Head of Continuous Improvement (m/w/d) - certified Master Black Belt |25% Travel
Köln, DEWho are we?
Your Responsibilities
- Lead and shape the enterprise-wide Continuous Improvement strategy, including a multi-year CI roadmap.
- Partner with senior leadership at our Service Business Units in UK, US, France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany to set and achieve CI goals related to cost savings, performance, and customer value.
- Coach, mentor, and certify local Black Belts while building CI capabilities across all business units.
- Ensure high-quality, impactful CI projects through approval of charters, methods, and results.
- Deliver advanced Lean Six Sigma training and strengthen a culture of data-driven problem-solving aligned and in collaboration with your counterpart in Global Operations.
- Facilitate Kaizens, workshops, and strategy sessions to drive operational excellence.
- Identify and support cost-saving opportunities, validate financial benefits, and collaborate with Finance.
- Provide leadership and problem-solving support to business units needing performance improvement.
Your Profile
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related analytical discipline.
- Master degree (MBA, MS Engineering, Operations Research, Analytics, etc.) preferred.
- Certified Black Belt with a strong record of validated projects.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence.
- Demonstrated experience coaching and certifying Black Belts and Green Belts.
- Background in multi-unit or matrixed/global environments.
- Training in project management, change management, or Lean systems is an advantage.
- Fluent in German and English are required; French is a plus.
- Exceptional analytical thinking with outstanding communication and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrates a strong interest in and enjoyment of working across cultures in a global, multi-country setting.
- High level of initiative, flexibility, and a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset enabling fast implementation.
What We Offer
- Supportive, welcoming colleagues who make joining the team easy and a team where your ideas count and your strengths matter.
- A shared passion for our mission: improving the lives of others. We foster a culture of respect, appreciation, and teamwork.
- The chance to actively shape processes and business outcome.
- Regular feedback and structured development conversations.
- Attractive benefits: BONAGO employee card, childcare allowance, job bike, Deutschlandticket, company pension plan (20% employer contribution), and gifts for special occasions.
- 30 days of annual vacation.
