business challenges, shape and implement pragmatic solutions, and deliver measurable, sustainable business outcomes.

The successful professional is expected to act as a trusted partner to Product, Operations, Finance CX, and the Area Leadership Team, driving complex cross-functional improvement initiatives while ensuring solutions are scalable, standardized, and embedded into frontline operations.

Leadership & Behavioural Skills

Strong facilitation, coaching and stakeholder management skills. Inquisitive personality, with the ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability (this is a must). Structured and well organized. Can operate independently in an ambiguous environment, and can deliver results with minimal guidance, but will seek advice, guidance and receive support for more complex or non-routine items. Ability to influence, drive and embed change and get buy in from stakeholders across multiple organizational levels. Effective communicator. Proven ability to drive and embed change across multiple organizational levels. Hands-on, pragmatic, and execution-focused mindset.

Key Responsibilities

1. TMW Deployment Design and implement the localization strategy for The Maersk Way (TMW) across the Nordics Area. Design, implement and sustain regular performance management systems (Cadences, SQC boards, KPI routines). Ensure standardization of operational processes and performance governance routines. Provide advanced guidance on structured problem solving (A3, Kaizen, Lean, RCA) to the business.
2. Continuous Improvement: Drive structured problem-solving exercises to address core customer/business challenges and performance gaps across the Nordics area. Facilitate Kaizen workshops, A3 problem solving workshops, and VSM/ Process mapping exercises. Lead cross-functional business/customer improvement initiatives. Ensure standardization of operational processes and governance routines across the Nordics. Identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities based on performance, risk, customer impact, and strategic priorities. Run and lead business critical projects as defined by the Area Leadership Team (ALT).
3. Capability Building & Coaching: Design, manage and keep up to date “The Maersk Way” training program in the Nordics. Coach frontline teams on TMW tools including (but not exclusive to): Problem Solving, Bowler Charts, Action Plans and future features to be deployed to the organization. Localize, deliver and manage the A3/Problem Solving training program. Support embedding of a continuous improvement culture in daily operations. Serve as coach and facilitator to the business and OPEX Specialist. Develop the NDC OPEX upskilling program with the purposes of maintaining the NDC OPEX team up to date and enhance overall performance.
4. KPI Governance & Performance Management: Define and implement Area and Product KPI frameworks. Establish data-driven governance routines. Track and deliver measurable improvements tied to business outcomes. Act as a trusted advisor on performance gaps and corrective actions.
5. Business Value Enablement: Translate real operational constraints and problems into data-driven improvement initiatives. Apply end-to-end business thinking, understanding trade-offs and need for prioritization. Ensure all improvements are anchored in operational reality and system capabilities. Partner with Digital, Data and Automation teams. Evaluate trade-offs between service, cost, and operational feasibility to prioritize the highest-impact initiatives. Ensure all improvements are anchored in operational reality and system capabilities. Drive continuous improvement loops based on data insights.

Scope & Focus

Primary focus: Area related business units (Products, Sales, FIN, CX, PROC, etc). Secondary: Global Products and Ocean. Coverage: Cross-functional and gap-based support. Problem solving scope: From domain-level coaching to complex cross-functional transformation topics. Deputy if Area Head of OPEX is absent.

Success Measures

Adoption and maturity of TMW and performance routines across the Nordics. Sustainable improvement of business performance via facilitated initiatives. Strengthened cross-functional collaboration and ownership.

Key Interfaces

Area Head of Operational Excellence. Area and Global Product Heads. Area Product Managers and teams. Area Operations Managers and Teams. CEN OPEX. Regional Head of OPEX. Lean Academy. Coaches. CX / Customer Service teams. Finance / FinOps partners. Sales. Digitization and Data Teams.

Required Qualifications & Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, or a related field; advanced study or certifications are an advantage.
2. 7-10+ years functional experience in logistics and services.
3. Demonstrated practical experience in Operational Excellence, Lean, or Continuous Improvement, including popular frameworks and tools like Kaizen, PDCA/ DMAIC, RCA, GEMBAs, RCA, A3, VSM, Daily Management and/or similar.
4. Track record of delivering tangible operational improvements in complex/ambiguous logistics environments.
5. Proven experience in applying structured project management methodologies (IE: PMI, PRINCE2, etc), including change management and change behaviour during implementation.
6. Ability to link data insights and contextual information with real-life operational behaviour.
7. Good to haves: Experience with process mapping, policy definition and automation initiatives.
8. Certified in CI and/or OPEX frameworks (IE: Green/Black Belt).
9. AI/ Agentic Bot development.

Company Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking.

Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements. We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].

About Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customer's supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs roughly 100,000 people. With simple end-to-end offering of products and digital services, seamless customer engagement and a superior end-to-end delivery network, Maersk enables its customers to trade and grow by transporting goods anywhere - all over the world. For more information click here. All the way.