Manager, Operations Excellence

About the Role

The Manager, Operations Excellence is a high-impact, strategic role reporting to the Operations Excellence Lead within HARMAN Automotive Operations. This position is responsible for designing, leading, and implementing transformational and organizational development projects that drive HARMAN's operational strategy and impact across Automotive Operations. With a global mandate, the role shapes and drives key initiatives in operational improvement, organizational alignment, and performance management, working closely with cross-functional teams to create lasting value.

As a trusted partner to senior leadership, this role leads initiatives that influence the performance and growth of the broader Automotive Operations team and contributes significantly to achieving company-wide efficiency, agility, and excellence objectives.

Your Team

The Manager, Operations Excellence will lead cross-functional project teams across Automotive Operations, working collaboratively with leaders in Manufacturing, Procurement & BCA, and Supply Chain Management to ensure seamless project execution and alignment with HARMAN's strategic objectives.

The role requires extensive interaction with senior leaders within & outside the Automotive Operations and capabilities to work in a complex matrix organization serving multiple stakeholders & interests.

What You Will Do

1. Operations Strategy Development and Execution

• Lead the identification and implementation of high-impact strategic initiatives that drive operational efficiency and alignment across Manufacturing, Procurement & BCA, and SCM to enable the defined functional strategies & targets:
  • Manufacturing: 2% operating costs of HARMAN Automotive Sales of $15B, 5% YoY efficiency achievement on operating costs, benchmark in Manufacturing, Safety, Sustainability, Quality
  • Procurement & BCA: 6,5% YoY Material Cost reduction on $4B Automotive Material Spend, product costs delivered at should cost, category strategies driving strategic division choices.
  • SCM: Stable demand & supply planning and execution, benchmark Inventory targets improving cash flow
• Collaborate closely with the Operations Excellence Lead to translate overarching strategic goals into actionable project plans, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Drive organizational development and change initiatives that support HARMAN's global operational strategy, including capability building, process optimization, and efficiency improvement.

2. Organizational Development and Transformation

• Lead transformational projects and initiatives focused on enhancing operational performance, workforce capabilities, and organizational resilience within Automotive Operations.
• Oversee initiatives that impact ~12,000 FTEs, working to improve operational standards, productivity, and cross-functional alignment.
• Develop and implement change management strategies to support operational improvements and foster an innovative, collaborative, and efficient working culture.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Executive Alignment

• Work closely with senior management and cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment, facilitate decision-making, and ensure stakeholder engagement throughout project lifecycles.
• Represent Automotive Operations Excellence in executive discussions, providing insights on project progress, organizational impact, and strategic alignment.
• Act as a change ambassador, effectively communicating the vision, goals, and progress of strategic initiatives to drive stakeholder buy-in.

4. Performance Standards and Continuous Improvement

• Establish and maintain high-performance benchmarks across project initiatives, ensuring HARMAN's commitment to operational excellence and best practices.
• Identify improvement areas and efficiency enhancements that align with industry standards, leveraging data and insights to refine operations strategy continuously.
• Drive the development and deployment of performance metrics, tracking progress and providing regular updates to executive leadership.

What You Need

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. An advanced degree (MBA or Master's) is preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in operations, organizational development, or strategy within a global organization, with a proven record of implementing high-impact change initiatives in a complex, matrixed environment
• Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated experience in driving strategic projects that impact cross-functional teams, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Project Management: Expertise in leading large-scale projects and organizational initiatives, with a focus on operational efficiency, change management, and process improvement.
• Stakeholder Influence: Proven ability to influence and align senior-level stakeholders, foster collaboration, and manage complex project dynamics.
• Analytical Skills: Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills, with experience using data-driven insights to drive decisions and project outcomes.
• Change Management: Solid understanding of change management methodologies and experience in implementing successful change initiatives.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to executive leadership.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25% domestic and international
• Be willing to work in a office in Novi, MI (Hybrid)

What We Offer

• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development