Remote Head of Operations Excellence

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Equity participation

Health insurance

Home office stipend

Flexible hours

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Head of Operations Excellence to lead our global operations from a remote capacity. You will design and implement best-in-class strategies, drive continuous improvement, and foster a culture of operational excellence across the organization.

The role requires 10+ years in operations, a Master’s degree, and proven Lean Six Sigma expertise, with strong leadership, stakeholder management, and ability to travel occasionally for strategic meetings.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Proven experience leading operations excellence initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement across global operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive operations excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the design and execution of continuous improvement initiatives across all operational areas.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies throughout the organization.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency, cost reduction, and quality enhancement.
• Develop and standardize operational procedures, policies, and best practices.
• Establish KPIs and metrics to monitor operational performance.
• Coach and mentor teams on operational excellence principles.
• Conduct assessments and audits to identify improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to drive change.
• Manage a portfolio of improvement projects and ensure timely delivery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Lean & Six Sigma

Change management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Remote leadership

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration / Operations Management / Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in its field, is seeking an innovative and strategic Remote Head of Operations Excellence to join their distributed leadership team. This fully remote role will be responsible for developing and implementing best-in-class operational strategies, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and fostering a culture of operational excellence across the entire organization. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies, with a proven ability to transform operational performance. You will work closely with various departments to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, and enhance overall productivity. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned operations leader to shape and define operational standards from a remote capacity, driving significant impact on business outcomes. We are looking for a visionary leader who can inspire change and implement sustainable operational improvements. Your expertise will be critical in optimizing our global operations and ensuring we maintain a competitive edge. Join us in revolutionizing how we operate and deliver value to our customers worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive operations excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the design and execution of continuous improvement initiatives across all operational areas.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies throughout the organization.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency, cost reduction, and quality enhancement.
• Develop and standardize operational procedures, policies, and best practices.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to monitor operational performance.
• Coach and mentor teams on operational excellence principles and tools.
• Conduct operational assessments and audits to identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to drive change and embed operational excellence.
• Manage a portfolio of improvement projects, ensuring timely and successful delivery.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management and process improvement.
• Extensive experience in implementing Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement frameworks.
• Proven track record of driving significant operational improvements and achieving measurable results.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and change management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation abilities.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in a fully remote leadership capacity is essential.
• Familiarity with various industry best practices and operational models.
• Ability to travel occasionally for strategic meetings or site visits if required.

Benefits

• Exceptional annual salary of ZAR, reflecting the senior nature of the role.
• Significant performance-based bonus and potential for equity participation.
• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous home office setup and ongoing technology stipend.
• Budget for professional development, conferences, and advanced training.
• Unlimited paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Opportunity to lead strategic initiatives in a global, remote-first company.