Operations Excellence Manager

Who we are

Every life is unique and so are you!

At Dräger we protect, support and rescue lives day in and day out. We are interested in you if you have the desire to work for an organisation that does something more, something that is truly worth working for.

As an international leader in medical and safety technology, we develop pioneering devices, software, services and solutions that people around the world trust. Wherever Dräger products are used, it's about the most important thing: it's about life.

About the role

Strategy and Development

• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice operational excellence and production engineering; planning vision, strategy, policies, processes, and procedures to aid and improve operational performance.
• Determine the optimal roll-out approach for the deployment at each site. Establish both short and long- term (6 months - 3 years) strategies and implementation plans that will allow leveraging the program and Continuous improvement culture for sustained and long-term benefit. Also ensure that Best Practices from the global Operations network are adopted and leveraged.
• Working with international sites, track and validate all improvements and savings (P&L impact, cost avoidance) attributed to the projects under the continuous improvement programme. This includes incorporating the projects into plant budgets and maintaining/building a project funnel for the next 12-36 months.
• Develop and execute an overall Operations Excellence strategy, CI initiatives relating to efficiencies and quality, and innovation of customer experiences pertaining to end to end value streams.
• Develop reporting and tracking mechanisms for business productivity progress and opportunity identification.

General and Task Management

• Design, prove, implement, and maintain production systems to deliver product on time, to quality requirements and to cost.
•  Drive functional operational excellence throughout the team.
• Drive continuous improvement activities in quality, cycle times, process improvement, machine availability through lean techniques and value engineering to enhance the capability of existing processes and remove waste.
• Drive validation plans to ensure robust and comprehensive technical solutions.
• Provide technical inputs to bids for new business and facilitate successful outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project plans and budget profiles to ensure delivery of milestones to agreed cost targets and timescales.
•  Identify and justify capital equipment investment.
• Analyse and improve material usage throughout the value stream.
• Analyse downtime, identify trends and develop solutions.
• Ensure accuracy of Operational and Production Engineering procedures and documentation
•  Attend various meetings and action/communicate instructions.
• Produce written reports and make presentations.
• Undertake continuous training and development.
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems.
• Identify business improvement opportunities within the organisation.
•  Identify and deploy the technical skill sets, resource levels and systems to deliver projects, including the engagement of external resources as required.
• Develop, implement, and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for each area of responsibility.
•  Ensure KPIs are met by working to the overall plan, including management of, and reporting.
• Conduct risk assessments of processes and tasks in the department
• Execute process improvement programs using concepts such as Lean and Six Sigma tools such as DMAIC, Gemba, Kaizen, A3 thinking, Control Charts, Value Stream Analysis, 5S, Error Proofing, Visual Management, etc.
• Responsible for disseminating Lean leadership (including facilitating Lean workshops), developing and coaching OE concepts and change management capabilities, and cultivating a CI culture.

People Management

•  Ensure the delivery of the People Strategy within area of accountability.
• Manage and lead the team, ensuring adequate staffing levels, managing holiday allowances, recruitment, training, development, appraisal, attendance, disciplinary issues and daily supervision to maximise efficient productivity.
• Motivate and coach the team to operational success.
• Monitor the completion of tasks and ensure good performance and record on appropriate systems.
• Consistently promote high standards through personal example and roll out through the team so that each member of the team understands the standards and behaviours expected of them.
• Review, implement and update company records e.g., training matrices, performance reviews, risk assessments.
• Lead the team in new product and process introduction.
• Set department objectives/KPIs and review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports.
• Communicate KPIs from the strategic annual plan so that each employee is aware.
• Report on achievement of targets and identify any actions required.
• Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors.
•  Provide technical expertise to the team.
•  Recruit and train best in class CI professionals while supporting and mentor ambitious team members in their career and personal development, at all levels of the Company.

Financial Budget and Control

• Hold responsibility for departmental budget.
• Responsible for achieving budget and forecast.

Relationship Management

• Collaborates with International Operations and Plant leadership, to ensure programs/projects deliver on expectations. Identify gaps and develops plans to mitigate any potential risks. Ensures alignment with corporate & business expectations on continuous improvement targets.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance. Represent the Operations Excellence function on inter-department and cross-department initiatives.
• Work collaboratively, negotiate and engage with key stakeholders to facilitate delivery and compliance with the operations strategy.
• Communicate with stakeholders the impact of market change and potential effects on supply chain, operations and manufacturing design and development. Recommend solutions without compromising quality or service while optimising cost.
• Stay current and up to date on any technology changes that may affect operations design and development and advise others of any impact.
• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on operations activities.
• Liaise and communicate with other departments, customers, suppliers, and other service providers.
• Work as part of the Management team to share ideas and improve operations, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimise results and improve quality of delivery, in line with quality standards requirements delivery in line with Company and Customer requirements.
• Ensure an effective interface with other departmental staff is maintained.
• Build strong partnerships with plant and functional leaders to facilitate project identification and selection process.
•  Be the objective consultant for best practices throughout International Operations and motivate and instil a culture of excellence.

LVA responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring product and process related product modifications are carried out in daughter companies to cover country specific requirements and business needs, with a view to
• structuring the described LVA issues along the defined logistic distribution highways.
• The tasks and responsibilities above are typical of the duties the postholder will be expected to perform. It is not necessarily exhaustive and other duties of a similar nature and level may be required from time to time.

Shared responsibilities

All employees have a responsibility:

• to comply with the Integrated Management System (IMS) and minimise any impact on the environment whilst carrying out their duties.
•  to ensure and promote safe working conditions for all employees, visitors and contractors by implementing, monitoring and complying with occupational health & safety provisions.
•  to embed our WeLEAD competencies – I build trust, I create value for the customer, I enable others, I provide direction, I embrace diversity, I deliver results.

Reporting Relationships

Manager

• Head of Operations UK

Size of team/environment

• Operations Excellence team – X6 direct reports, no sub team

 Role Requirements

Education/Qualifications

• Business degree with Lean Six Sigma black belt or Master Black Belt certification (Desirable)

Related Experience 

• Vast experience in Operations /Operational Excellence roles applying “lean” principles.
• Vast experience in a high tech/manufacturing environment.
• Track record of success in the rigorous planning, execution and timely delivery of enterprise level projects and programs.
• Proven innovation & opportunity identification translated to tangible initiatives and successful execution of projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing portfolio of projects and in leading change through others to achieve operational excellence.

Skills, Special Competencies

• Builds relationships, able to negotiate & influence, and manage change in matrix environment.
•  Demonstrated proficiency and passion for lean methodology, tools, and end to end value stream improvement.
• Exceptional skills in leadership, coaching, analytical problem solving and strong business acumen.
• Superior written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

 Dräger‘s Benefits

•  27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with option to purchase up to 3 additional days.
•  Flexi scheme
• Discounted critical illness cover, dental cover and partner life assurance.
• Healthcare cash plan
•    Subsidised canteen
• Discounted shopping & leisure vouchers
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Cycle to Work
• Gym membership discounts – up to 25%
• Charity Giving scheme.

Dräger‘s dedication

At Dräger we have a clear vision,  to be an organisation  with a working environment that includes a diverse mix of talented people who want to come, stay and grow.

We ensure candidates  with the required qualifications and experience will be considered  for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

All are welcome to apply!.

From hospitals to fire departments to industrial customers, people around the world rely on our products: cutting-edge technology that combines real engineering with the digital future. With over 130 years of experience, passion and the bold ideas of more than 16,000 employees, we are committed to turning technology into ›technology for life‹.