Operational Excellence Leader

A brief overview

The role of the Operational Excellence Leader is to lead and mentor teams in the implementation of Lean Six Sigma methodologies to drive operational excellence and improve business processes. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leading complex projects, developing and implementing process improvements.

In this critical role, you will be responsible for supporting the transformation of our operational processes for Bachem Americas sites and functions in line with the Bachem Group operational excellence strategy, including but not limited to set up of a fully aligned KPI system across the operation in all sites, consistent measurement and shop floor management across all plants, implementation and mentoring of Six Sigma belts and set up of key improvement projects and targets.

Your mission will be to own the continuous improvement initiative portfolio for Bachem Americas, mentor improvement programs, optimize processes, enhance productivity, and ensure sustainable cost efficiencies. You will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align operational strategies with business objectives, fostering a culture of excellence throughout the organization.

What you will do

• Safety & Quality: ensure consistency and prioritization of safety and quality behaviors through shopfloor processes and metrics.
• Strategic Leadership: develop and implement a comprehensive Operational Excellence strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives; Identify opportunities for improvement across the entire value chain, from procurement to production to delivery.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: collaborate with department heads, site managers, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment of operational excellence initiatives with business goals; Act as a change agent to promote a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.
• Team Development: build and mentor a team of passionate improvement ambassadors (green/black belts) across functions and sites and support the development of their skills and the execution of improvement projects.
• Performance Management: establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of Operational Excellence initiatives and monitor overall performance of the end-to-end operations processes across functions; monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed to ensure that targets are met.
• Cost Optimization: ensure and manage a list of continuous improvement opportunities balanced between shopfloor improvement, production process improvement and business process improvement; Quantify impact on operational costs, increased efficiency, and improved profitability. Follow up on delivery of proposed improvement potential.
• Sustainability & Compliance: ensure that all transformation initiatives are sustainable and comply with industry regulations and safety standards; Promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility.
• Change Management: develop and execute change management plans to ensure smooth implementation of new processes and systems; Engage employees at all levels to gain buy-in and support for transformation initiatives.
• Innovation: stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in operational excellence; Introduce innovative solutions that drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, manufacturing, operations management, or related field
• Master's Degree or MBA preferred
• 10+ years of experience in operational excellence, process improvement, or manufacturing management, preferably in the chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale OpEx transformation projects with measurable success.
• Strong expertise in Lean Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Green or Black Belt required (Black Belt preferred)
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and motivate others at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability in developing and mentoring talent (critical for MBB as they need to mentor belts through their certification and projects)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with business goals.
• Experience in managing change in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Knowledge of industry regulations, safety standards, and sustainability practices.
• Ability to travel to different office locations or facilities as needed.

Base salary range: $157,338 - $200,000

Placement of new hires in these wage ranges is based on several factors including education, skill sets, experience, and training.

Total Rewards

We offer all Team Members a total rewards package including competitive pay, annual performance bonus, a generous benefit package with comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision coverage, 401(k) plan with employer contribution, and paid vacation, personal and sick days.

 Corporate Social Responsibility

 Bachem takes responsibility for future generations by a careful handling of resources and avoiding environmental risks. We continually improve our ecological performance and develop and implement new approaches for enhancing employees’ environmental awareness.  EcoVadis has awarded Bachem Gold Medal status in their assessment of Bachem.

Bachem Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate the diversity of our team and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where individuals are hired and advanced based on merit, skills, and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other legally protected status.