Job Title: Operational Excellence Lead / Coordinator
Reports to: Head of Manufacturing
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
PROFILE INTRODUCTION: Our client is a well-established battery manufacturing company with significant operations in East Africa. Committed to operational excellence, product quality, and sustainable growth, the organization continues to strengthen its continuous improvement agenda across its manufacturing operations.
In line with this focus, the company seeks an experienced, hands-on Operational Excellence Lead to coordinate and drive its improvement agenda across manufacturing operations, improving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost and equipment performance through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Total Productive Maintenance, Autonomous Maintenance, structured problem-solving and appropriate AI-enabled tools and analytics. Working through existing departmental teams, the role holder will establish current performance and Autonomous Maintenance baselines, identify gaps, build internal capability, and coordinate the organization’s transition from current performance levels to the revised targets and standards approved by the Company, delivering measurable and sustainable results.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Operational Excellence Strategy, Roadmap & Performance Coordination
Coordinate implementation of the Operational Excellence roadmap and annual improvement plan in line with business priorities
Establish practical improvement standards, project controls, performance indicators and management dashboards
Assess current performance against approved targets, identify gaps, and coordinate action plans to achieve the revised targets communicated by the Company
Provide management with concise reporting on performance, benefits, risks, barriers and required interventions
- Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen & Continuous Improvement
Coordinate Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 6S, visual management, process mapping and structured problem-solving initiatives
Prioritize improvement projects using operational data, business impact and available resources
Drive reduction of waste, scrap, rework, downtime, process variation and non-value-adding activities while improving throughput and resource utilization
Ensure approved improvements are documented, standardized, sustained and replicated where relevant
- Total Productive Maintenance & Autonomous Maintenance
Champion Total Productive Maintenance and Autonomous Maintenance in partnership with Production and Engineering
Establish the Autonomous Maintenance baseline for priority equipment and coordinate progression through approved AM steps to the Company-approved target maturity level
Improve equipment reliability, availability, utilization, planned maintenance compliance and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Monitor TPM and AM implementation milestones and coordinate closure of agreed assessment, audit and review actions
- Cross-Functional Project & Change Management
Coordinate cross-functional improvement initiatives involving Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Health and Safety, Finance, Human Resources and other relevant functions
Define project scope, milestones, responsibilities and expected benefits, and escalate material delays or barriers
Validate operational and financial benefits with the relevant functions and maintain concise project records and lessons learnt
- Safety, Quality & Management Systems Compliance
Embed safety, health, environmental and quality requirements in all improvement initiatives and ensure changes do not introduce uncontrolled risk
Support continual improvement of Company policies, procedures and applicable standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 17025 and IATF requirements adopted by the Company
Participate in audits and assessments and monitor timely closure of relevant findings
- Capability Building, Coaching & Stakeholder Engagement
Assess capability gaps and deliver practical training, coaching and facilitation in Lean, Kaizen, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance and structured problem-solving
Develop Kaizen champions and strengthen accountability for improvement at management, supervisory and employee levels
Engage stakeholders, communicate the purpose and progress of changes, and address barriers to adoption and sustainability
Coordinate Operational Excellence activities through existing departmental teams and assigned cross-functional project teams
Provide practical guidance, coaching and facilitation without assuming line-management responsibility for participating employees
- Data Analytics, AI-Enabled Improvement & Resource Management
Explore and, where appropriate, support the application of AI-enabled tools and analytics to identify trends, strengthen performance monitoring and support data-driven improvement decisions
Manage assigned project resources within approved budgets, policies and delegated authority, and perform other reasonable duties within the scope of the role
KEY COMPETENCIES: Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing & Kaizen
Total Productive Maintenance, Autonomous Maintenance, 6S & Visual Management
Equipment Reliability & Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Root-Cause Analysis, Process Mapping & Structured Problem-Solving
Project & Change Management
Operational Data Analysis & Benefits Validation
Awareness of AI-Enabled Tools & Analytics for Operational Excellence
Strategic & Systems Thinking with Results Orientation & Accountability
Influencing Without Direct Authority & Stakeholder Collaboration
Training, Coaching & Facilitation
Integrity, Sound Judgement & Attention to Detail
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Production or Process Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is desirable; Kaizen, TPM, Project Management or ISO Auditor certification is an added advantage
Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment, including practical responsibility for coordinating or leading Operational Excellence, Lean, Kaizen, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance or continuous improvement initiatives
Demonstrated experience delivering cross-functional projects and measurable, sustained improvement in productivity, cost, quality or equipment performance
Exposure to, or practical experience in, applying, piloting or integrating AI-enabled tools or analytics within Operational Excellence (process optimization, predictive insights, performance monitoring or data-driven decision-making) is an added advantage
Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, influence without direct authority, and deliver sustainable business results
Show more
Show less