Director Continuous Improvement - Europe
Location: This is a remote based role from anywhere in Europe.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Lean Transformation Lead deployment of the company’s Lean operating system across manufacturing, distribution, and commercial functions Establish and manage a Kaizen pipeline aligned to strategic priorities and value streams Drive enterprise initiatives that improve SQDIPC performance Embed Lean thinking and structured problem-solving to support long-term cultural transformation Kaizen Leadership & Execution Lead and facilitate high-impact Kaizen events across operational and transactional processes Identify improvement opportunities through value stream mapping, Gemba observation, and data analysis Develop and execute rapid improvement plans to accelerate performance Ensure improvements are standardized, sustained, and scalable Capability Building Build organizational Lean capability through coaching, training, and mentorship Develop Lean champions and continuous improvement practitioners across the network Foster a culture of disciplined problem-solving Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to drive initiatives Align Lean efforts with business strategy and operational priorities Collaborate with senior leaders (e.g., Operational Excellence, Procurement, PMO) to ensure enterprise alignment Governance & Performance Management Establish KPIs, dashboards, and governance structures to track progress Drive accountability and ensure sustainability of improvement initiatives Report progress and insights to senior leadership
Qualifications
Experience 10+ years leading Lean transformations in manufacturing or supply chain environments Proven success implementing TPS/Lean across multi-site operations Demonstrated impact on SQDIPC performance metrics Experience leading Kaizen events across both operational and transactional functions Strong track record partnering with senior leaders and cross-functional teams Technical Expertise Deep knowledge of Lean/TPS tools and methodologies including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, Standard Work, Visual Management, and Flow/Pull Systems Leadership Capabilities Strong change leadership and transformation skills Ability to influence and coach at all organizational levels Excellent facilitation, communication, and business acumen Education Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field preferred Lean certification (e.g., Black Belt, Lean Practitioner) preferred Travel: 60%+ Apply To This Job