Sr Director, Operational Excellence, WSS

Xylem; Town of Charlotte (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Volunteer Program

Employee Resource Groups (ERG)

Job summary

Xylem is seeking a seasoned leader to design and drive a comprehensive lean continuous improvement strategy across the Water Solutions segment. You will influence both operational and transactional areas and mentor a global team of CI professionals.

The role requires deep Lean Master/Black Belt expertise, strong executive communication, and extensive project leadership across geographies. Travel ~50% is expected, with a focus on delivering measurable productivity gains for a worldwide customer

Qualifications

• 10+ years of business experience in a global industrial company with a well-established management system; service experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the relevant field.
• Proven lean continuous improvement expertise across both operational and transactional areas.
• Experience leading multiple large projects across geographies.
• Ability to strategically partner with peers and leaders and drive execution.
• Coaching, people development and change management skills.
• Subject matter expert for lean tools and methods (5S, value stream mapping, continuous flow, material flow, strategy deployment, A3 thinking, problem solving).
• Strong interpersonal, leadership and executive communication skills.
• Fluency in English at a minimum.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a comprehensive lean CI strategy for WSS aligned with business objectives.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement across operations and transactional functions.
• Apply lean methodologies to analyze processes and root causes of inefficiencies and develop solutions.
• Direct and oversee lean CI projects with solid planning, execution and monitoring.
• Lead and mentor a global team of CI professionals and share best practices.

Skills

Lean management

Change management

Leadership

Strategic partnering

Coaching

Executive communication

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

5S

Value stream mapping

A3 thinking

Continuous improvement

Job description

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 Aff…?

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