Lean Manufacturing Expert (Henkel Production System)
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About this position
As a Lean Manufacturing Expert (Henkel Production System), you will play a critical role in driving operational excellence across Henkel's global manufacturing network. You will lead the deployment and continuous improvement of the Henkel Production System (HPS), partnering with regional and site leadership teams to enhance productivity, eliminate waste, optimize processes, and build a sustainable culture of continuous improvement. Through your expertise in Lean Manufacturing and change management, you will enable sites to achieve world-class operational performance and support Henkel's long-term growth ambitions.
What you´ll do
- Lead the deployment, governance, and continuous evolution of the Henkel Production System (HPS) across global manufacturing sites.
- Conduct operational assessments, identify performance gaps, and develop improvement roadmaps aligned with HPS standards and business objectives.
- Drive Lean transformation initiatives through the implementation of Daily Management, Visual Management, Standard Work, 5S, Kaizen, and performance management systems.
- Facilitate value stream optimization initiatives to improve material flow, reduce waste and inventory, and increase operational productivity.
- Lead OEE improvement programs and structured problem-solving activities to eliminate losses and improve manufacturing performance.
- Develop, standardize, and continuously enhance HPS methodologies, tools, training materials, and implementation guidelines to ensure global consistency.
- Collaborate with regional and site leadership teams to deploy best practices, strengthen Lean maturity, and accelerate operational excellence.
- Train, coach, and mentor site leaders, operators, and Lean practitioners to build long-term continuous improvement capabilities.
- Support the Operational Excellence framework through KPI analysis, performance reviews, governance processes, and strategic roadmap development.
- Partner with Digital and IT teams to leverage data analytics, digital solutions, and real-time performance management tools that accelerate business results.
What makes you a good fit
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing environments, with a proven track record of leading Lean transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Daily Management Systems, Standard Work, Visual Management, Continuous Improvement methodologies, and Structured Problem Solving.
- Experience facilitating Kaizen events, workshops, and capability-building programs while coaching manufacturing teams and site leadership.
- Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate operational challenges into sustainable improvements.
- Experience driving performance improvements through operational excellence tools, KPI management, and loss elimination methodologies.
- Knowledge of production system deployments such as Toyota Production System (TPS), Danaher Business System (DBS), Henkel Production System (HPS), Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS), or similar frameworks.
- Experience working within multinational manufacturing organizations; exposure to digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies is considered an advantage.
- Demonstrated change leadership, strong facilitation skills, shop-floor credibility, and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.
- Willingness to travel extensively globally and ability to collaborate effectively across cultures and diverse manufacturing environments.
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Pension Fund
- Disability Insurance
- Health Insurance discount
- Canteen discount
You’ve probably heard of the brands Schwarzkopf, Fa, Pritt, Persil, Bref,…? Did you know that these are just a few examples of brands with which Henkel is active worldwide? Yes, Henkel is a global leading FMCG manufacturer with brands & technologies in two business areas: Consumer Brands, and Adhesive Technologies. With over 47.000 employees, in 125 countries!