Overview

The Transformation Manager is a strategic, impact-focused transformation leader responsible for driving end-to-end plant transformation across the network, as part of a transformation team or independently.

Acting as the primary owner of transformation workstreams, the Transformation Manager conducts hypothesis-driven diagnostics, translates opportunities into quantified value roadmaps, mobilizes cross-functional teams, does structured problem solving, does change management and hands-on disciplined execution, and ensures measurable and sustainable performance improvement. The role combines strong Transformational and Continuous Improvement expertise, change management capability, and disciplined execution to deliver step-change improvements in cost, productivity, service, quality, and operational stability while embedding the Trivium Business System (TBS).

The Lead Transformation Manager typically travels up to 80% of working time, within their region (Europe or Americas).

Driving Impact

• Supporting plants in improving EBITDA through concrete projects on plant level by:
  • Improving OEE and reducing spoilage
  • Gaining control of maintenance, supply chain and quality cost through structured processes
  • Identifying waste within the plant processes and providing support/coaching to improve
• Conducting all steps of project delivery, with support from the lead transformation manager:
  • Conducting diagnostics to identify potential through data analysis, observations, simulation, interviews
  • Leading bottom-up project planning to ensure ownership at plant level of the improvement projects
  • Leading implementation projects with multidisciplinary teams
  • Leading value assurance to connect projects to operational KPIs and P&L impact
  • Embedding a culture and structure of continuous improvement in a plant

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Plant Diagnostics & Value Identification

• Conduct cost deployment analysis to identify and quantify performance gaps across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and manpower, through OEE analysis and workshops, spoilage reduction analysis, structured shop-floor observations to identify waste and improvement opportunities, VSM workshops, etc.
• Use advanced analytics and AI tools to accelerate data gathering, root cause identification, and opportunity sizing.
• Translate findings into clear, prioritised projects with quantified EBITDA, cash, service, quality, and productivity impact, supported by fact-based recommendations and leadership-ready storylines.

Project Leadership & Delivery Ownership

• Lead end-to-end delivery of transformation projects with the ownership, pace, and problem-solving discipline expected of a top-tier consultant.
• Structure ambiguous operational challenges into clear workstreams, define milestones, owners, and value targets, and maintain disciplined execution cadence through daily, weekly, and steering-level routines.
• Lead cross-functional teams and act as the primary interface for site leadership, synthesising multiple workstreams into a clear transformation narrative, decision agenda, and action plan.

Change Management & Adoption

• Design and lead the change management approach for each transformation, ensuring alignment, engagement, and adoption across plant leadership, frontline teams, and support functions.
• Identify stakeholder risks, resistance points, and capability gaps, and convert them into targeted interventions, communication plans, coaching routines, and reinforcement mechanisms.
• Ensure improvements are embedded into standard work, management routines, KPIs, and accountability structures so that benefits are sustained after the transformation team exits.

Stakeholder & Governance Leadership

• Establish performance tracking that links actions to financial results, ensuring alignment between diagnostics, improvement plans, and ongoing performance reviews.
• Influence and challenge senior stakeholders constructively, using data, operational insight, and clear recommendations to drive bold decisions and sustained delivery focus.

Trivium Business System (TBS) Standardisation & Deployment

• Drive consistent implementation of TBS and Continuous Improvement standards across sites, including daily management, problem solving, loss elimination, standard work, and performance governance.
• Eliminate variability through standardised tools, routines, and governance while scaling best practices across the network and reinforcing a CI mindset in plant teams.

Capability Building & Coaching

• Develop self-sufficient plant teams through coaching, structured training, and peer learning.
• Build long-term capability to sustain and scale improvements.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Strong manufacturing operations, operational excellence, or industrial transformation experience, with proven delivery of measurable performance and financial impact.
• Top-tier consulting or equivalent internal transformation experience, ideally at Junior Manager or Engagement Manager level, with demonstrated ability to lead complex operational programs.
• Experience and affinity with 2-3 cutting edge trends in operations, e.g. agentic AI, advanced analytics, systems thinking, digital twin and simulation, robotics, process mining, etc.
• Advanced structured problem-solving capability, including hypothesis-led diagnostics, root cause analysis, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, value stream improvement, or equivalent CI methodologies.
• Strong data literacy and analytical skills, including the ability to build fact bases, size opportunities, track benefits, and use digital and AI tools to accelerate insight generation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, change leadership, and communication skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge, and coach senior leaders and frontline teams. Ability to work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving towards clarity and solutions
• Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to corporate mission