Lean Leader

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and support sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a constant improvement mindset — understanding how work is done, identifying what creates value, and removing what gets in the way. We continuously seek smarter, simpler, and safer ways of operating.

At APM Terminals Spain Gateways, we foster a strong learning and development culture that empowers our people to grow and excel. Our improvement journey is grounded in Lean principles, enabling employees at all levels to build capabilities, influence how we work, and progress in their careers. You will work in a diverse, multinational environment where operational insight, collaboration, and curiosity are highly valued.

We are looking for a Lean Transformation Leader — a true change agent — to lead, coach, and deploy Lean principles, behaviors, and ways of working across all functions within APM Terminals Spain Gateways.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in Lean tools with strong experience in applying Lean thinking in operational and back-office environments, developing continuous improvement cultures, and strengthening structured problem-solving capabilities.

The APMT Business System, driven by the Global Lean Team, is at the heart of each terminal’s daily operations and challenges. In Spain Gateways, Lean deployment means working closely with Heads of Functions and their teams to embed continuous improvement into everyday work — always anchored to business priorities and value creation.

At the core of our Lean approach is a long-term commitment to developing people — leveraging “all the brains in the game” and enabling teams and leaders to work smarter, not harder. Through small, continuous improvements and well-informed strategic initiatives, we drive sustainable performance and long-lasting impact for both our business and our people.

You will join a growing, diverse, and highly collaborative team. We value different perspectives, support one another, and share accountability for results. We are curious, motivated, innovative, and grounded in Lean as our foundation — and we enjoy the journey together.

This role requires initiative, resilience, and strong personal drive. You will work closely with Global Functions and may provide regional support to ensure alignment and effective deployment of global initiatives.

• Lead, coach, and deploy Lean and Flow methodologies across APM Terminals Spain Gateways.
• Drive a strong Kaizen culture, delivering tangible and sustainable improvements, with a particular focus on transactional processes and back-office functions.
• Lead people transition efforts, supporting teams through change and strengthening change management practices, including communication planning and execution.
• Build and sustain effective Daily Management (DM) and Visual Management (VM) systems across all functions, enabling cross-functional performance management and robust closed-loop follow-up.
• Promote strong Lean behaviors and a high-quality A3 problem-solving mindset, developing independent problem solvers across teams and functions.
• Provide structured problem-solving support and Lean / Flow coaching to leaders and teams.
• Drive the implementation of Standardization and Deviations Management, embedding Process Design (PD) into local Lean practices.
• Integrate the Flow program into terminal Lean deployments and ensure adherence to Flow methodology while monitoring effectiveness.
• Foster close collaboration between terminal Flow teams and the Global Flow Team, building local capabilities to sustain Flow rollouts.
• Ensure Lean and Flow deployments are fully anchored to business priorities, focusing on value creation rather than activity.
• Enable cross-gateway learning and standardization, systematically replicating proven practices across Spain Gateways.
• Train Spain Gateways teams through Lean awareness programs and targeted Lean tool training.
• Support the continuous improvement of Lean training materials, particularly for back-office functions, based on Lean maturity and participant feedback.
• Maintain clear ownership of the Operating System — enabling and coaching Lean deployment while performance accountability remains with terminal and functional leadership.
• Focus on behaviors and routines, not only tools — reinforcing leadership practices such as SQDC cadence, Gemba, escalation, and disciplined follow-up.
• Measure success through capability building, ensuring leaders and teams increasingly solve problems independently.
• Lead and support the full rollout of the TWI (Training Within Industry) program, including Job Instructions (JI), to enhance site-wide Lean maturity.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a container terminal environment.
• At least 3 years of experience working with Operating/Business Systems, Process Design, Lean, Kaizen, and Standardization.
• Languages: Spanish & English is mandatory.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Lean tools and methodologies, including:
  • A3 Problem Solving
  • Kaizen
  • Daily Management & Visual Management
  • Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
  • Standard Work / Standard Process
  • 5S
  • Voice of Customer (VOC)
  • Hoshin Kanri
  • Value Selling
• Experience in structured project management and business analysis across core processes (e.g., Order to Cash, Procure to Pay, Hire to Retire, Issue to Resolution).
• Proven ability to facilitate cross-functional teams and build ownership and accountability in transformation initiatives.
• Experience working across cultures and functions in complex organizations.
• Strong influencing, training, and coaching skills at all organizational levels; trusted business partner mindset.
• Solid experience in Change and Transition Management.
• TWI Job Instruction / Job Relations (JI/JR) experience and strong business acumen.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Well respected within organizations — seen as someone others want to learn from and work with.
• Self-driven, resilient, and committed to excellence.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and/or Certified Lean Advanced Practitioner (Level 4) are strong advantages.
• Additional Lean and Project Management certifications are considered a plus.