Director, Operational Excellence & Digitalization

Job Description Summary:

The Coca-Cola Company is an iconic brand recognized globally, not just for our products but for our commitment to innovation and excellence in everything we do. We are currently seeking a visionary Director, Strategy and Business Development - Operational Effectiveness & Business Improvement to join our dedicated team. This pivotal role demands a strategic thinker with a proven track record in delivering transformative business improvements and a passion for operational excellence. The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, has outstanding analytical skills, and is adept at steering cross-functional teams towards a common goal.

Our culture encourages continuous improvement, learning and relearning. We prioritize safety, quality, environment, productivity and sustainability, working with purpose and delivering results. We believe and trust in our people and the diversity of our teams, to continue to thrive after more than 130 years of creating beloved brands, looking forward on a better future for all.

• Increasing Plant efficiency and productivity by leading and driving Plant of the Future (PoF).
• Lead Operational Excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across all functional areas within the Site.
• Provide governance and lead the implementation of global OE initiatives and local PoF roadmap.
• Ensure use cases adoption and lead local OE/regular productivity projects.
• Fostering a culture of excellence, monitoring, and tracking key performance metrics.
• Ensuring the adoption of the tools and system as part of the CPS Digital Operating System.

• Plant of the Future Framework: Lead the PoF annual diagnostic and implementation plan following the framework – bootcamp, data collection and data analysis, resources allocation, timelines, stakeholders’ management, KPIs and impacts, training and coaching for the local team, communication, and project management routines. Lead the design and implementation phases by prioritizing the use cases and digital solutions to improve site performance. Ensure the sustainability of the PoF delivering a multiyear plan for the Plant and track the progress through the PMO process.
   
• Business Plan: Align the local operational plans with the CPS Transformation Strategy, while anticipating plant specifics opportunities and trends to facilitate long-term strategy supported by the 3-year Transformation Roadmap.
   
• Performance Improvement: Analyse data and trends to identify areas for improvement at every level of the Plant and all functions. Facilitate target setting aligned to CPS goals, tracking and report on key performance indicators (Tier 1, 2 and 3) ensure optimal site performance. Develop and implement action plans to address these opportunities in collaboration with the functional areas.
   
• Program Management: Oversee and coordinate multiple related initiatives under a Plant of the Future (PoF) Framework, OE and Strategic Projects to achieve Plant Transformation goals.  Responsible for orchestrating, facilitating, coordinating, and streamlining the management of various projects and programs. Establishes best practices, provides support, improves communication, and ultimately drives better decision-making for project teams and stakeholders. Identifies, assesses, and manages risks across all projects. Report progress, deliverables and impacts in global PMO sessions.
   
• Digital Operating System: Drive standardization by implementing and adopting the standard core modules as part of the DOS.
   
• Operational Excellence Basics: Lead Kaizen workshop applying OE tools, such as value stream mapping, visual management, 5S, SMED and material and process flow to maximize process efficiency and deliver productivity.
   
• Capability Building and OE Culture: Train, coach, and mentor local leadership and front-line leaders, and employees at all levels on operational excellence tools and culture. Cultivate an operational excellence culture by promoting best practices, fostering employee engagement, and recognizing achievements within the Plant.

• Aligning Plant operations to CPS Transformation Strategy: Lead communication about the CPS Vision and Transformation Strategy speaking in specifics and being clear about what is expected from each individual.
   
• Lead regular local Show and Tells to communicate the progress of the PoF plan and to engage associates in our CPS Transformation Strategy and share best practices with the CPS Network (applicable only for Fast Follower Plants)
   
• Cross-functional collaboration: Needs to communicate effectively with diverse teams and functional areas, such as Maintenance and Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Finance, Planning and Logistics, QSE and People and Culture. This requires adapting communication styles and techniques to suit different audiences and ensure a clear understanding of objectives and expectations.
   
• Change management: Leading change initiatives can involve resistance from various parties, requiring the Plant OE Director to navigate difficult conversations and negotiate compromises while maintaining focus on the overall objectives. This may require empathetic listening, persuasive arguments, and conflict resolution skills. Support communication efforts by enabling the design, developing, delivering and managing key communications related with the CPS Transformation Strategy and Operational Excellence Culture.

• Aligning all the elements of Operations towards achieving incremental performance improvement through a robust governance process to ensure adherence to the standards, identify and prioritize enhancements.
• Analyze data and trends to identify areas for improvement at every level of the Plant and all functions.

• Digital Operating System: Collaborate to define the standards for the Core Modules sharing internal and external best practices from industries.
• PoF: Adoption of the Use Cases developed by the Lighthouses Plants and provide feedback for future enhancements and new functionalities based on the user experience.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field. Preferred post-graduate degree or MBA.
• +8 years (with at least +3 years specifically in LEAN/Six Sigma within Supply Chain operations) in Supply Chain.
• Prior experience in a project management role, preferably in food, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrable experience managing Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methods such as LEAN, TPM, and 6 Sigma.
• Strong knowledge with Lean projects and methodology.
• Expertise in business transformation and process improvement roles using proven problem solving/continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with change management and influencing organizational culture change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Support implementation of Business Systems in the operation such as SAP, MES, BMS, EMS and Lean Six Sigma.
• Lean certification preferred
• Mini-Tab Experience preferred.
• Green Belt Certification preferred.
• MS Excel, PowerPoint
   

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership capabilities with a knack for influencing individuals and teams without direct authority. Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence without authority.

• English and Spanish - ADVANCED

• Strategic Planning
• Operational Excellence
• Data Analytics
• Lean / Six Sigma
• Project Management and Agile
• Customer Focus
• Capability Building
• Communication and Influencing Skills
• Change Management

• Iconic Brand: Work on the most recognized brand in the world and be part of developing the brand's next chapter.
• Exposure to World Class Leaders: Availability to global manufacturing leaders that will expand your network.
• Career Growth: We are committed to your professional development, offering opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Engage in work that makes a real difference and enhances lives all around the world.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a team that values diversity and fosters a workplace where everyone can thrive.
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports both your professional growth and personal well-being.
• Global Network: Become part of a global community, learning from diverse perspectives and practices.

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Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.