Regional Head of Air Business Process Excellence

Maersk; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Maersk is seeking a Regional Head of Air Business Process Excellence to lead end-to-end governance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement for Maersk Air Freight in North America, with a focus on the United States.

You will design, test, implement, and sustain processes while guiding a regional team and influencing senior stakeholders within a complex matrix organization across gateways, branches, and service centers.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in Business Process Excellence, Operational Excellence, Lean, Continuous Improvement, process engineering, governance, or business transformation within freight forwarding, logistics, transportation, or supply chain.
• Experience guiding regional teams and influencing senior stakeholders in a matrix organization is essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Own regional governance for Air Freight processes, procedures, controls, compliance, documentation, and operating standards across end-to-end shipment lifecycle.
• Translate global Operational Excellence standards into a coordinated regional roadmap with locally relevant processes.
• Lead hands-on process discovery, problem solving, and process re-engineering across gateways and branches.
• Establish KPI-driven performance management and tie process measures to customer, operational, and financial outcomes.
• Guide technology and automation integration, partnering with global teams.

Skills

Leadership experience

Lean

Gemba

A3 problem solving

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, International Trade, Supply Chain, Process Engineering

Tools

TMS

Job description

At Maersk, we're transforming global supply chains through end-to-end integrated logistics. As a global leader in connecting and simplifying trade, we help businesses move goods seamlessly across ocean, air, landside transportation, and warehousing, all supported by cutting-edge technology and an extensive global network. We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and able to be themselves. Our team members come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and we value the unique strengths each person contributes. With over 100,000 employees across 130 countries, we work together to shape the future of global trade and logistics.

About the Role

As Regional Head of Air Business Process Excellence, you will lead end-to-end process governance, operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement for Maersk Air Freight across North America, with the primary focus on the United States. You will translate global standards and The Maersk Way into practical, locally relevant execution across gateways, branches, warehouses, and Global Service Center operations. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can design, test, implement, and sustain processes while guiding a regional team and influencing senior stakeholders across a complex matrix organization.

What we offer

This is an exciting career opportunity to work in a truly international company that makes global trade happen. You will be interacting daily with passionate colleagues around the world, giving you the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a global environment. Through the training and support we provide and learning on the job, you will have the chance to truly take your career all the way.

• Shape a highly visible regional function at the center of Air Freight operational performance and transformation.
• Lead practical process design and implementation across major U.S. gateways, from frontline observation through sustained adoption.
• Partner with regional and global leaders across Air Product, Operations, Technology, Customer Experience, Sales, Finance, and People.
• Build Business Process Excellence capability through coaching, training, structured problem solving, and best-practice sharing.

Key responsibilities

• Own regional governance for Air Freight processes, procedures, controls, compliance, documentation, and operating standards across the end-to-end shipment lifecycle.
• Translate global Operational Excellence standards and The Maersk Way into a coordinated regional roadmap with locally relevant processes and clear governance routines.
• Lead hands-on process discovery, Gemba walks, A3 problem solving, deep dives, process mapping, re-engineering, testing, implementation, and stabilization across gateways and branches.
• Establish KPI-driven performance management, use operational data to identify root causes, and connect process measures to customer, operational, and financial outcomes.
• Guide TMS, technology, automation, and AI-enabled process integration, partnering with global process, platform, product, and implementation teams.
• Own and guide applicable operational compliance, including governance associated with TSA screening, K9, quality controls, and specialized business requirements.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately four to five direct reports while overseeing the operating model and process alignment between branches and the Global Service Center.

Who we are looking for

• Significant leadership experience in Business Process Excellence, Operational Excellence, Lean, Continuous Improvement, process engineering, quality, governance, or business transformation within freight forwarding, logistics, transportation, or supply chain.
• Deep, practical Air Freight knowledge and experience working within U.S. operations; candidates must understand the product and the realities of gateway, warehouse, import, export, and service-delivery execution.
• Demonstrated success creating and governing processes from the ground up, rather than only deploying centrally written procedures.
• Proven experience leading large-scale process, system, and change implementations from design through stabilization and sustained adoption.
• Strong capability in Lean methods, Gemba, A3 problem solving, root-cause analysis, process flow and mapping, KPI management, and data-based executive recommendations.
• Ability to lead teams and influence senior stakeholders across functions, countries, and organizational boundaries without relying solely on direct authority.
• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, International Trade, Supply Chain, Process Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Job Type: Full-time Salary: $155,000 - $175,000* Locations: Chicago, Illinois preferred; Atlanta, Georgia or Los Angeles, California may also be considered.

Travel expectations: Approximately 50%, primarily within the United States, with occasional travel to Canada or Mexico based on business needs.

Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States: You must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements. We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers' supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs roughly 100,000 people. With simple end-to-end offering of products and digital services, seamless customer engagement and a superior end-to-end delivery network, Maersk enables its customers to trade and grow by transporting goods anywhere - all over the world. For more information. All the way.