Industrial Engineering & Operational Excellence Specialist

About the role

The Industrial Engineering & Operational Excellence Specialist drives measurable improvements, capacity gains and ramp-up/stabilization across EMEA operations through shopfloor-based Kaizen execution and Six Sigma problem solving, with validated and signed-off benefits. The role is based in Nové Mesto nad Váhom.

Key responsibilities

• Lead shopfloor-based Kaizen events across EMEA sites: identify opportunities at Gemba, define scope, run workshops, implement countermeasures and ensure sustainment.
• Execute industrial engineering analyses to unlock capacity and productivity (time studies, work measurement, line balancing, takt/capacity calculations, labour optimization, layout and material flow improvements).
• Support ramp-up and stabilization of new and existing assembly, sub-assembly and test lines: readiness checks, bottleneck removal, standard work creation, training support and performance stabilization.
• Translate leadership priorities (cost-out, capacity increase, throughput, lead time, quality losses) into improvement charters with targets, timing and owners.
• Apply Lean tools to eliminate waste and use Six Sigma / DMAIC and root-cause methods with a control mechanism to prevent recurrence.
• Own benefits realization: quantify gains, document assumptions and lead the savings validation and sign-off with Finance.
• Coach site teams, provide Kaizen documentation and leadership updates (A3s, before/after, KPI impact, action tracking).

Required profile

• University degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial engineering, operational excellence / CI, lean manufacturing or manufacturing process improvement.
• Proven delivery of measurable improvements (capacity, productivity, cost, lead time, quality losses) with documented baseline to sustainment.
• Preferred: automotive background or exposure to high-discipline production systems (TPS, VSM-driven factories, high-mix/high-volume); Lean / Six Sigma certification (Lean Leader, Yellow/Green Belt) or equivalent.

Required skills

• Practical Lean toolset (standard work, line balancing, visual management, 5S, problem solving at Gemba)
• Six Sigma / DMAIC and root-cause methods (time studies, Pareto, 5-Why, fishbone)
• Ability to lead Kaizen workshops and work with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent facilitation, stakeholder management and financial acumen to validate savings with Finance

Salary in Nové Mesto nad Váhom is 25,000 to 31,500 EUR gross per year; other locations may vary. Merit increases, annual bonus, stock and possible sales incentives depend on performance and role. Only candidates legally authorized to work in the United States are eligible; sponsorship is not provided.