Head of Manufacturing, Villeret

The Head of Manufacturing at the Villeret Straumann production site is responsible for overseeing all production departments. As a first step she/he will take charge of the finishing department (350 talents), including surface treatment, assembly operations, visual inspections, and packaging, with a flow-oriented approach. This first stage will allow her/him to become familiar with the site. After some time, her/his scope will be expanded to include CNC production (450 talents). This role ensures that operations are executed in a customer-focused, efficient, and compliant manner. The Head of Manufacturing drives continuous improvement initiatives impacting more than 800 talents, including end-to-end manufacturing processes, on a site that operates partially 24/7. This role collaborates on lean and digital transformations and supports product and process innovations across these departments. A critical aspect of this role is driving transformative changes to support the significant growth trajectory of the Straumann Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer Focus: Strengthen collaboration with the relevant business units and commercial teams to meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Transformation for Growth: Lead transformative changes in manufacturing processes and operations to align with and support the substantial growth of the Straumann Group.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain full compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), Quality, and Business Ethics standards in partnership with relevant business units.
• ESG Commitment: Drive actions to support Straumann’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments within the manufacturing departments.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure reliable and compliant daily execution of manufacturing and supply chain operations across all departments, with an end-to-end approach from CNC production to final packaging.
• Process Improvement: Work with Global Process and Technology teams to standardize equipment and drive process innovation across the manufacturing departments.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement a Masterplan for the manufacturing departments, including designing the workflow, planning investments, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Innovation Support: Collaborate with the relevant business units to deliver product innovations on time and develop new product offerings.
• Digital Transformation: Develop and execute a digital transformation roadmap for the manufacturing departments in collaboration with the Operations IT Business partner and other stakeholders.
• Talent Development: Foster talent and capability growth within the manufacturing departments and lead the Lean and Culture journey.
• Strategic Training Plan: Ensure a strategic training plan in close collaboration with a future training center to develop an agile approach by creating a training plan for experts who can rotate within the plant to address current needs.
• Leadership Development: Inspire and develop strong leaders within the manufacturing departments.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in science, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, or equivalent experience demonstrating entrepreneurship and leadership in manufacturing.
• 15+ years of experience in related fields.
• Proven experience managing global transformations with a strong focus on digital flow and customer satisfaction.
• Deep business acumen and understanding of manufacturing and operations constraints, and commercial operations.
• Proven experience with Lean methodologies and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong experience with regulated environments.
• Strong experience with manufacturing operation systems (MES, ERP and EHS nd quality systems)
• Fluency in French and English; additional languages are advantageous.
• Extensive global experience working across various geographies and cultures is a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Inspiring Leader: Capable of engaging teams beyond their immediate organization.
• Customer-Centric: Strong commitment to serving customer needs.
• Collaborative: Excellent listening skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Impact-Focused: Pragmatic and results-driven.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Always focused on innovating to meet customer needs.
• Problem Solver: Effective leader in resolving issues and challenges.
• Lifelong Learner: Curious and eager to learn from others.
• Challenging and Supportive: Willing to challenge oneself and others constructively.
• Value-Driven: Respects and upholds the core values of the organization.

This role is pivotal in ensuring that Straumann's manufacturing departments operate efficiently, innovatively, and in alignment with global standards and customer expectations. The Head of Manufacturing at Villeret will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Straumann's products through strategic leadership and operational excellence, overseeing the entire production process from CNC machining to final packaging, driving transformative changes to support the Straumann Group's significant growth, and implementing a strategic training plan to develop an agile and expert workforce.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Employment Type: Full Time

Alternative Locations: Switzerland : Bern || Switzerland : Basel || Switzerland : Villeret

Travel Percentage: 0 - 10%

Requisition ID: 12768