Area Head of Operational Excellence, EAA

Job Description

Maersk is a global leader in integrated logistics and has been industry pioneers for over a century. Through innovation and transformation, we are redefining the boundaries of possibility, continuously setting new standards for efficiency, sustainability, and excellence.

At Maersk, we believe in the power of diversity, collaboration, and continuous learning. We work hard to ensure that our people reflect and understand the customers and communities we exist to serve.

With over 100,000 employees across 130 countries, we come together every day to shape the future of global trade and logistics.

We are now looking for an Area Head of Operational Excellence (OpEx) to lead the deployment of The Maersk Way (TMW) across the Eastern Africa Area. This role plays a critical part in driving performance, building capabilities, and embedding a strong continuous improvement culture across the organization.

What We Offer:

• A senior leadership role with direct impact on Area business performance and strategic priorities
• The opportunity to lead and shape Operational Excellence and TMW deployment across a complex, multi-functional environment
• Exposure to senior Area and Global leadership, including Area Managing Director and Area Leadership Team
• Accountability to drive measurable improvements in business KPIs, operational efficiency, and customer outcomes
• A platform to influence transformation at scale while ensuring local relevance and sustainable adoption
• A dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on continuous improvement and excellence
• Strong collaboration with Global Operational Excellence (OpEx), Customer Experience (CX), Global Service Center (GSC), and regional teams
• A leadership role with responsibility for talent development, succession planning, and OpEx capability building

Key Responsibilities:

Deploy The Maersk Way (TMW) & Operational Excellence

• Lead the deployment of TMW frameworks, tools, and behaviors across the Area in line with global priorities and timelines
• Support the Area Managing Director and Area Leadership Team in defining, executing, and measuring business priorities through structured OpEx practices and KPI governance
• Drive adoption of core TMW tools such as problem solving, visual management, and performance routines based on Area needs
• Challenge standardization practices where they do not improve customer quality or operational efficiency
• Define and execute Area-wide deployment plans, ensuring sustainable implementation and measurable impact

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that deliver tangible improvements in business KPIs, efficiency, and customer outcomes
• Provide governance and coordination for performance management routines across the Area
• Identify systemic blockers and enablers impacting capability building and performance
• Ensure local adaptations of global standards without compromising consistency or quality

Leadership, Capability & Community Building

• Lead and develop Area OpEx resources (including Continuous Improvement (CI), Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and Finance Operations (FinOps) resources where applicable)
• Build a strong continuous improvement culture across frontline and leadership teams
• Coach Area leaders and stakeholders on OpEx principles, behaviors, performance management, and cultural role modelling
• Develop OpEx capability through training, coaching, best-practice sharing, and structured improvement cycles
• Drive talent development, engagement, retention, and succession planning for critical OpEx roles

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as the integrator between Area, Regional, and Global OpEx teams
• Channel Area improvement needs and insights into the Global OpEx and TMW communities
• Collaborate closely with CX, GSC supporting teams, Global process teams, Finance Business Partners, and People Partners
• Engage externally with customers, local vendors, and authorities where required to support OpEx initiatives

Who Are We Looking For?

• Strong expertise in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Lean, Kaizen, and Six Sigma; Black Belt or Master Black Belt strongly preferred
• Proven experience deploying Operational Excellence in complex, matrixed supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, or industrial environments
• Solid understanding of enterprise excellence frameworks such as The Maersk Way (TMW) or equivalent
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to independently drive data analysis, insight generation, and structured problem solving
• Demonstrated ability to link enterprise strategy with local execution and deliver measurable operational impact
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant industry experience within supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, or engineering‑led organizations
• Educational background in Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, or Actuarial Science preferred
• Proven experience leading transformation, influencing senior leaders, and driving cross‑functional accountability
• Strong process governance mindset with focus on KPIs, performance management, and data‑driven decision‑making
• High ownership and independence, with the ability to orchestrate solutions across functions and levels
• Track record of building high‑performing teams, developing talent, and leading change
• Confident communicator with strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, ambiguous, and demanding operational environments
• Willingness to travel extensively within the Area as required

If you have been reading so far, we are glad to see you are interested. If you can see yourself driving Operational Excellence, transformation, and performance at scale, we look forward to receiving your application.

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.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing accommodationrequests@maersk.com.