Director, Operational Excellence

We are now looking for a Director, Operational Excellence.Greetings from your future managerNote: The original description includes an introductory quote; formatting preserved where appropriate in plain text contexts. The substantive content below remains unchanged and focused on responsibilities and qualifications.What you will doDevelop and lead the global Operational Excellence (OpEx) roadmap aligned with corporate strategy and business objectives.Drive Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, cost efficiency, and service across the manufacturing network.Oversee and support the Malaysia factory renewal phase, ensuring safe, timely, and successful implementation of new production lines.Lead investment evaluations and execution in Malaysia, securing budget adherence and delivery of expected benefits.Design, implement, and sustain a standardized global OpEx framework to drive long-term performance.Leverage data analytics, digitalization, Industry 4.0, and AI-powered tools to accelerate operational improvements.Conduct operational audits and maturity assessments to benchmark progress and ensure consistent standards.Facilitate global knowledge-sharing and replication of best practices to eliminate inefficiencies and scale proven solutions.Build organizational capabilities by leading training programs and coaching teams in operational excellence.Champion a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across diverse global teams.Who you areYou hold a Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; an MBA is an advantage.You bring 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or operations, ideally within paper, chemicals, materials, or automotive industries.You have a proven track record in leading Lean Six Sigma programs (Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification preferred).You combine operational expertise with strong business acumen, linking improvements directly to financial outcomes.You are experienced in digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and data-driven decision-making; exposure to AI-powered tools is a plus.You are an exceptional leader and change agent with strong influencing skills across diverse geographies and cultures.You thrive in fast-paced, global, cross-functional environments and foster collaboration with key stakeholders.You are an outstanding communicator with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.You are fluent in English (spoken and written).You are open to regular travel.This is what we offer to youA meaningful job – We have an inspiring purpose ‘We create a future beyond fossils.’ Our work is impactful and transformative.A caring community – Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.Development opportunities – We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.Responsible employer - Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas from climate change to biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be prehensive benefit package: UPM’s benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and a 401(k) retirement plan.Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working.Additional informationWe are recruiting for one position that will be based at one of the following larger factory locations: Nowa Wieś/ Biskupice Podgórne, Poland; Mills River, USA; Tampere/Helsinki, Finland.The position holder will report to Vice President, Global Operations & Technology.To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by October 3, 2025. Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Service Center at or tel. +18777235247.This Job Description is intended to be a guide and is not intended to be a contract of employment, explicit or implicit. All contents are subject to change at the sole discretion of the company. Cooperation is expected of all employees. Other duties may be assigned as needed.UPM North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.UPM Adhesive Materials (formerly UPM Raflatac) offers high-quality self-adhesive paper and film products including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products. We operate 14 factories and deliver our innovative and sustainable products through our global network of distribution terminals. We are one of UPM’s growth businesses and employ around 3,200 people. Our sales reached almost EUR 1,6 billion (USD 1,7 billion) in 2024. Read more: UPM Adhesive Materials on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramSeniority levelDirectorEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionManagement and ManufacturingIndustriesManufacturingReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at UPM by 2xGet notified about new Director Operational Excellence jobs in Mills River, NC.We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-08