Head of Operational Excellence - IMEA

Head of Operational Excellence – IMEA - UAE, Africa OR India

Shape the future of operations at Maersk across IMEA.

Maersk is on a bold journey to become the global integrator of logistics – driving simplification, integration, and innovation in service of our customers. Central to this transformation is The Maersk Way (TMW) – our global operating system for embedding excellence consistently across our operations.

We are now hiring a Head of Operational Excellence – IMEA to lead the deployment of TMW across this diverse and dynamic region. This role is strategically significant and instrumental in ensuring sustainable performance, high standards, and a deeply embedded culture of continuous improvement throughout IMEA.

The Role

As the Regional Head of Operational Excellence for IMEA, you will:

• Translate global TMW frameworks into actionable, locally relevant plans tailored to IMEA’s regional complexity and diversity.
• Lead the deployment of key operational excellence tools and routines (e.g., daily management systems, problem-solving, visual management).
• Partner with senior regional leaders to facilitate planning, performance reviews, and robust governance.
• Act as an enterprise integrator and coach – developing operational excellence capabilities at both the leadership and frontline levels.
• Lead and coordinate a matrixed team of OpEx experts and regional ambassadors to drive measurable business outcomes.
• Monitor maturity progression and KPI performance to enable data-informed decision-making and proactive interventions.
• Create a learning environment through structured training, best practice sharing, and feedback-driven improvement loops.
• Act as a key bridge between regional execution and central teams to continuously refine and evolve TMW.
  
  

What You’ll Be Accountable For

• Successful deployment of TMW standards, tools, and practices across IMEA in alignment with global strategies and timelines.
• Capability building and cultural transformation across operations teams at all levels.
• Tangible improvement in KPIs related to customer experience, reliability, safety, and cost.
• Leadership engagement, alignment, and sustained adoption of operational excellence practices.
• Regional contribution to Maersk’s global transformation and maturity journey.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Significant experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement within large, complex, and multi-country operations – ideally across IMEA or similarly diverse regions.
• Proven track record of translating strategic vision into operational execution across cultures and geographies.
• Strong influencing skills across senior leaders and frontline teams in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.
• Advanced programme management and facilitation expertise with comfort in ambiguity and change.
• Data-driven thinker with the ability to deliver both strategy and execution.
• Demonstrated success in developing people and embedding sustainable behavioural and cultural shifts.
• Travel between 50-75% of the time
  
  

Why Join Maersk?

At Maersk, we’re transforming global logistics with purpose and ambition. We believe lasting change is created by people who are passionate about better ways of working and empowered to make a real difference. This role puts you at the centre of operational excellence across one of our most dynamic regions – IMEA.

If you’re ready to lead transformation at scale, drive impact through operational excellence, and shape the way we work across IMEA — we look forward to hearing from you.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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