Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service in Crawley
Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service

Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service in Crawley

Crawley Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Sulzer

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global service development and enhance operational excellence across all WIBU sites.
  • Company: Sulzer, a leading engineering company focused on innovation and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Global visibility, strong development pathways, and the chance to drive real impact.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of service capabilities in a dynamic, global environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Business or Engineering; experience in aftermarket and digital tools.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role

Job Purpose: Drive global growth and profitability by enhancing the service and spare parts offering, building operational maturity, and enabling excellence across all WIBU service. As a key member of the Water and Industrial Global Service & Aftermarket Team, you will lead the development, standardization, and continuous improvement of global service and spare parts processes across all WIBU sites. This high-visibility role combines business process ownership, IT development, training, operational maturity building, and governance, ensuring aligned, efficient, and high-performing service operations worldwide. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape global standards and have a real impact on the future of Sulzer’s service capabilities. This role can be based at any of our European Operations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own and continuously improve global service and spare parts business processes, ensuring standardization and operational excellence across all WIBU sites.
  • Drive the development and adoption of digital tools and applications (including Salesforce Field Service) to enhance efficiency, alignment, and overall service performance.
  • Develop and deliver global training programs to build capability, ensure consistent onboarding, and support strong process and tool adoption across the network.
  • Support sites in operational maturity and performance improvement, acting as a key point of contact for guidance on processes, tools, and operational challenges.
  • Represent WIBU Global Service in strategic initiatives, ensuring service and spare parts operational needs are included in WIBU, Flow, and corporate-wide projects.
  • Enhance operational reporting and KPI frameworks, enabling structured data collection, visualization, and data-driven decision-making, while supporting compliance with global standards.

Experience & Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field.
  • Proven experience in aftermarket/spare parts, ideally in industrial or water markets.
  • Experience with ERP, CRM, and digital commerce platforms.
  • Demonstrated capability in business process development, digital adoption, and operational excellence.
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a global matrix organization.
  • Fluent English; additional languages are an advantage.
  • Experience in field service operations or field service software.
  • Background in training development, change management, or IT rollout projects.

What we offer you

  • High global visibility across our rapidly growing Water and Industrial BU and Sulzer.
  • A genuine opportunity to drive impact and transformation.
  • Ownership of global processes, systems, and capability development.
  • Broad exposure and strong development pathways.
  • Opportunity to shape uncharted operational areas.

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment. We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.

Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service in Crawley employer: Sulzer

Sulzer is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity, providing employees with the opportunity to drive impactful change within the Water and Industrial Service sector. With a commitment to professional growth, employees benefit from global visibility, strong development pathways, and the chance to shape operational excellence across diverse locations in Europe. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and empowers you to make a meaningful contribution to a sustainable future.
Sulzer

Contact Detail:

Sulzer Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service in Crawley

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your experience in operational development and how it relates to the water and industrial service sectors.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service in Crawley

Business Process Development
Digital Tool Adoption
Operational Excellence
Training Development
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
ERP Platforms
CRM Platforms
Field Service Operations
Change Management
Data-Driven Decision-Making
KPI Frameworks
Global Matrix Organisation Experience
Communication Skills
Operational Maturity Building

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Operational Development role. Highlight your experience in aftermarket and spare parts, as well as any relevant digital tools you've worked with. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can drive impact at Sulzer. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past achievements that relate to operational excellence.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves stakeholder management, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Whether it's in your CV or cover letter, make sure to highlight instances where you've effectively communicated complex ideas or led training sessions.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you receive updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sulzer

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Head Operational Development and the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with Sulzer's service offerings, especially in the water and industrial sectors, so you can speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your expertise in business process development, digital adoption, and operational excellence. Highlight any relevant experience with ERP, CRM, or field service software, as these are crucial for the position.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company's strategic initiatives and how you can contribute to them. Inquire about their current challenges in service operations or how they envision the future of their global service capabilities.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading training programs and supporting operational maturity, be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and manage stakeholders across a global matrix organisation.

Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service in Crawley
Sulzer
Location: Crawley

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