SCM Continuous Improvement Manager

The opportunity:

At Hitachi Energy our purpose is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We bring power to our homes, schools, hospitals and factories. Join us and work with fantastic people, while learning and developing yourself on projects that have a real impact on our communities and society. Bring your passion, bring your energy, and be part of a global team that appreciates a simple truth: Diversity + Collaboration = Great Innovation. In this high-visibility role, you will be the main architect of our efforts to achieve operational efficiency, drive sustainable growth, and establish a culture of excellence. You will lead, mentor, and empower cross-functional teams and stakeholders, identifying and championing strategic initiatives, implementing transformative solutions, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout Supply Chain Management (SCM). 

You will report directly to the Head of Change Management, Continuous Improvement, and SCM External Regulations (CMCI) based in Zurich, Switzerland. As a key member of our international SCM CMCI Team, you will collaborate with senior colleagues and leadership across various Business Units, countries, and regions to instill a culture of elite performance and strategic agility. 

How you’ll make an impact:

• Leadership and Strategic Vision: 
• Define and execute a multi-year SCM continuous improvement strategy aligned with the function’s strategic and digitalization objectives. 
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, driving sustained improvement and establishing global best practices. 
• Develop and deploy advanced CI frameworks, methodologies, and tools across SCM. 
• Lean & Advanced Analytics Expertise: 
• Lead enterprise-level Value Stream Mapping initiatives to optimize processes, eliminate waste, reduce costs, and allocate resources strategically. 
• Implement Lean methodologies to improve efficiency, quality, and responsiveness. 
• Identify and integrate AI and machine learning use cases to enhance productivity and decision-making. 
• Program and Performance Management: 
• Oversee the end-to-end Lean/Continuous Improvement transformation across SCM, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budgets. 
• Establish a framework for monitoring and reporting on CI metrics, KPIs, and ROI. 
• Manage a portfolio of high-impact CI programs, aligning them with business objectives. 
• Capability Building and Organizational Change Leadership: 
• Design and deliver advanced training programs on Lean principles and tools. 
• Drive large-scale organizational change management initiatives, promoting a Lean culture. 
• Mentor and develop future CI leaders within the organization. 
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines.
• Living Hitachi Energy’s core values safety and integrity, which means taking responsibility for your own actions while caring for your colleagues and the business.

Your background:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Science, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain Management, Data Science, or a related field preferred. 
• Minimum 10+ years of relevant work experience, with a significant portion dedicated to leading large-scale process development and continuous improvement programs. 

Certifications:

• Black Belt (BB) certification required. 
• Preferred certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and advanced Change Management certifications (e.g., PROSCI). 
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business results through CI initiatives. 
• Expert knowledge of Lean methodologies and tools. 
• Experience with process mining and mapping processes.
• Experience with Digital & AI technologies, machine learning, and advanced data analytics platforms. 
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation to measure impact and ROI. 
• Strong strategic planning, execution, and monitoring capabilities. 
• Ability to influence senior leadership and secure buy-in for large-scale organizational change. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 
• Experience in training and mentoring teams on CI principles. 
• Ability to lead in complex global environments. 
• Proficiency in both spoken & written English language is required.