Operational Excellence Senior Specialist

Leads deployment of The Maersk Way (TMW) and cross-functional business optimization initiatives. The role partners with business teams to identify priorities, solve operational challenges, implement scalable improvements, and enable digitalization through clear business requirements and collaboration with specialist teams.
Combines problem solving, implementation leadership, and capability building to improve efficiency, quality, productivity, process stability, and customer outcomes through disciplined execution and sustainable standards.

Role Scope and Impact

• Works across functions to identify, shape, and deliver process improvement and transformation opportunities.
• Provides expertise in TMW, Lean, structured problem solving, process standardization, and end-to-end optimization.
• Partners with operational, customer, finance, supply chain, and technology stakeholders to turn business needs into executable initiatives.
• Acts as a change agent and capability builder while supporting digitalization and automation through strong requirement definition and cross-functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities / Critical Tasks

1. The Maersk Way

• Drive deployment and adoption of TMW tools, standards, and methodologies across the Area, aligned to enterprise expectations and business priorities.
• Implement and sustain MOS elements, standard ways of working, and structured problem-solving methods such as A3, Lean, and Kaizen.
• Perform gap assessments and root cause analysis to define improvement roadmaps, priorities, and mitigation actions.
• Coach teams and support Gemba walks, Kaizen events, and improvement workshops to embed continuous improvement disciplines.

2. Business Optimization & Implementation

• Identify and prioritize high-impact improvement opportunities based on performance, risk, customer impact, and strategic priorities.
• Lead end-to-end improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and TMW methods, from opportunity framing through implementation and stabilization.
• Conduct process assessments, value stream mapping, and workflow reviews to remove bottlenecks, waste, rework, and control gaps.
• Support process and system implementations, including coordination of requirement collection, process mapping, test plans, deployment support, and change impact management.
• Develop business cases, implementation plans, benefit tracking, and value realization mechanisms for improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment, remove blockers, and ensure improved processes are standardized, scalable, and sustainable.

3. Capability Building & Change Enablement

• Coach teams in applying continuous improvement tools and methodologies based on their maturity and needs.
• Facilitate training, workshops, and knowledge sharing to strengthen Operational Excellence capability.
• Act as a change agent to drive adoption of new processes, systems, and behaviors that reinforce ownership, collaboration, and accountability.

4. Digitalization, Innovation & Analytics (Enablement via Partnership)

• Identify digitalization, automation, and analytics opportunities that reduce manual effort, close control gaps, and improve scalability.
• Define business requirements and use cases for automation, workflows, dashboards, and reporting solutions.
• Partner with Digitalization, Automation, and Data teams to design, test, and implement fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Ensure solutions are embedded into operations and translated into sustained business value through data-driven improvement loops.

Stakeholder Interfaces

• Operational and frontline leadership teams across the Area.
• Functional stakeholders across Operations, CX, SCM, Finance, Product, and Technology.
• Digitalization, Automation, and Data teams responsible for solution realization and implementation support.
• Other Operational Excellence practitioners and business transformation stakeholders involved in change delivery and capability development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, or a related field; advanced study or certifications are an advantage.
• Relevant experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, process transformation, logistics, customer operations, supply chain, or financial operations.
• Proven track record delivering end-to-end improvement initiatives with measurable business outcomes.
• Practical experience in Lean, Six Sigma, A3, Kaizen, root cause analysis, value stream mapping, system implementation, and stakeholder facilitation.

Capabilities / Core Competencies

• Strong expertise in TMW and Operational Excellence methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, A3, Kaizen, and DMAIC.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause identification skills with the ability to convert ambiguity into structured action.
• Effective coaching, facilitation, change management, and stakeholder engagement skills in cross-functional environments.
• Strong execution mindset with the ability to build business cases, track benefits, and sustain improvements.

Performance Measures

• TMW adoption and maturity progression across the Area.
• Delivery of measurable improvement in efficiency, productivity, quality, process stability, and customer outcomes.
• Sustainability and scalability of implemented improvements and operating standards.
• Effectiveness of cross-functional transformation delivery and digital enablement outcomes.

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.
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