Manager, LEAN Development, EMEA

Valmet is looking for a Manager, LEAN Development, EMEA to lead the strategic deployment of Lean and Operational Excellence across our EMEA plants and suppliers. This role is part of our newly established Global Supply division, which focuses on procurement excellence, production footprint optimization, facilities optimization, and warehouse footprint optimization.

Reporting to the Director, LEAN & Operational Excellence based in China, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape and drive continuous improvement initiatives across a diverse and international landscape.

In This Role, You Will:

• Lead the creation and deployment of the EMEA Lean and Operational Excellence roadmap aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor Lean performance metrics (e.g., cost savings, maturity scores, lead time) and implement corrective actions to meet targets.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by embedding Lean principles across regional teams and functions.
• Coach and mentor Lean professionals and operational leaders to strengthen internal capabilities and sustain Lean practices.
• Address operational issues using structured problem-solving to ensure long-term, sustainable solutions.
• Partner with EMEA and functional leaders to identify critical improvement projects and ensure consistent Lean deployment.
• Collaborate with industry peers, networks, and suppliers to integrate best practices and drive innovation.
• Establish governance mechanisms to track Lean project execution and report progress to senior leadership.
• Apply Lean principles in collaboration with key suppliers to improve joint performance and supply chain efficiency.
• Increase participation in continuous improvement activities through Kaizen events, suggestion programs, and recognition.
• Support the development of the global Lean and Operational Excellence framework and roadmap.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field
• 7+ years of progressive experience in Lean, operational excellence, or manufacturing leadership roles
• Strategic thinking to drive measurable outcomes, build trust, foster high-performing teams, and thrive in multicultural, cross-functional environments
• Deep expertise in Lean principles and their application in regional supply chain environments
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement, Six Sigma, structured problem solving, and performance management
• Ability to develop and execute a regional Lean roadmap aligned with business strategy
• Proficiency in analyzing KPIs, identifying trends, and implementing corrective actions
• Skilled in leading cultural transformation across diverse teams and geographies
• Ability to mentor engineers and operational leaders, fostering a sustainable Lean culture
• Strong executive-level communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex ideas and influence decision-makers
• Availability to travel approximately 50%, mainly within Europe

If this role has caught your attention and you’d like to become part of the team, please send us your CV in English no later than October 24, 2025.

What We Offer:

At Valmet, you’ll join a truly global team of experts committed to advancing industrial innovation and operational excellence. This role offers high visibility, strategic impact, and the opportunity to lead Lean transformation across a dynamic and international environment.

When everything works together
Valmet is where the best talent from a wide variety of backgrounds comes together. With over 19,000 professionals around the world, we are the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and serve an even wider base of process industries with our automation systems and flow control solutions.
Join the team! www.valmet.com/careers