Head of Operational Excellence

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 2,992,000 - 3,989,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work with global teams

Competitive salary

Professional development benefits

Comprehensive health coverage

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Head of Operational Excellence to lead a remote-first transformation. You will develop and implement an enterprise-wide strategy, driving Lean Six Sigma adoption, process optimization, and KPI improvements.

This is a senior leadership role guiding a global, remote team across multiple functions. Ideal candidates hold a Master's degree, a Black Belt or Master Black Belt, and 10+ years in operational excellence with 5+ years in leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, MBA or related field.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma is mandatory.
• 10+ years in operational excellence with 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record delivering impact via Lean Six Sigma and process improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication and change-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global operational excellence strategy.
• Lead and mentor a global team of improvement specialists.
• Champion Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen and related methodologies.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction.
• Drive measurable KPI improvements across cost, quality, delivery and safety.
• Deliver training on operational excellence principles and tools.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops and projects.
• Establish SOPs and best practices for key processes.
• Monitor progress and report to executive leadership.
• Foster a culture of problem-solving and continuous learning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Engineering or Business Administration

Tools

Process mapping

Data analysis

PM tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, is seeking an exceptional Head of Operational Excellence to spearhead transformation initiatives from a remote-first environment. This senior leadership position is designed for an individual passionate about driving efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement across all facets of the organization's operations. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive operational excellence strategy, leveraging methodologies like Lean Six Sigma to achieve significant gains in productivity, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction. This role requires a visionary leader who can inspire change and foster a culture of relentless improvement, regardless of physical location. The focus will be on impact and results, enabled by robust remote collaboration tools and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global operational excellence strategy aligned with the company's strategic objectives.
• Lead and mentor a global team of operational improvement specialists and continuous improvement champions.
• Implement and champion Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies across the organization.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and efficiency gains.
• Drive measurable improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost, quality, delivery, and safety.
• Develop and deliver training programs on operational excellence principles and tools.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops and projects to address complex operational challenges.
• Establish best practices and standard operating procedures for operational processes.
• Monitor and report on the progress of operational excellence initiatives to executive leadership.
• Foster a culture of problem-solving and continuous learning throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma is mandatory.
• 10+ years of experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or related roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing operational excellence programs and delivering significant business results.
• Extensive experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to drive change across diverse teams.
• Experience in managing global teams and remote operations is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in process mapping, data analysis, and project management tools.
• Ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely to all levels of the organization.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including advanced health coverage, a robust retirement savings plan, and substantial performance-based bonuses.

Our client is committed to fostering a flexible and inclusive work environment, supporting work-life balance.

You will have access to continuous professional development, cutting-edge virtual collaboration tools, and the opportunity to shape the operational future of a leading global company.

This role offers significant autonomy and impact.