Global Continuous Improvement Director (Expat Wanted)

Global Continuous Improvement Director (Expat Wanted)

Lead Global Operational Excellence Transformation Across Multiple Manufacturing Sites

We are partnering with a rapidly growing global medical device manufacturer to appoint a newly created Global Continuous Improvement Director. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving enterprise-wide operational excellence, lean transformation, digital manufacturing initiatives, and continuous improvement programs across manufacturing operations in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Reporting directly to the executive leadership team, the successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the company's long-term operational strategy, building a high-performance CI organization, and delivering measurable business impact across multiple international manufacturing facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global Continuous Improvement (CI) and Operational Excellence strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
• Lead enterprise-wide Lean Transformation initiatives across manufacturing, engineering, planning, supply chain, and support functions.
• Establish and standardize global CI frameworks, methodologies, governance, KPIs, and best practices.
• Build and mentor a high-performing global CI organization, including Black Belts, Green Belts, and regional improvement leaders.
• Drive productivity, quality, cost reduction, customer satisfaction, and operational capability improvements through structured CI programs.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and other operational excellence methodologies across multiple sites.
• Lead digital manufacturing projects, including MES implementation, automation, AI-enabled tools, and data-driven decision making.
• Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, IT, and Commercial teams to deliver sustainable business results.
• Act as a key change agent in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and problem-solving.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's Degree or above in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility for Continuous Improvement, Lean Transformation, or Operational Excellence.
• Proven experience leading regional or global CI initiatives within multinational manufacturing organizations.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification is mandatory; Master Black Belt preferred.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, DMAIC, SMED, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and related methodologies.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering significant productivity, cost reduction, and operational performance improvements.
• Experience implementing Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and driving digital transformation initiatives.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to lead change across complex global organizations.
• Medical device, life sciences, healthcare manufacturing, or other highly regulated industry experience strongly preferred.
• Fluent English communication skills are essential.

Why This Opportunity?

• Newly created global leadership position with high visibility across executive management.
• Opportunity to shape and execute a company-wide operational excellence roadmap from the ground up.
• Direct influence on manufacturing operations across China, Singapore, Mexico, Europe, and other global sites.
• Significant exposure to strategic transformation, digital manufacturing, automation, and organizational change initiatives.
• Join a business committed to investing in operational excellence as a key driver of future growth.

Location: South China (Guangdong Province)

Travel: Regular international travel across global manufacturing operations

If you or anyone in your network seems suitable, contact Cece Tang from Hays through [email protected]