Director Lab Operational Excellence

JOB DESCRIPTION
***Global location is flexible near a ULS integrated laboratory****
The Director Lab Operational Excellence is a strategic leader responsible for owning and evolving the "Performance Process Testing" framework across global operations. This role drives harmonization, streamlining, and continuous improvement initiatives by applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies and change management principles. The Director collaborates cross-functionally to identify inefficiencies, implement sustainable solutions, and foster a culture of operational excellence.
A key element of this role includes leveraging the Business Process Maturity Model (BPMM) to evaluate and improve the organization's process management capabilities. The BPMM shall provide a structured framework to guide the organization through evolutionary stages; from actual ad hoc and reactive processes to optimized and continuously improving operations.
In addition, the Director holds disciplinary responsibility for sub-process owners across critical operational domains, including Order Management, Electrical Testing, Chemical/Mechanical Testing, Calibration, and others. This includes performance management, coaching, and accountability for process outcomes within each area.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Process Ownership & Optimization
  • Lead the design, execution, and governance of the Performance Process Testing framework.
  • Use BPMM to assess current process maturity and define improvement roadmaps.
  • Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities across lines and departments.
  • Drive reduction in the number of SOPs per line/area through simplification and standardization.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Initiatives
  • Apply DMAIC and PDCA methodologies to lead improvement projects from ideation to implementation.
  • Facilitate Kaizen events, root cause analyses, and value stream mapping sessions.
  • Promote lean thinking and operational efficiency across global teams.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
  • Partner with lab managers, quality leaders, and cross-functional teams to reduce their involvement in redundant quality activities.
  • Influence and guide teams through transformation initiatives with clear communication and training.
• Performance Metrics & Reporting
  • Define and track KPIs related to productivity, cost efficiency, and SOP reduction.
  • Develop dashboards and reports to communicate progress and impact to senior leadership.
• Global Alignment & Best Practice Sharing
  • Ensure harmonization of processes across regions and business units.
  • Benchmark internal and external best practices to continuously elevate operational standards.

QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical field. Master's degree preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification required. PMP or Change Management certifications are a plus.
• Proficiency in process mapping tools (e.g., Visio), data analysis (Excel, Power BI), and project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira).
• Strong analytical thinking, communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence without authority.
• English fluency required; additional language skills are beneficial for regional coordination.

Skills Required:

• Leadership Through Influence: Guide global process discipline and harmonization; engage and align stakeholders across regions, often without direct authority.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of testing methodologies, laboratory operations, and quality systems.
• Process Ownership: Proven ability to manage, approve, and optimize technical processes with cross-functional impact.
• Quality & Compliance: Familiarity with audit processes, SOP management, and regulatory standards (ISO, IEC, ASTM).
• Continuous Improvement: Hands-on experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to drive operational efficiency and process optimization.
• Project Management: Strategic planning and execution for process improvement, lab expansion, consolidation, and optimization.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Strong communication skills; ability to collaborate with lab managers, quality leaders, and technical stakeholders globally.
• Training & Competence Building: Experience designing and delivering technical training programs and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze technical data, assess impact, and drive process improvements.
• Governance & Approval Authority: Experience in approving and governing process standards within integrated lab environments.

For US based candidates: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $165,600 to $220,800 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 30% of the base salary and long term incentive plan with a target payout of 30% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (20 days), holiday including floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).
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