Site Operations Excellence Leader

Avantor; Hillegom; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High visibility

Direct business impact

Collaborative environment

Potential permanent role

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Senior Process Improvement professional to drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives across a major site in Hillegom, The Netherlands. This one-year fixed-term contract aims to convert to a permanent role based on performance and business needs.

You will lead cross-functional projects, identify efficiency gains, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, while engaging stakeholders and delivering measurable cost savings.

Qualifications

• Strong practical experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of manufacturing and order fulfilment processes in highly regulated environments such as pharma/medical device.
• Proven history of delivering operational improvements and cost-saving initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence initiatives across Procurement, Production, Quality, Planning, Warehousing, and Logistics.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and CI methodologies to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Analyse processes to improve productivity, quality, capacity, inventory, lead times, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead projects from idea generation through implementation and sustainment.
• Influence stakeholders at all levels and track performance with KPIs.
• Act as change champion to build a culture of continuous improvement across the site.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Continuous Improvement

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Thinking

Change Leadership

Job description

The Opportunity

Implements tactical process improvement goals that drive efficiency, scalability, and innovation across business functions. Contributes significantly to the achievement of strategic business objectives by leading efforts in workflow optimization, automation, and operational risk reduction. Manages large process improvement projects and/or processes, overseeing initiatives such as enterprise-wide process standardization, advanced workflow redesigns, and compliance-driven business improvements. Directs the activities of others within projects, ensuring alignment with best practices, organizational goals, and industry benchmarks. Works on complex problems requiring an in-depth evaluation of multiple variable factors, including resource allocation, regulatory adherence, and technology integrations. Adapts precedents and may make departures from traditional approaches to develop innovative solutions that streamline operations and enhance productivity. Communicates with and influences senior management, providing insights into process optimization strategies, automation frameworks, and efficiency-driven cost reductions. Enhances relationships and networks with senior internal and external partners who may not be familiar with process improvement methodologies, often requiring persuasive communication to align stakeholders with strategic objectives.

Location & Contract

Location: Hillegom, The Netherlands. Contract: 1-year fixed-term contract with the intention to convert to a permanent position.

What you'll be doing

• Driving operational excellence initiatives across Procurement, Production, Quality, Planning, Warehousing, and Logistics
• Applying Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste and improve efficiency
• Analysing processes and identifying opportunities to improve productivity, quality, capacity, inventory management, and customer satisfaction
• Leading projects from idea generation through implementation and long-term sustainment
• Influencing and engaging stakeholders at all levels of the organisation
• Tracking project performance, savings, and operational impact using defined KPIs
• Acting as a change champion and helping build a culture of continuous improvement throughout the site

What we're looking for

• Strong practical experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
• A solid understanding of manufacturing and order fulfilment processes within pharmaceutical, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• A proven history of delivering meaningful operational improvements and cost-saving initiatives
• Excellent project management and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• The ability to influence teams, drive engagement, and implement change without direct authority
• A hands-on approach and a passion for making things work better every day

How success is measured

• Significant annual cost savings and operational efficiencies
• Improvements in productivity, quality, inventory levels, lead times, and customer service performance
• Successful implementation and long-term sustainment of continuous improvement initiatives
• Creation of a stronger culture of operational excellence across the site

What's on offer?

• A unique opportunity to influence and improve an entire manufacturing site
• High visibility and direct impact on business performance
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• The opportunity to shape long-term operational excellence strategy 1-year contract with a strong intention to convert to a permanent role based on performance and business needs

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Privacy Policy: We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests. 3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy: By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation. Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. We set science in motion to create a better world.