Sr Director, Operational Excellence, WSS

Xylem; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Volunteer Program

Watermark program

EEO & Inclusion

Job summary

Xylem is seeking a senior Lean Continuous Improvement leader to design and drive a global CI program across WSS and multiple geographies. You will manage a team of CI professionals, promote best practices, and report progress to business-unit leadership.

The role requires extensive experience in lean tools, change management, and executive communication, with travel up to 50% internationally and domestically. Join us to advance sustainable water solutions and transform operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in functional area of expertise.
• 10+ years of business experience in a global industrial company with a well-established management system; experience in service businesses preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading significant change efforts across large organizations.
• Proven lean continuous improvement expertise across both operational and transactional business areas.
• Experience leading multiple, large projects across several geographies.
• Ability to strategically partner with peers and leaders, and drive execution in the business.
• Proficiency in coaching, people development and change management.
• Subject matter expert for lean tools and methods (5S, value stream mapping continuous flow, material flow, strategy deployment, A3 thinking, problem solving, managing for daily improvement, etc.).
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and executive communication skills.
• Excellent overall business acumen and organizational savvy.
• Propensity for identifying issues proactively, making decisions with incomplete information, and ability to manage ambiguity.
• Ability to simplify and clarify complex and ambiguous problems.
• Languages: English fluency at a minimum.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally ~50%.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a comprehensive lean continuous improvement strategy for WSS aligned with the business segment’s overall objectives and goals.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement across operational and transactional functions, such as supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, finance, and customer service.
• Apply lean methodologies and other process improvement techniques to analyze existing processes, identify root causes of inefficiencies, and develop solutions.
• Direct and oversee lean continuous improvement projects, ensuring effective project planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Lead and manage a team of global continuous improvement professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and support.
• As a member of the global Operational Excellence leadership team, constantly seek and share best practices across all CI teams in all Xylem businesses.
• Serve on the business unit leadership team and communicate team accomplishments and achievement of CI productivity goals.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by promoting employee engagement, providing training opportunities, and recognizing and rewarding achievements.

Skills

Lean Master

Black Belt

Master Black Belt

Leadership

Executive communication

Coaching

Change management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

5S

Value stream mapping

Continuous flow

A3 thinking

Material flow

Job description

Hybrid

Charlotte, North Carolina

Houston, Texas

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Full time

R49734

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and execute a comprehensive lean continuous improvement strategy for WSS aligned with the business segment’s overall objectives and goals.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement across operational and transactional functions, such as supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, finance, and customer service.

• Apply lean methodologies and other process improvement techniques to analyze existing processes, identify root causes of inefficiencies, and develop solutions.

• Direct and oversee lean continuous improvement projects, ensuring effective project planning, execution, and monitoring.

• Lead and manage a team of global continuous improvement professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and support.

• As a member of the global Operational Excellence leadership team, constantly seek and share best practices across all CI teams in all Xylem businesses.

• Serve on the business unit leadership team and communicate team accomplishments and achievement of CI productivity goals.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by promoting employee engagement, providing training opportunities, and recognizing and rewarding achievements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of business experience in a global industrial company with a well-established management system; experience in service businesses preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in functional area of expertise

• Demonstrated success in leading significant change efforts across large organizations

• Proven lean continuous improvement expertise across both operational and transactional business areas

• Experience leading multiple, large projects across several geographies

• Ability to strategically partner with peers and leaders, and drive execution in the business

• Proficiency in coaching, people development and change management

• Subject matter expert for lean tools and methods (5S, value stream mapping continuous flow, material flow, strategy deployment, A3 thinking, problem solving, managing for daily improvement, etc.)

• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and executive communication skills

• Excellent overall business acumen and organizational savvy

• Propensity for identifying issues proactively, making decisions with incomplete information, and ability to manage ambiguity

• Ability to simplify and clarify complex and ambiguous problems

• Analytical and process thinking

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally ~50%

• Certifications: Lean Master, Black Belt and/or Master Black Belt preferred

• Languages: English fluency at a minimum

#LI-TM1

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affi\ x

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation

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Inclusion and Belonging at Xylem

Inclusion and Belonging are fundamental to how we enable our customers to tackle global water challenges.

Learn more about our commitment to Inclusion and Belonging.

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