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

Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Sulzer

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global service development and enhance operational excellence across all WIBU sites.
  • Company: Sulzer, a leading engineering company with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: High global visibility, strong development pathways, and the chance to drive real impact.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to sustainability and operational excellence.
  • 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.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 operations. 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 employer: Sulzer

Sulzer is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work environment where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to broad development pathways and the opportunity to shape global processes in a high-visibility role. Join us in our European Operations to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Sulzer

Contact Detail:

Sulzer Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

✨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 experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for the Head Operational Development role. Keep it concise and impactful to grab their attention.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.

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

Business Process Development
Digital Tool Adoption
Operational Excellence
Training Development
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
ERP Platforms
CRM Platforms
Field Service Operations
Change Management
Data Visualization
KPI Frameworks
Global Matrix Organisation Experience
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head Operational Development. Highlight your experience in aftermarket and spare parts, and don’t forget to mention any relevant digital tools you've worked with!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about operational excellence and how your skills align with our mission at Sulzer. Keep it engaging and personal.

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive growth and improve processes. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

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 they align with the global service operations. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also gives you a chance to assess if the company culture and goals match your career aspirations.

✨Practice Your Communication Skills

Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend or mentor to refine your delivery and ensure you can effectively convey your ideas during the actual interview.

Head Operational Development - Water and Industrial Service
Sulzer

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