Head of Operational Excellence

Whether it's the unique breadth of our integrated offering that covers Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology products; or our commitment to recognizing and rewarding people for the contribution they make - working here isn't like anywhere else.

At Galderma, we actively give our teams reasons to believe in our ambition to become the leading dermatology company in the world. With us, you have the ultimate opportunity to gain new and challenging work experiences and create an unparalleled, direct impact.

Head of Operational Excellence – Uppsala, Sweden

Drive transformation. Enable excellence. Shape the future of manufacturing at Galderma.

At Galderma, we are on an exciting journey to transform our Uppsala site into a mature, high-performing and problem-solving organization. We are now looking for a Head of Operational Excellence to lead this transformation and embed a culture of cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision-making, operational discipline and accountability, and continuous performance improvement.

This is a highly visible, strategic role with significant impact across the full value stream, requiring both hands-on leadership and the ability to lead and influence at all levels of the organization.

The Role

As Head of Operational Excellence, you will be at the forefront of driving and sustaining transformational change. You will strengthen organizational capabilities and optimize performance across our end-to-end manufacturing value streams.

You will play a key role in shaping how we work, embedding Lean, Six Sigma, and Manufacturing Excellence principles into everyday operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy deployment program at the site, e.g. using Hoshin Kanri
• Transform the Uppsala site into a mature, continuous improvement and effective problem-solving organization
• Drive and execute large, complex Lean and Six Sigma projects with measurable business impact
• Embed a culture of data-driven decision making through statistical and analytical approaches
• Develop and deliver training, coaching, and methodologies to build organizational capability
• Optimize interconnected manufacturing systems, including workflows, logistics, and production processes
• Implement best practices to maximize utilization of production facilities and personnel
• Prepare and present insights, recommendations, and strategies to senior leadership and key decision forums

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead the local Operational Excellence Team through guidance, structure and coaching
• As a Lean expert and member of the Site Leadership Team, coach leaders to adopt new, efficient ways of working and continuous improvement principles

• As a member of the Global OpEx network, support the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Operational Excellence frameworks

• Build strong, cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Influence and drive change through structured and effective change management practices
• Provide expert guidance to managers and employees across the organization

Your Profile

You are an experienced Operational Excellence leader and recognized subject matter expert, with a strong ability to navigate complexity and drive sustainable results.

We believe you bring:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Operational Excellence, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar disciplines
• Solid line management and leadership team experience
• Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Background in manufacturing, supply chain, and/or engineering within a global organization
• Experience from pharmaceutical, automotive, or highly cost-focused industries is an advantage
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification (required); Master Black Belt preferred
• Proficiency in statistical tools such as Minitab, JMP, or equivalent
• Proven track record of leading large-scale transformation and improvement initiatives
• Experience in training, coaching, and capability building within Lean/Six Sigma frameworks
• Excellent collaboration and interpersonal capabilities

What We Offer

At Galderma, you will be part of a purpose-driven company with a strong global presence and a commitment to innovation and excellence. This role offers:

• A strategic leadership position with real impact on site performance and culture
• The opportunity to lead a major transformation journey
• A collaborative, international environment
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• A flexible working setup with primarily on-site presence in Uppsala and the possibility to work from home one day per week when needed

Location

Uppsala, Sweden
This role is primarily on-site, with some flexibility to exceptionally work remotely one day per week

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are passionate about driving transformation, developing people, and delivering measurable results, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us build a world-class Operational Excellence culture at Galderma.