Senior Director, Operational Excellence

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in lean continuous improvement methodologies and project management, with a strong focus on driving operational efficiency and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Proven ability to lead and mentor teams while effectively communicating across all levels of the organization.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Lean Continuous Improvement Expertise
• Project Management
• Coaching and People Development
• Change Management
• Analytical and Process Thinking

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Lean Methodologies
• 5S
• Value Stream Mapping
• Continuous Flow
• Material Flow
• Strategy Deployment
• A3 Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Managing for Daily Improvement

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Interpersonal Skills
• Executive Communication
• Decision-Making
• Employee Engagement

Certifications & Qualifications

• Lean Master
• Black Belt
• Master Black Belt

Industry Keywords

• Operational Excellence
• Process Improvement
• Supply Chain
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• Finance
• Customer Service
• Global Industrial Company
• Service Businesses