Regional Continuous Improvement Leader - Europe and Chennai

Business Unit: MAES Division: Packaging & Board Assembly - Polymer, Protection

The Regional Leader of Continuous Improvement (CI) will serve as the strategic and operational leader responsible for embedding a world‑class culture of continuous improvement and Lean transformation across all European and Chennai manufacturing and supply chain operations. This position leads the CI leaders at our regional locations, ensuring alignment of strategies, methodologies, and results. The Regional CI Leader will drive measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, delivery, and employee engagement across all regions. This role reports directly to the Director – Global Continuous Improvement – MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions (MAES) and partners closely with regional operations and supply chain leadership to deliver sustainable performance improvements.

What will you be doing?

• Strategy & Leadership
  • Execute the Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with MAES business objectives.
  • Lead and develop site CI leaders to ensure consistent deployment and measurable results.
  • Establish LEAN CI governance standards, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics.
  • Partner across MAES with Commercial, Business, Operations, Supply Chain, and EHS teams to integrate CI into all business processes and decision‑making systems.
• Operational Excellence
  • Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs at sites to optimize efficiency and quality.
  • Lead enterprise‑wide Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen, and Gemba initiatives focused on waste elimination and process improvement.
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams to enhance flow, on‑time delivery, and cost effectiveness driving improved performance.
  • Embed CI principles into daily management systems and visual performance boards across sites.
• Capability Development
  • Build and sustain a CI community of practice, fostering collaboration and best‑practice sharing across regions to impact MAES culture involving everyone.
  • Design and deliver CI training programs to upskill employees at all levels ensuring training, practice and results are intrinsically linked.
  • Identify and mentor high‑potential CI talent, ensuring succession depth and continuity.
• Performance & Transformation
  • Deliver measurable productivity, cost, and quality improvements that support corporate objectives with MOS integrated into financial reporting.
  • Promote a continuous improvement mindset throughout all levels of the organization, empowering employees to identify and solve problems daily.

Who are You?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain or related field (master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean, or Operational Excellence roles, with global or multi‑region scope.
• Proven record of leading CI strategies across business, manufacturing and supply chain environments impacting culture from senior leaders to shop floor.
• Advanced training/certification in continuous improvement, ie Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt, is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and change management expertise.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across diverse cultures and organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quantifiable operational and cultural improvements.

What competencies will you need?

• Strategic global thinker with executional discipline.
• Collaborative and influential leader across regions and functions.
• Data‑driven, decisive, and results‑oriented.
• Agile and culturally attuned, with a passion for developing people and teams.
• High tolerance for ambiguity and the ability to collaborate effectively towards common objectives.
• Inspires engagement and a strong CI culture through high Say/Do.

We are Offering...

• Challenge Yourself and Impact the Future - as part of our team here, as well as receiving a competitive base salary, you will also participate in a generous performance related bonus scheme. In addition, you will also receive a company pension, life assurance, a health cash plan, and training and development, as well as 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
• Career Growth - we provide a challenging, but rewarding experience to our people - you will have an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute from your very first day. Our teams play an important role enabling technological breakthroughs in high growth industries around the world. We continuously invest in technologies and extensive learning and development tools which provide opportunities to challenge, develop and nurture your career.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category applicable under federal, state and local laws.