Head of Industrial Innovation

TK Elevator (TKE) is a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility, providing engineering — from design through installation, maintenance and modernization — for elevators, escalators, moving walkways, passenger boarding bridges, stairlifts, platform lifts and home elevators. TKE employs more than 50.000 people around the world, being present in more than 100 countries.

From our engineering and manufacturing site in Mieres, Asturias, TKAS offers a full portfolio of airport apron and gate mobility solutions. Our passenger boarding bridges connect terminals to aircraft safely and efficiently. Our ground support equipment covers preconditioned air, ground power units and potable water units for aircraft turnaround. Our advanced visual docking guidance systems (A-VDGS), including the LiDAR-based Apron Vision, ensure precise and safe aircraft docking.

Our digital solutions — MAX Automate, MAX Monitor & Control and MAX Maintenance Manager — bring AI and remote operation to the apron.

Joining TKAS means working on real engineering challenges at global scale, combining German engineering heritage with a strong local team in Asturias, and contributing to safer, smarter and more sustainable airport infrastructure.

The Head of Industrial Innovation will be responsible for defining and executing the transformation roadmap for TKAS's industrial operations. The role will link strategy, technology, and execution to modernize manufacturing, logistics, and the supply chain, enhancing safety, quality, productivity, sustainability, flexibility, and schedule adherence.

• Define and lead the global industrial innovation strategy and the Factory of the Future vision, ensuring alignment with the company’s growth objectives.
• Develop and implement automation, digitalization, and advanced manufacturing initiatives to optimize production processes and accelerate new product industrialization.
• Drive the adoption of innovative technologies such as robotics, IIoT, digital twins, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital manufacturing systems.
• Optimize logistics and material flow processes through automation, traceability, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Strengthen supply chain resilience and competitiveness through advanced planning, risk management, supplier development, localization strategies, and digital collaboration.
• Lead operational excellence programs based on Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and collaborate with key business functions to ensure the successful execution and scalability of transformation initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and change management, building partnerships with universities, research centers, technology providers, startups, and industrial partners.
• Establish governance, performance monitoring, and value measurement frameworks to ensure sustainable and scalable business impact from innovation initiatives.

• Proven experience in complex industrial operations, preferably with multi-site or international responsibilities.
• Demonstrable track record of leading transformations that delivered quantifiable impacts on productivity, lead time, quality, capacity, inventory, or cost.
• Direct experience in automation, industrial digitalization, product industrialization, and/or supply chain transformation.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and cross-functional programs without relying solely on hierarchical authority.
• Experience managing business cases, investments, technology vendors, and organizational adoption.

• University degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering, Industrial…