INJECTION MOLDING Group Operational Excellence and C.I. Director

Open Executive Search & Selection - Milan & London; Emilia-Romagna; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Executive Search & Selection in Emilia Romagna seeks a Group Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement Director, a seasoned executive with deep injection molding expertise. You will oversee global manufacturing standards, analytics, and KPI alignment across plants, driving strategic CI initiatives and standardized processes.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong data-driven decision making, and the ability to mobilize teams across multiple countries.

Qualifications

• Experience in multinational industrial companies, ideally from a corporate/HQ role.
• Discrete manufacturing background with assembly, stamping/molding processes and high internal production capability.
• Skills in injection mold construction, plastic molding, ultrasonic and RF welding, advanced automation, vision inspection systems.
• Familiarity with Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) complexities is a plus.
• Strong command of manufacturing analytics, KPI systems, and CI methodologies (Lean, OpEx, TPM).
• Highly analytical and data-driven mindset.
• Ability to objectify issues, define priorities, and translate insights into executable plans.
• Hands-on, execution-focused leadership style.
• Ability to manage and influence teams across multiple plants and countries.
• Willingness to travel frequently.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute global manufacturing strategy aligned with COO directives.
• Monitor and analyze core manufacturing KPIs (productivity, efficiency, scrap, OEE).
• Identify gaps and improvement opportunities and drive execution plans with local teams.
• Ensure consistency of production processes, KPIs, and methodologies globally.
• Support plants in operational excellence initiatives and recovery plans across geographies.
• Deploy CI programs leveraging data analytics, process mapping, and standardized reporting.
• Drive cross-functional projects focused on quality, productivity, cost optimization, and global harmonization.
• Travel to international plants (~50% of time).

Skills

Injection molding

Lean manufacturing

Data analytics

KPI systems

Cross-country leadership

Travel readiness

Automation & vision systems

SQE exposure

Tools

Ultrasonic welding

RF welding

Vision inspection systems

Automation platforms

Job description

INJECTION MOLDING Group Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement Director | Emilia Romagna

As Group operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement Director you are an expert in injection molding and will oversee the Group’s global manufacturing standard and performance, ensuring excellence, standardization, global KPIs and continuous improvement actions across all plants.

This role plays a pivotal part in driving industrial transformation through strong analytical

capabilities, data-based decision making, and the ability to define clear priorities and actionable implementation plans.

Responsibilities and Activities:

Global Governance & Manufacturing Performance

• Define and execute the global manufacturing strategy aligned with COO directives and the local GMs.
• Monitor and analyze core manufacturing KPIs (productivity, efficiency, scrap, OEE, industrial costs, process standardization).
• Objectively identify gaps and improvement opportunities, propose clear priorities, and drive execution plans with local organizations.

Leadership Across Global Plants

• Ensure consistency of production processes, KPIs, and methodologies globally.
• Support plants in operational excellence initiatives and recovery plans across all geographies, with initial priority on the NAFTA region.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Projects

• Deploy structured CI programs, leveraging data analytics, process mapping, and standardized reporting.
• Drive cross-functional projects focused on quality, productivity, cost optimization, and global harmonization.

Travel & Global Engagement

• Ensure strong and visible presence across international plants (~50% travel).
• Strengthen operational discipline and accountability in high-priority regions, notably NAFTA.

What Are We Looking For:

• Experience in multinational industrial companies, ideally from a corporate/HQ role.
• Proven experience in discrete manufacturing, with solid exposure to assembly operations, stamping/molding processes, and highly verticalized manufacturing environments featuring strong internal production capabilities and minimal outsourcing.
• Skills in injection mold construction, plastic molding, ultrasonic and radio‑frequency welding, advanced automation, vision inspection systems, and the pleating of non‑woven or paper materials.
• Familiarity with Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE)–related complexities is considered a plus.
• Strong command of manufacturing analytics, KPI systems, and CI methodologies (Lean, OpEx, TPM, etc.).
• Highly analytical and fully data-driven mindset.
• Strong ability to objectify issues, define priorities, and translate insights into executable plans.
• Hands-on, execution-focused leadership style.
• Ability to manage and influence teams across multiple plants and countries.
• High flexibility and willingness to travel frequently.