Operational Excellence Lead / Coordinator

The Operational Excellence Lead/Coordinator will be instrumental in developing, implementing, and managing strategies to enhance operational efficiency and performance. This involves coordinating the annual improvement plan, establishing performance indicators, and reporting on progress to management. The role focuses on driving continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and 6S methodologies, aiming to reduce waste and optimize resource utilization. A key aspect is championing Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Autonomous Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and overall equipment effectiveness. The coordinator will also manage cross-functional improvement projects, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and management systems, and contribute to capability building through training and coaching stakeholders in operational excellence principles. Furthermore, the role explores the application of AI-enabled tools for data-driven improvement decisions and manages project resources effectively.

1. Coordinate the implementation of the Operational Excellence roadmap and annual improvement plans, aligning with business priorities.
2. Establish practical improvement standards, project controls, performance indicators, and management dashboards.
3. Assess current performance against targets, identify gaps, and coordinate action plans to achieve revised company targets.
4. Provide concise reports to management on performance, benefits, risks, barriers, and required interventions.
5. Coordinate Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 6S, visual management, process mapping, and structured problem-solving initiatives.
6. Prioritize improvement projects based on operational data, business impact, and available resources.
7. Drive the reduction of waste, scrap, rework, downtime, and process variation while improving throughput and resource utilization.
8. Ensure approved improvements are documented, standardized, sustained, and replicated where relevant.
9. Champion Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Autonomous Maintenance (AM) in collaboration with Production and Engineering teams.
10. Establish AM baselines for priority equipment and coordinate progression through approved steps to target maturity levels.
11. Improve equipment reliability, availability, utilization, planned maintenance compliance, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
12. Monitor TPM and AM implementation milestones and coordinate the closure of agreed assessment, audit, and review actions.
13. Coordinate cross-functional improvement initiatives involving various departments like Production, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain.
14. Define project scope, milestones, responsibilities, and expected benefits, escalating material delays or barriers.
15. Validate operational and financial benefits with relevant functions and maintain concise project records and lessons learned.
16. Embed safety, health, environmental, and quality requirements into all improvement initiatives, ensuring changes do not introduce uncontrolled risks.
17. Support the continual improvement of company policies, procedures, and applicable standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 17025, IATF).
18. Participate in audits and assessments, monitoring the timely closure of relevant findings.
19. Assess capability gaps and deliver practical training, coaching, and facilitation in Lean, Kaizen, TPM, AM, and structured problem-solving.
20. Develop Kaizen champions and strengthen accountability for improvement across all management and employee levels.
21. Engage stakeholders, communicate change purpose and progress, and address barriers to adoption and sustainability.
22. Coordinate Operational Excellence activities through existing departmental and assigned cross-functional project teams.
23. Provide practical guidance, coaching, and facilitation without assuming line-management responsibility for participating employees.
24. Explore and support the application of AI-enabled tools and analytics to identify trends, strengthen performance monitoring, and support data-driven improvement decisions.
25. Manage assigned project resources within approved budgets, policies, and delegated authority.

1. Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
2. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is desirable; Kaizen, TPM, Project Management, or ISO Auditor certification is an added advantage.
3. Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
4. Practical responsibility for coordinating or leading Operational Excellence, Lean, Kaizen, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, or continuous improvement initiatives.
5. Demonstrated experience in delivering cross-functional projects and achieving measurable, sustained improvements in productivity, cost, quality, or equipment performance.
6. Exposure to, or practical experience in, applying, piloting, or integrating AI-enabled tools or analytics within Operational Excellence (e.g., process optimization, predictive insights, performance monitoring, data-driven decision-making) is an added advantage.
7. Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, influence without direct authority, and deliver sustainable business results.
8. Strong understanding of Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, and Kaizen principles.
9. Proficiency in Total Productive Maintenance, Autonomous Maintenance, 6S, and Visual Management.
10. Knowledge of Equipment Reliability and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
11. Expertise in Root-Cause Analysis, Process Mapping, and Structured Problem-Solving.
12. Strong Project and Change Management skills.
13. Ability to perform Operational Data Analysis and Benefits Validation.
14. Awareness of AI-Enabled Tools and Analytics for Operational Excellence.
15. Strategic and Systems Thinking with a strong results orientation and accountability.
16. Ability to influence without direct authority and foster stakeholder collaboration.
17. Excellent training, coaching, and facilitation skills.
18. High level of integrity, sound judgment, and attention to detail.