Head of Industrial Innovation

TK Elevator; Mieres; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development

International project exposure

Job summary

TK Elevator is seeking a Head of Industrial Innovation to define and drive the global strategy for TKAS’s industrial operations in Mieres, Asturias. You will oversee modernization of manufacturing, logistics and supply chain, linking strategy with technology deployment.

The role requires leadership of multidisciplinary teams, adoption of robotics, IIoT, digital twins, and analytics, and collaboration with external partners to deliver sustainable impact.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in complex industrial operations, preferably with multi-site or international responsibilities.
• Track record leading transformations with measurable productivity, lead time, quality, capacity, inventory or cost gains.
• Experience in automation, digitalization, product industrialization, or supply chain transformation.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams without relying solely on hierarchy.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the global industrial innovation strategy and the 'Factory of the Future' vision.
• Develop and implement automation and digitalization to optimize production and industrialization.
• Drive robotics, IIoT, digital twins, AI, and advanced analytics initiatives.
• Optimize logistics and material flow through automation and traceability.
• Strengthen supply chain resilience with digital collaboration and localization strategies.
• Lead Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, TPM, and continuous improvement programs.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to scale transformation initiatives.
• Foster innovation culture and partnerships with universities, research centers, and vendors.
• Establish governance and measurement frameworks for value realization.

Skills

Industrial operations

Transformation leadership

Automation

Industrial digitalization

Cross-functional leadership

Vendor management

Project management

Education

University degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering

Additional training in operations, supply chain, digital transformation, or business management

Tools

MES

IIoT

Digital twins

Job description

TK Elevator (TKE) is a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility, providing engineering — from design through installation, maintenance and modernization — for elevators, escalators, moving walkways, passenger boarding bridges, stairlifts, platform lifts and home elevators. TKE employs more than 50.000 people around the world, being present in more than 100 countries.

From our engineering and manufacturing site in Mieres, Asturias, TKAS offers a full portfolio of airport apron and gate mobility solutions. Our passenger boarding bridges connect terminals to aircraft safely and efficiently. Our ground support equipment covers preconditioned air, ground power units and potable water units for aircraft turnaround. Our advanced visual docking guidance systems (A-VDGS), including the LiDAR-based Apron Vision, ensure precise and safe aircraft docking. Our digital solutions — MAX Automate, MAX Monitor & Control and MAX Maintenance Manager — bring AI and remote operation to the apron.

Joining TKAS means working on real engineering challenges at global scale, combining German engineering heritage with a strong local team in Asturias, and contributing to safer, smarter and more sustainable airport infrastructure.

The Head of Industrial Innovation will be responsible for defining and executing the transformation roadmap for TKAS's industrial operations. The role will link strategy, technology, and execution to modernize manufacturing, logistics, and the supply chain, enhancing safety, quality, productivity, sustainability, flexibility, and schedule adherence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and lead the global industrial innovation strategy and the Factory of the Future vision, ensuring alignment with the company’s growth objectives.
• Develop and implement automation, digitalization, and advanced manufacturing initiatives to optimize production processes and accelerate new product industrialization.
• Drive the adoption of innovative technologies such as robotics, IIoT, digital twins, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital manufacturing systems.
• Optimize logistics and material flow processes through automation, traceability, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Strengthen supply chain resilience and competitiveness through advanced planning, risk management, supplier development, localization strategies, and digital collaboration.
• Lead operational excellence programs based on Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and collaborate with key business functions to ensure the successful execution and scalability of transformation initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and change management, building partnerships with universities, research centers, technology providers, startups, and industrial partners.
• Establish governance, performance monitoring, and value measurement frameworks to ensure sustainable and scalable business impact from innovation initiatives.

Required Experience

• Proven experience in complex industrial operations, preferably with multi-site or international responsibilities.
• Demonstrable track record of leading transformations that delivered quantifiable impacts on productivity, lead time, quality, capacity, inventory, or cost.
• Direct experience in automation, industrial digitalization, product industrialization, and/or supply chain transformation.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and cross-functional programs without relying solely on hierarchical authority.
• Experience managing business cases, investments, technology vendors, and organizational adoption.

Education and Knowledge

• University degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering, Industrial Organization, or an equivalent discipline.
• Additional training in operations, supply chain, digital transformation, or business management is a plus.
• Practical knowledge of Smart Manufacturing, automation, robotics, MES, IIoT, analytics, industrial AI, and digital twins.
• Proficiency in operational excellence methodologies, viewed as enablers rather than the ultimate goal of the role.
• Professional proficiency in English; knowledge of other languages is an asset.

• The opportunity to join an international team working on high-impact, technically demanding projects within the airport mobility sector.
• Hybrid working model: on-site in Mieres (Asturias) with partial remote work.
• Professional development within a specialized, expanding technical environment, as part of the TK Elevator group.
• Terms and conditions to be discussed based on candidate profile.