Head of Lean

APM Terminals

Head of Lean – APM Terminals Tangier TM2

About APM Terminals

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and support sustainable growth. Our success is driven by a continuous improvement mindset — understanding how work is done, identifying what creates value, and eliminating waste. At Tangier TM2, one of the largest and most advanced container terminals in the West Mediterranean, we are committed to operational excellence, innovation, and developing world-class capabilities. Lean principles are at the core of how we operate, empowering our teams to continuously improve performance, safety, and customer satisfaction.

About the Role

We are seeking a Head of Lean to lead the deployment and maturity of Lean across APM Terminals Tangier TM2. This role acts as a strategic and tactical transformation leader, embedding Lean thinking into daily operations and driving measurable improvements in productivity, cost efficiency, and business performance.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role is critical in shaping the terminal’s operational excellence journey and strengthening its position as a benchmark in the WestMed region.

The successful candidate will combine strong industrial engineering expertise, business acumen, and leadership capabilities to deliver sustainable impact through people and processes.

Key Responsibilities

Lean Strategy & Deployment

• Drive the end-to-end Lean transformation strategy aligned with terminal and regional business priorities (Safety, Performance, Capacity, Growth, Customer Centricity, Cost).
• Translate strategic objectives into clear Lean initiatives and execution roadmaps.
• Ensure full deployment and sustainability of the APMT Business System / Operating System.

Culture & Leadership Development

• Positively coach, influence, and actively manage leadership behavioral change aligned with APM Terminals Lean principles.
• Build and embed a high-performance continuous improvement culture, focused on problem-solving at root cause.
• Act as a trusted advisor and coach to senior leadership and Heads of Departments.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Embed Lean principles into business operations to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Lead and coordinate implementation of:
  • Process Standardization
  • Daily Management & Visual Management
  • Kaizen (continuous improvement initiatives)
  • A3 Problem Solving
  • Value Stream Mapping
• Drive standardization and replication of best practices across the terminal.

Capability Building

• Establish and execute plans to build Lean capabilities across all functions.
• Lead the Lean Academy and structured training programs.
• Drive Training Within Industry (TWI) implementation, including:
  • Job Instruction (JI)
  • Work Instruction (WI)
  • Job Relations (JR)
• Develop leaders and teams to become independent problem solvers.

Performance Management & Governance

• Provide clear and timely reporting on Lean deployment progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Define and monitor Lean maturity and performance indicators.
• Facilitate policy deployment (Hoshin Kanri) and ensure alignment across all levels.

Engagement & Team Leadership

• Foster an environment of strong teamwork, learning, and continuous development.
• Drive, recognize, and reward team performance, ensuring ongoing growth and improvement.
• Promote open communication and collaboration across functions.

Key Metrics for Success

• Improvement in terminal throughput and productivity
• Reduction in cost per operation
• Increased equipment and process efficiency
• Advancement in Lean maturity level
• Strengthened problem-solving capability across teams
• Enhanced customer satisfaction and service levels

What We Are Looking For

Experience & Background

• Strong experience in Lean, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement leadership roles
• Solid background in industrial engineering, operations, or business management
• Proven track record delivering measurable operational and financial improvements
• Experience in complex, large-scale industrial environments (ports, logistics, manufacturing preferred)

Technical & Leadership Skills

• Deep expertise in Lean tools and methodologies (Kaizen, A3, VSM, Standard Work, Daily Management, etc.)
• Strong change management and transformation leadership experience
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cultural change
• Excellent coaching, facilitation, and communication skills

Mindset & Behaviors

• Strong continuous improvement mindset — curious, structured, and solution-oriented
• Passion for solving problems at root cause
• High level of drive, resilience, and accountability
• Collaborative and people-focused leadership style

Qualifications & Languages

• Degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Management, or related field
• Lean certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) are a strong advantage
• Fluent English is required
• Arabic and/or French are strong pluses

Reporting Line

• Reports directly to: Managing Director (MD) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Scope: APM Terminals Tangier TM2, with alignment to regional and global Lean initiatives

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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