Would you like to be part of a company with a strong purpose? Aurubis is a leading international multimetal producer and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. Our metals are the basis for the green transition, digitalization, and future technologies. Rock-solid & rolling. Hands-on & high-tech. Skilled & seriously sustainable. This is what drives our 7,000 employees to top performance every day. Join our team and become one of our most valuable elements.

The Head of Operational Transformation is responsible for the governance of the Aurubis Operating System towards operational excellence. He drives implementation and further development of the Aurubis Operating System in close alignment with related group functions and local Continuous Improvement teams. Integrating technological innovations and digitalization is a key aspect for future-proof operational excellence. In addition, structuring the buildup of Operational Excellence capabilities Aurubis-wide and developing a high-performing team of Operational Excellence Managers to support the sites as business partner.

Operational Excellence Managers act as internal method experts and change catalysts for transformation processes in our sites. They assist the line functions in successfully initiating and implementing improvement activities, always aiming for systematic solutions. Their cooperation with the sites builds on two pillars: support and challenge. As catalysts of new practices, they share operational excellence related knowledge across organizational levels and across sites and deliver relevant trainings to other employees. Overall, operational excellence managers help to guide Aurubis into a future of being the most safe, efficient and sustainable smelter network in the world.

To support our Group Continuous Improvement team in full or part time (at least 80 %), we are therefore looking for growth-oriented individuals of all genders who want to explore their passion for continuous improvement. You will work with inspiring colleagues with a diverse background in a highly motivated, communicative team comprising the Aurubis Group sites.

The following sites can be considered for this position: Hamburg, Lünen or Emmerich am Rhein (Germany), Pirdop or Sofia (Bulgaria), Beerse or Olen (Belgium), Berango (Spain) or Avellino (Italy).

Head of Operational Transformation (m/f/d)

Your Tasks

• lead an international team of operational excellence managers and jointly drive implementation of our Aurubis Operating System towards tech-enabled operational excellence
• drive change across sites and through all organizational levels, support operations and business process improvements through digitalization – in terms of technology, methods and desired performance behaviors
• encourage digital operational excellence through the application of lean and six sigma principles, further build and implement our Aurubis Operating System plus corresponding system structure
• deliver AOS site assessments to derive further potential towards continuous improvement practices and structures, and jointly with sites ensure development towards higher maturity and an embedded collaborative improvement culture
• provide overall group governance for quality, improve group quality processes, focusing on assurance and control
• identify focus areas of improvement and specific improvement potentials in production processes and related performance management activities and link initiatives to operational and financial KPI results
• manage a portfolio of improvement programs/projects, drive deployment of key strategic initiatives across Aurubis’ international production sites and engage in different roles - methodology expert via change facilitator to project manager
• actively promote hand-in-hand cooperation and knowledge-sharing, cross-site and cross-department
• support the development of your team members towards becoming effective as business partners for the organization and preparing their mid-/ long-term transition to other leadership or expert roles within Aurubis
• liaise with the management teams of the different production sites regularly to retrain proper focus, ensure alignment, and prioritize customer support requests
• communicate across the full range of stakeholders, from shop floor to Executive Board, to obtain buy-in for change and safeguard access to required resources and subject matter expertise
• strengthen and expand connections with external industry and research partners for best practice exchange
• facilitate organizational learning and act as internal trainer for Lean, Six Sigma and digital transformation

Your Profile

• technical or business master’s degree or diploma (college/university), e.g. in industrial, chemical engineering or a comparable field of study
• 5+ years of practical experience in continuous improvement and digital excellence implementation, cross-functional projects and cross-site initiatives in an international multi-site setting and 5+ years’ experience as certified black belt with proven track record of driving black belt projects, training and coaching green belts, ideally in similar industry
• digital transformation experience from strategy to implementation, with solid technical knowledge
• pronounced structured and conceptual problem-solving combined with strategic and entrepreneurial thinking
• “bridge builder” mentality with a passion for connecting and empowering people, wholehearted team worker
• target-focused, reliable and persistent method of working when dealing with obstacles
• excellent communicator from shop floor to senior management with outstanding presentation and facilitation skills
• ability to self-reflect and strong willingness to further develop yourself
• ability to quickly acquire comprehensive knowledge of technical production, maintenance and quality processes
• leadership experience, as a lateral and/or disciplinary leader, and experience in benchmarking are advantageous
• business English skills; German, Bulgarian or other language of Aurubis network beneficial
• travel up to 50 % in compliance with the current Aurubis travel guidelines

Your Benefits

• Working in a forward-looking industry and for a sustainable future: our metals are essential for megatrends such as digitalization and the energy transition.
• More than fair pay: thanks to the chemical industry pay scale, you can count on a top salary.
• We also offer you a company pension scheme and performance-related pay.
• Combine your professional and private life through mobile and flexible working within Germany.
• Relaxation is important to us! With us you get 30 days of vacation.
• Benefit from our company health promotion program. We have a company doctor on site and our preventive health check-ups, vaccinations and physiotherapy services ensure that you stay fit.
• With Hansefit, the most diverse company sports network in Germany, we offer you access to thousands of sports and health facilities - be it a gym, a sports course or a sauna. Aurubis subsidizes the Hansefit membership.
• Enjoy a variety of meals in one of our two company canteens.
• We accompany and support you in your professional and personal development. Take advantage of our digital Learning Academy and benefit from a wide range of offers.
• Your future is a fixed part of our program: in regular employee appraisals, we determine your next steps together.
• Our mobility services keep you on the move: JobRad, Deutschlandticket, a StadtRad station right outside our door and bicycle boxes at the Veddel S-Bahn station.
• We offer you support in finding accommodation: Aurubis AG has a large number of apartments in Hamburg districts such as Winterhude, Harvestehude, Rothenbaum, Uhlenhorst and Alsterdorf. Future and current Aurubis employees have priority when renting and do not have to pay a deposit during their employment.

Interested?

If you are eager to contribute your skills in a technical environment and drive continuous improvement within Aurubis, we look forward to receiving your application. We value diverse profiles and encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all requirements. Together with you, we aim to make a positive impact on the future of the raw materials industry.

You can apply in just a few minutes and upload your CV. A streamlined process and prompt feedback are important to us, so we will get back to you shortly after reviewing your documents. If we are convinced by your application, we will invite you to a video interview via MS Teams. This will be followed by a personal interview at our premises and a final third virtual or personal interview. If both sides agree, you will receive a contract offer from us and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.

What does Aurubis stand for? Take a look here!

Aurubis is an employer that stands for diversity and equal opportunity. Employment decisions are made regardless of national or ethnic origin, religion and belief, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical impairment and social origin or any other legally protected characteristics of an individual.