Manager, Operational Excellence – APAC

Role Overview

• Execute the global Operational Excellence (OpEx) roadmap within the region, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities
• Act as a trusted OpEx business partner to regional and plant leadership, collaborating to identify performance gaps, define improvement priorities, and build and maintain actionable site-level OpEx plans
• Lead selected improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving methodologies, delivering measurable and sustainable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, service, and cost
• Coach and mentor site teams who lead OpEx initiatives, providing hands-on guidance on root cause analysis, value stream thinking, standard work, and daily management
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing between manufacturing sites to accelerate adoption of best practices and proven solutions
• Leverage data analytics, digital tools, and Industry 4.0 solutions to monitor performance, identify improvement opportunities and support fact-based decision-making
• Conduct operational assessments to benchmark maturity and capability development
• Design and deliver training and workshops to strengthen operational excellence capabilities across the region
• Guide teams through change initiatives to ensure consistent implementation and sustained adoption of new processes or technologies
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational discipline
• Promote an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and responsible performance
• Serve as a role model for UPM values and the “Aiming Higher” mindset

Requirements

• You have a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
• You have progressive experience in manufacturing, operations development, or operational excellence roles within industrial environments
• You have demonstrated experience leading Operational Excellence initiatives, including leading projects as well as coaching or mentoring teams who lead their own improvement efforts
• You have Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred
• You have experience in partnering with manufacturing site leadership to identify performance improvement opportunities and building roadmaps
• You have strong analytical and financial acumen with an ability to translate operational data into business insights
• You have strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across functions and organizational levels
• You have experience working in cross-functional and multicultural environments
• You are fluent in spoken and written English; additional regional language skills are an asset
• You are willing to travel mainly to factories within own Region.

Benefits

• A meaningful job – We have an inspiring purpose ‘We create a future beyond fossils. Our work is impactful and transformative.
• A caring community – Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.
• Development opportunities – We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.
• Responsible employer
• Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas from climate change to biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.