Head of Operations Performance IAM

ContiTech; Fairlawn (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Continental is seeking a senior leader to strengthen operational performance across the plant network by establishing transparency and disciplined governance. The role drives KPI management, benchmarking, and cross‑functional collaboration to提升 performance and cost efficiency.

You will lead recovery programs, coordinate improvements, and provide data‑driven recommendations to senior operations leadership. This position requires extensive international experience and business‑fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or comparable field.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain standardized KPI, reporting, and performance review processes across IAM Operations to ensure transparent and fact‑based decision‑making.
• Drive governance and follow‑up for Autonomous, Improvement, and Critical/Turnaround Plants to ensure accountability and timely execution of actions.
• Assess plant performance and risk, recommend classifications, and manage reclassification based on defined criteria and performance evolution.
• Lead cross‑plant benchmarking and best‑practice deployment to drive operational excellence and measurable improvements.
• Coordinate improvement priorities across IAM plants, product networks, functions, and subject‑matter experts.
• Lead and coordinate structured recovery programs for Critical/Turnaround Plants to achieve performance and sustainability targets.
• Provide data‑driven recommendations to IAM Operations leadership on priorities, resource allocation, and network optimization.
• Lead the IAM Operations Performance Office, ensuring team performance and delivery of strategic operational objectives.

Skills

KPI management

Cross-functional leadership

Performance governance

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering / Operations

Lean Six Sigma / Operational Excellence certification

Job description

Company Description

THE COMPANY

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation.

Are you ready to shape the future with us?

The mission of the position is to enable and strengthen operational performance across the plant network by creating transparency, ensuring disciplined performance governance and driving cross-plant improvement. The role monitors and analyzes key performance indicators, identifies performance gaps and emerging risks, coordinates structured reviews and follow‑up, and drives benchmarking and replication of proven practices across the network. It prepares fact‑based recommendations and escalations for the Head of Operations and, when specifically mandated, leads temporary cross‑functional recovery taskforces for critical or underperforming operations.

Job Description

1. Performance Governance & Transparency – Establish and maintain standardized KPI, reporting, and performance review processes across IAM Operations to ensure transparent and fact‑based decision‑making.

2. Performance Reviews & Action Follow‑up – Drive the governance and follow‑up process for Autonomous, Improvement, and Critical/Turnaround Plants, ensuring accountability and timely execution of agreed actions.

3. Plant Classification & Performance Risk Assessment – Assess plant performance and risk, recommend plant classifications, and manage reclassification based on defined criteria and performance evolution.

4. Benchmarking & Cross-Plant Improvement – Lead cross‑plant benchmarking and best‑practice deployment across IAM to drive operational excellence and measurable performance improvements.

5. Product Network & Cross‑Functional Coordination – Coordinate operational improvement priorities across IAM plants, product networks, functions, and subject‑matter experts to address business needs and systemic challenges.

6. Recovery & Turnaround Management – Lead and coordinate structured recovery programs for Critical/Turnaround Plants, ensuring achievement of defined performance and sustainability targets.

7. Management Decision Support & Network Optimization – Provide data‑driven recommendations to IAM Operations leadership on performance priorities, resource allocation, network optimization, and improvement initiatives.

8. Leadership of the Operations Performance Office – Lead the IAM Operations Performance Office, ensuring effective team performance, capability development, and delivery of strategic operational improvement objectives.

Qualifications

Education / Certification: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a comparable field; certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, or Operational Excellence are preferred.

Professional Experience: 8-10 years of manufacturing and operations experience with a strong background in operational performance, continuous improvement, KPI management, productivity, quality, delivery, and cost optimization across multiple operational functions.

Project and Process Experience: Demonstrated success in leading cross‑functional and cross‑plant improvement initiatives, performance management programs, benchmarking activities, recovery programs, and sustainable operational transformation efforts.

Leadership Experience: Proven leadership experience in manufacturing environments with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence within matrix organizations, and drive performance through accountability and collaboration.

Intercultural / International Experience: Extensive experience working in international and multicultural organizations, with the ability to collaborate effectively across countries, functions, and management levels; business‑fluent English required.

Additional Information

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas now or in the future for this job posting.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [e-mail] or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non‑disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.