Head of Manufacturing Excellence

Vestas; taranto; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Vestas Taranto factory manufactures blades for onshore and offshore wind turbines and leads advanced Lean initiatives to boost performance across the value chain.

As Head of Manufacturing Excellence you will direct operational excellence, drive transformative improvement projects, and develop the team through training and mentoring while using data analytics to track impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, operational excellence, or continuous improvement environments
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is preferred; however, a Green Belt with demonstrated measurable improvement results may also be considered
• Lean / Continuous Improvement Coach certification (internal or external)
• Fluent in English and Italian
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Excel
• Leadership experience marked by the ability to guide change, refine established methods, and make thoughtful decisions in a manufacturing environment
• Experience leading Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including conducting assessments, coaching teams, and ensuring sustainable implementation of improvements
• Solid business acumen with experience managing budgets, tracking improvement portfolio benefits, and escalating risks or deviations when required
• Data-focused mindset with the ability to turn operational insights into practical improvement opportunities and measurable outcomes
• Well-developed communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, along with the ability to connect with all levels of the organization
• Ability to develop organizational capability through training, coaching, and the promotion of Lean and digital competencies
• Customer-centered mindset paired with a structured, self-directed, and results-driven approach to problem-solving and execution
• Ability to identify, capture, and deploy best practices across manufacturing sites, ensuring adoption and continuous performance improvement

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Factory Manufacturing Excellence roadmap, ensuring alignment with the Global Manufacturing Excellence strategy and factory business objectives
• Own and manage the factory improvement portfolio across SQDCP, including prioritization, governance, benefits realization, and performance tracking
• Guide continuous improvement work using Lean Manufacturing concepts, assessments, and Vestas Production System approaches to boost performance
• Leverage data analytics and digital tools to identify performance gaps, prioritize improvement opportunities, and measure the impact of improvement initiatives
• Establish, deploy, and maintain Lean standards across the operation, ensuring consistency, sustainability, and operational excellence
• Serve as a change leader by guiding transformation efforts, supporting a continuous improvement mindset, and encouraging the use of best practices across factories
• Define and implement the factory training and capability-building roadmap, ensuring alignment with global training strategies and operational requirements while developing Lean and digital competencies
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Manufacturing Excellence team, management, frontline leaders, and engineers to advance organizational capability and embed continuous improvement across the operation

Skills

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

English proficiency

Italian proficiency

Data analysis

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel)

Job description

Technology & Operations > Manufacturing > Taranto Blades

Taranto factory produces blades for our onshore and offshore wind turbine generators. It is here where we have our most proven technologies and where we recently introduced our most complex new product, the V236 offshore blade. Our team here is working diligently towards ensuring our customers are receiving safe and quality proven products on time. In the role of Head of Manufacturing Excellence, you will direct operational excellence activities, support transformative improvement projects, encourage a culture of continuous progress, and enhance factory performance through analytical decision making and cross-functional leadership across the value chain.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Factory Manufacturing Excellence roadmap, ensuring alignment with the Global Manufacturing Excellence strategy and factory business objectives
• Own and manage the factory improvement portfolio across SQDCP, including prioritization, governance, benefits realization, and performance tracking
• Guide continuous improvement work using Lean Manufacturing concepts, assessments, and Vestas Production System approaches to boost performance
• Leverage data analytics and digital tools to identify performance gaps, prioritize improvement opportunities, and measure the impact of improvement initiatives
• Establish, deploy, and maintain Lean standards across the operation, ensuring consistency, sustainability, and operational excellence
• Serve as a change leader by guiding transformation efforts, supporting a continuous improvement mindset, and encouraging the use of best practices across factories
• Define and implement the factory training and capability-building roadmap, ensuring alignment with global training strategies and operational requirements while developing Lean and digital competencies
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Manufacturing Excellence team, management, frontline leaders, and engineers to advance organizational capability and embed continuous improvement across the operation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, operational excellence, or continuous improvement environments
• A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is preferred; however, a Green Belt with demonstrated measurable improvement results may also be considered
• Lean / Continuous Improvement Coach certification (internal or external)
• Fluent in English and Italian
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Excel
• Leadership experience marked by the ability to guide change, refine established methods, and make thoughtful decisions in a manufacturing environment
• Experience leading Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including conducting assessments, coaching teams, and ensuring sustainable implementation of improvements
• Solid business acumen with experience managing budgets, tracking improvement portfolio benefits, and escalating risks or deviations when required
• Data-focused mindset with the ability to turn operational insights into practical improvement opportunities and measurable outcomes
• Well-developed communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, along with the ability to connect with all levels of the organization
• Ability to develop organizational capability through training, coaching, and the promotion of Lean and digital competencies
• Customer-centered mindset paired with a structured, self-directed, and results-driven approach to problem-solving and execution
• Ability to identify, capture, and deploy best practices across manufacturing sites, ensuring adoption and continuous performance improvement

What We Offer

The job position in question corresponds to level B3 pursuant to the applicable National Collective Bargaining Agreement for Metalworking Companies (Federmeccanica). The gross annual salary expected for the candidate is a minimum of € 40,181.46, set by the current national and company collective bargaining agreement.

At Vestas, you will collaborate with experienced specialists shaping solutions for renewable energy. You will have the opportunity to shape technical solutions, grid integration strategies, and regulatory developments while collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across the industry. We offer a high level of ownership, a supportive culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing, and continuous opportunities for professional development in a truly international environment. Most importantly, you will help shape the technical foundation of projects that contribute to the future energy system.

DEIB StatementAt Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

About VestasVestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 173 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field. With 29,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future. Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity. To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.