
Lean Manufacturing Expert (Henkel Production System)
Key Skills
Job Description
About this Position
What you´ll do
- Lead the deployment, governance, and continuous evolution of the Henkel Production System (HPS) across global manufacturing sites.
- Conduct operational assessments, identify performance gaps, and develop improvement roadmaps aligned with HPS standards and business objectives.
- Drive Lean transformation initiatives through the implementation of Daily Management, Visual Management, Standard Work, 5S, Kaizen, and performance management systems.
- Facilitate value stream optimization initiatives to improve material flow, reduce waste and inventory, and increase operational productivity.
- Lead OEE improvement programs and structured problem-solving activities to eliminate losses and improve manufacturing performance.
- Develop, standardize, and continuously enhance HPS methodologies, tools, training materials, and implementation guidelines to ensure global consistency.
- Collaborate with regional and site leadership teams to deploy best practices, strengthen Lean maturity, and accelerate operational excellence.
- Train, coach, and mentor site leaders, operators, and Lean practitioners to build long-term continuous improvement capabilities.
- Support the Operational Excellence framework through KPI analysis, performance reviews, governance processes, and strategic roadmap development.
- Partner with Digital and IT teams to leverage data analytics, digital solutions, and real-time performance management tools that accelerate business results.
What makes you a good fit
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing environments, with a proven track record of leading Lean transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Daily Management Systems, Standard Work, Visual Management, Continuous Improvement methodologies, and Structured Problem Solving.
- Experience facilitating Kaizen events, workshops, and capability-building programs while coaching manufacturing teams and site leadership.
- Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate operational challenges into sustainable improvements.
- Experience driving performance improvements through operational excellence tools, KPI management, and loss elimination methodologies.
- Knowledge of production system deployments such as Toyota Production System (TPS), Danaher Business System (DBS), Henkel Production System (HPS), Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS), or similar frameworks.
- Experience working within multinational manufacturing organizations; exposure to digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies is considered an advantage.
- Demonstrated change leadership, strong facilitation skills, shop-floor credibility, and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.
- Willingness to travel extensively globally and ability to collaborate effectively across cultures and diverse manufacturing environments.
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Pension Fund
- Disability Insurance
- Health Insurance discount
- Canteen discount
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different genders, origins, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities, and generations.
Core Responsibilities
You will lead the deployment and continuous evolution of the Henkel Production System across global manufacturing sites to drive operational excellence. This involves conducting operational assessments, facilitating improvement initiatives, and coaching site leadership to build long-term continuous improvement capabilities.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field and possess at least 5 years of experience in manufacturing environments. Strong expertise in Lean methodologies, change leadership, and the ability to travel globally are essential for this role.
Benefits
- Flexible work scheme
- Hybrid work model
- Work from anywhere policy
- Growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards
- Health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave
- Employee Share Plan
- Pension Fund
- Disability Insurance
- Health Insurance discount
- Canteen discount
About Henkel group
Industry: Manufacturing
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Henkel operates worldwide with leading innovations, brands and technologies in two business areas: Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 145 years of success. The company holds leading positions with its two business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel, headquartered in Düsseldorf / Germany, counts among the most internationally aligned German-based companies in the global marketplace. Our company purpose expresses what unites us all at Henkel: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. We are a diverse team of about 47,000 colleagues worldwide, striving to enrich and improve life every day through our products, services, and solutions. Our Purpose is built from our roots and carries a long-standing legacy of innovation, responsibility, and sustainability into the future. Our shared values and Leadership Commitments guide our decisions and actions every day. Imprint: http://www.henkel.com/imprint Data Privacy: https://www.henkel.com/data-protection-statement-social-media