Head of Operational Excellence

Q-Med Uppsala; Uppsala kommun; Hybrid; SEK 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development and growth opportunities

Flexible working setup

Job summary

Galderma is seeking a Head of Operational Excellence in Uppsala, Sweden. This strategic role focuses on leading the transformation of the Uppsala site into a high-performing organization while driving Lean and Six Sigma initiatives.

Candidates should have over 10 years of relevant experience, strong leadership abilities, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. The position offers a flexible working setup with primarily on-site presence and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Operational Excellence or Lean.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or automotive industries is advantageous.
• Proficiency in statistical tools is required.

Responsibilities

• Drive and execute Lean and Six Sigma projects.
• Lead strategy deployment and foster continuous improvement.
• Coach and guide the Operational Excellence Team.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification

Leadership and influencing

Statistical tools proficiency (Minitab, JMP)

Collaborative skills

Job description

Galderma is the emerging pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body’s largest organ – the skin – meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. We look for people who focus on getting results, embrace learning and bring a positive energy; they must combine initiative with a sense of teamwork and collaboration and be passionate about doing something meaningful for consumers, patients, and the healthcare professionals we serve every day.

Role

Head of Operational Excellence – Uppsala, Sweden

Drive transformation. Enable excellence. Shape the future of manufacturing at Galderma.

We are now looking for a Head of Operational Excellence to lead the transformation of our Uppsala site into a mature, high‑performing and problem‑solving organization. This highly visible, strategic role will have significant impact across the full value stream and will require both hands‑on leadership and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy deployment program at the site, e.g., using Hoshin Kanri.
• Transform the Uppsala site into a mature, continuous improvement and effective problem‑solving organization.
• Drive and execute large, complex Lean and Six Sigma projects with measurable business impact.
• Embed a culture of data‑driven decision making through statistical and analytical approaches.
• Develop and deliver training, coaching and methodologies to build organizational capability.
• Optimize interconnected manufacturing systems, including workflows, logistics and production processes.
• Implement best practices to maximize utilization of production facilities and personnel.
• Prepare and present insights, recommendations and strategies to senior leadership and key decision forums.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead the local Operational Excellence Team through guidance, structure and coaching.
• As a Lean expert and member of the Site Leadership Team, coach leaders to adopt new, efficient ways of working and continuous improvement principles.
• As a member of the Global OpEx network, support the design, implementation and continuous improvement of Operational Excellence frameworks.
• Build strong, cross‑functional relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Influence and drive change through structured and effective change management practices.
• Provide expert guidance to managers and employees across the organization.

Your Profile

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Operational Excellence, Lean, Six Sigma or similar disciplines.
• Solid line‑management and leadership team experience.
• Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Background in manufacturing, supply chain and/or engineering within a global organization.
• Experience from pharmaceutical, automotive or highly cost‑focused industries is an advantage.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification (required); Master Black Belt preferred.
• Proficiency in statistical tools such as Minitab, JMP or equivalent.
• Proven track record of leading large‑scale transformation and improvement initiatives.
• Experience in training, coaching and capability building within Lean/Six Sigma frameworks.
• Excellent collaboration and interpersonal capabilities.

What We Offer

• A strategic leadership position with real impact on site performance and culture.
• The opportunity to lead a major transformation journey.
• A collaborative, international environment.
• Professional development and growth opportunities.
• A flexible working set‑up with primarily on‑site presence in Uppsala and the possibility to work from home one day per week when needed.

Location

Uppsala, Sweden – this role is primarily on‑site, with some flexibility to work remotely one day per week.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about driving transformation, developing people and delivering measurable results, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and help us build a world‑class Operational Excellence culture at Galderma.

For more information: www.galderma.com/careers