Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement Manager (m / f / d) in Herford

Water challenges are escalating globally, threatening communities, our environment, and our future. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will face absolute water scarcity. We are a global water technology provider with 23,000 employees, dedicated to helping our customers solve water issues through technology and expertise. Xylem is a leading provider of efficient, innovative, and sustainable water technologies, improving water use, management, conservation, and reuse. Together, we aim to make water more accessible and communities more resilient, creating a more water-secure and sustainable world.

We are seeking an experienced Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement Manager (m/f/d) to lead process improvement initiatives within our organization. You will identify inefficiencies, develop strategies to enhance productivity, and measure the success of these efforts. This role requires expertise in methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma and involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive sustainable change aligned with our strategic goals. The position fosters a culture of excellence and continuous development.

This role is an individual contributor without direct management responsibilities. It functions as a subject matter expert and project lead for our R&D and manufacturing site in Herford, integrated within an international team of CI experts.

Location: Herford, Germany

Key Responsibilities:

1. Drive development and implementation of Continuous Improvement projects supporting strategic and operational plans.
2. Facilitate multi-day Kaizen events and CI workshops with cross-functional teams, including shop floor and executive levels.
3. Lead process mapping, 5S, VSM, and standard work projects effectively across teams.
4. Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities through idea generation and management collaboration.
5. Analyze data against KPIs, identify trends, and investigate causes of variances.
6. Act as a change agent, supporting and guiding teams through change; mentor and coach employees on CI initiatives.
7. Perform root cause analysis to identify underlying issues.
8. Engage and influence stakeholders to support CI projects and programs.
9. Monitor metrics such as CI Savings, CI Engagement, and CI Training for the site.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Over 5 years of successful experience in planning and executing Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement efforts.
• In progress or completed Lean or Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
• Achieved or working towards Lean Apprentice status and Gold Lean Practitioner level.
• Proven experience in facilitating workshops, Kaizens, and training sessions.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and inspiring skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both German and English.
• Proficiency with standard data presentation tools and systems.

We offer professional development opportunities, comprehensive rewards, and involvement in our Watermark CSR program, which promotes education and access to safe water. Our Employee Networks support diverse backgrounds and foster inclusion.

For questions, contact Niklas Naunheim, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, at +49 1621374371.

We look forward to your application!

Xylem is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.