Operations Excellence Manager/Sr. Manager

Oman Investment Authority; Muscat; Hybrid; OMR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oman Investment Authority seeks an Operations Excellence Manager Sr Manager to define, design, implement, and refine a lean-based strategy for the APFZ portfolio, spanning ports, free zones and corporate functions.

The role includes coaching leadership, facilitating Kaizen events, and developing a training program to embed lean skills while delivering substantial financial and operational improvements through a clear continuous improvement system.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in an operational excellence leadership role.
• Experience creating & deploying a lean program from the ground up.
• Clear track record of positive, sizeable financial impact.
• Experience developing a new operations excellence program.
• Background in port operations, maritime operations or logistics preferred; other industries considered with relevant program experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Ports Management, shipping, engineering, or similar.
• Master's degree is a plus.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification; other lean certifications desirable.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; Arabic proficiency is a plus.
• Willingness to travel nationally across Oman and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Set lean & continuous improvement strategy for APFZ.
• Introduce global best practices and innovation across Asyad Ports.
• Design & implement a new Operational Excellence System.
• Deliver a financial & operational improvement scheme with double-digit gains.
• Lead Kaizen events and train staff across sites.
• Collaborate with leadership to align across functions.

Skills

Lean leadership

Continuous improvement

Stakeholder management

Project management

Analytical skills

Training development

English fluency

Arabic language (plus)

Change management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Ports Management/Shipping/Engineering

Master's degree (plus)

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Other lean certs desirable

Job description

The Operations Excellence Manager Sr Manager will have the responsibility of Defining designing implementing and refining the lean based Operational Excellence strategy & system for the Asyad Ports & Freezones portfolio covering all operating entities and corporate functions Advising & coaching the APFZ Leadership team on lean transformation Creating a system that will be the key enabler of financial & operational improvements within the operating business and responsible with VP Ops VP Commercial & Freezone Heads for delivery of significant positive improvements to financial performance Developing & implementing a training strategy & program for APFZ people to instil lean skills into our organization The Operations Excellence Manager Sr Manager should be seen as a people focused leader able to build APFZ people not purely an expert individual Leading the facilitation of Kaizen & other lean management events while acting as a key trainer & mentor to all employees in this regard This is a critical role with freedom opportunity & responsibility to develop a new continuous improvement system and transform a young developing organization strong KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES strong Setting lean & continuous improvement strategy for APFZIntroduce global best practices and innovation across Asyad Ports Ensure strong process ownership governance and change management mechanisms Design & implementation of new Asyad Ports & Freezones Operational Excellence SystemDefining & implement a new operational excellence strategy & system based on lean methodology for Asyad Ports & Freezones Business objective is to deliver significant multiple double-digit improvements in financial and operational performance This is to be achieved through training our people in & executing on a clear actionable continuous improvement methodology as part of a clear business system Delivery of Financial & Operational Improvement SchemeThe Operations Excellence Manager Sr Manager will be accountable together with functional leaders for delivery of financial improvement not purely program activity Lead strategic initiatives to elevate port competitiveness Development of Lean Skills Across the OrganisationHaving developed the system the leader must be able to implement this across a range of operating sites & corporate functions through an engaging training program Development of our people is the foundation for program success Lead initiatives that improve end-to-end value chain performance and ensure alignment between operations commercial maintenance IT and finance Lean LeadershipRecognised as the in‑house expert coach & guide on lean continuous improvement The individual should have credibility as lean sensei for APFZ Kaizen LeadershipPersonal lead the first and most critical kaizen events to improve the business Drive continuous improvement across port operations focusing on efficiency turnaround time and cost optimization Stakeholder CollaborationWork closely with APFZ leadership & units heads to integrate operational excellence initiatives seamlessly across all functions Manage internal & external stakeholders at various levels while building & maintaining strong working relationships with the same Performance MonitoringDevelop the Operational Excellence performance management approach establishing where necessary key performance indicators KPIs and operational metrics to track the effectiveness of implemented processes Process Governance & StandardizationEnforce standardized SOPs operational frameworks and best practices across all portfolios Ensure strong process ownership governance and change management mechanisms Support and advise new process standardization for new business units Support APFZ direction with technology & digital enhancement to assure lean management and process improvement

QUALIFICATION, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 8 years in an operational excellence leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience in creating & deploying a lean program in organisations from the ground up.
• Clear track record of positive, sizeable, financial impact.
• Experience in developing a new operations excellence program.
• Background in port operations, maritime operations or logistics preferred. Other industries will be considered where the candidate has clear experience of new program development & deployment.
• Bachelor s degree in Ports Management, shipping, engineering, or similar.
• A Master s degree is a plus.
• Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Black Belts Certificate. Other Professional or In-house certifications in lean management are highly desirable.
• Skills: Lean leadership understanding & continuous improvement more broadly. Strong stakeholder management & interpersonal skills. Ability to lead and facilitate teams, often across multiple working sites and within a change management environment. Excellent project management skills with a track record of successful project delivery. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Capable to develop and lead training across the business.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in Arabic is considered a plus.
• Adaptability: Willingness to travel nationally across Oman and internationally.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal CEO & COO.
• Leadership Team.
• All Departments.
• External Consultants.
• MTCIT.
• Customs.
• Shipping Agents.