Global Practice Lead – Continuous Improvement

Create a better future Do you want to make a difference in the world and contribute to a sustainable future? We believe we can develop technology and gain the knowledge to make that difference. We have launched our ambition, Mission Zero – enabling our customers to move towards zero emissions in mining We need your leadership skills, curiosity, and drive for change to fulfil our goal. Together, we enable our customers to produce the materials needed for a better future. Global Practice Lead – Continuous Improvement & Process Intelligence We are seeking a thoughtful and highly experienced Continuous Improvement leader to shape how operational excellence is delivered across the enterprise. This role brings together proven Lean methodologies, Process Mining, automation and practical AI applications to simplify work, remove structural waste and deliver measurable business value. While operational teams focus on daily execution, you will create the improvement system that helps the business understand why recurring delays, rework and manual workarounds occur. You will convert operational experience and process evidence into focused interventions that improve productivity, quality, service, working capital and cost performance. The mission extends beyond individual improvement projects. You will build an enterprise capability that moves the business from reactive firefighting to proactive execution, converts local successes into common standards and develops the specialist talent required to sustain continuous improvement and AI-enabled transformation. Essential Functions & Key Result Areas (KRAs) Create the Improvement System: Enterprise CI & AI Governance (30%)
• Enterprise Improvement Architecture: Own the Continuous Improvement framework, governance model and improvement portfolio. Integrate Lean, Kaizen, Process Mining, automation and practical AI into a common system for identifying, prioritising and delivering improvement opportunities based on business value.
• Outputs: Enterprise CI Governance Handbook, portfolio prioritisation model, benefit-validation framework, Process Mining roadmap, improvement methodology standards and central opportunity portfolio. Deliver Measurable Business Value: Operational Transformation (25%)
• Value-Led Improvement: Lead cross-functional initiatives that address recurring delays, process variation, rework, manual activity and structural inefficiencies. Ensure teams move beyond symptoms, identify root causes and deliver measurable operational and financial outcomes.
• Outputs: Approved improvement charters, root-cause assessments, future-state process designs, implementation roadmaps, corrective-action records, validated benefits reports and confirmed P&L savings. Scale What Works: Process Intelligence, Automation & AI (20%)
• AI-Enabled Improvement at Scale: Use Process Mining, operational data and AI-enabled tools to expose hidden waste, identify emerging constraints and guide automation opportunities. Translate proven local improvements into scalable digital processes and common enterprise standards.
• Outputs: Process opportunity heatmaps, automation business cases, predictive intervention models, scalable process standards, portfolio value reports and global deployment plans. Shape Leadership Decisions: Portfolio Steering & Business Alignment (15%)
• Decision-Ready Improvement Leadership: Translate complex process findings into clear business choices, financial implications, delivery risks and recommended actions. Use governance forums to align priorities, remove barriers and maintain accountability for value delivery.
• Outputs: SteerCo packs, decision papers, portfolio health reviews, value-realisation updates, risk escalations and management action trackers. Build Future Capability: Talent, Culture & Succession (10%)
• Specialist Capability Leadership: Develop CI Specialists, Lean Engineers and Process Mining Analysts while building broader confidence in Lean, automation and AI-enabled improvement. Establish succession plans and create a community that shares knowledge and scales proven practices.
• Outputs: Capability framework, role-based learning paths, coaching plans, certification roadmap, specialist development plans, succession pipeline and reusable knowledge library. Parameters for Success
• Business Value: Validated financial and operational benefits delivered through the improvement portfolio.
• Process Performance: Measurable reduction in delays, rework, process variation, manual work and avoidable complexity.
• Digital Enablement: Adoption of Process Mining, automation and AI-enabled improvement solutions.
• Enterprise Scale: Proven improvements translated into repeatable standards and adopted across functions and regions.
• Capability Strength: A strong specialist team, visible succession pipeline and growing improvement maturity across the business. Qualifications & Skills Education
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline. Experience
• Minimum 15-20 years of experience in supply chain operations, manufacturing, Operational Excellence or enterprise transformation.
• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional improvement programmes under a global mandate.
• Demonstrated delivery of measurable productivity, quality, service and financial improvements.
• Experience integrating Process Mining, automation, analytics or AI into Continuous Improvement practices. Technical & Certifications
• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt required.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Kaizen, DMAIC, process control and benefits validation.
• Strong working knowledge of Process Mining, automation and AI-enabled improvement tools.
• Understanding of enterprise platforms such as EPICOR, Coupa, D365 or equivalent systems. Personal Capabilities
• Strong business judgement and practical leadership.
• Clear executive communication and constructive influence.
• Ability to simplify complexity and convert evidence into action.
• Confidence to uphold enterprise standards while building collaborative relationships.
• Strong coaching, talent development and succession-planning capability.

What we offer
• A global and inclusive workplace focused on sustainability and innovation
• Work-life balance with a flexible work schedule so you can focus on professional and personal priorities
• Competitive benefit package including Health Insurance, Personal Accident / Disability, Group Term Life Insurance, Annual health check-up, and voluntary insurance options As an equal opportunity employer, FLSmidth embraces diversity and equality by promoting an environment of inclusion. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply
- the more diverse our employees are, the stronger our team is. In our commitment to equal opportunity and eliminating bias, we kindly request that you exclude personal information such as age, ethnicity, marital status, number of children, and photographs from your application materials FLSmidth is a full flowsheet technology and service supplier to the global mining industries. We help our customers to improve performance, lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact. – for more information please visit https://fls.com/en

We offer
all employees access to a dedicated recognition platform, empowering you to celebrate achievements, share appreciation and stay connected globally. The world needs more minerals, and they are becoming harder to produce. FLS works alongside mining companies as their performance partner, helping them increase output, improve recovery and maximise uptime. Through full flowsheet technologies, aftermarket services and digital solutions, we improve productivity while reducing energy and water consumption, enabling more sustainable mining operations. www.fls.com