Manager Improvement Team

Location: Hengelo, Netherlands

About the Improvement team

The Improvement team is part of the Integrated Quality & Performance Improvement organization within Thales Netherland. The focus of the Improvement team is on structurally solving complex end-to-end issues across organizational functions and disciplines by deploying best practices and fixing the basics. The ambition is to fix root causes instead of fighting the symptoms of sub-optimal performance. In addition, we focus on behavioral change and leadership to ensure sustainable change. We use an outside-in approach by bringing customer focus and embracing industry best practices/standards.

The improvement team has several fields of expertise, such as program/project management for large Improvement Initiatives, change management, quality, Lean and Business Process Management (PLM & ERP).

For the IQ&PI team of Thales Netherlands, we are looking for a manager which leads Improvement Team.

About your future job:

If you step in the role of our Manager Improvement Team, you will have an essential role in understanding, improving and optimizing our Processes. Your dynamic job activities comprise among others:

• Manage and contribute to build the Improvement Team (~15 people) on a daily basis
• You are responsible for maintaining the relations and the stakeholder network within Thales Netherlands (TNL) and Thales Group Improvement Initiatives
• You define/propose and coordinate/execute the yearly improvement agenda for TNL in coordination with TNL Operations and/or the TNL Management Team. You will align agenda with Thales group and the Global Strategy
• You perform discipline (e.g. Bids, Projects, Procurement, Engineering, Industry, Services) overarching improvements with your team and secure planning/execution of the improvement activities
• You identify & prioritize improvements opportunities from operational needs, Customer and Quality input with focus on our process and working methods and find the right balance between short term and long-term initiatives.
• Foster Thales Leadership and Change Management in TNL through the TMT-program
• Coordinate Continuous Improvement based on sound Root Cause Analysis and Implementation of Routines
• Maintain as Process Owner of the Improvement Process
• Report on KPI’s, assess trends and steer on results
• As Improvement you represent the Improvement Team in the Thales Netherlands IQ&PI-meetings.

Why you will be a good match:

• A completed HBO or WO education related to Business Administration or Technology
• Profound interest in Continuous Improvement, Lean, ERP and PLM principles and deployment
• Professional experience in High Tech Processes and Problem-Solving techniques is considered as a plus
• You have a pragmatical and performance-oriented mindset
• Strong communicator in Dutch and English
• You are able to tune your message to your audience. This can be on every level from manufacturing operator to director. You are able to engage people in continuous improvement and change processes
• You are a true people manager and you enjoy getting results through cooperation
• You will continue until you achieve results and you will be resilient at setbacks
• Ability to work in a dynamic, multi-national environment in which you engage with many stakeholders, create (quality) awareness and dare to challenge the status quo (process, product and even organization). You are convinced that providing and dealing with feedback is an important aspect to drive change.

What's in it for you

A challenging job in a great team within our high-tech, innovative work environment. Includes the freedom for initiative and good ideas.

Room for personal and professional growth within our organization, for example in regards to technical, commercial or international skills.

Valuable international collaboration with coworkers from 68 different countries around the globe.

A comfortable work space in a modern environment, with a focus on flexibility and the right work life balance.

You can usually work where and when you want to be able to do your work as well and efficiently as possible. Within Thales we implement hybrid working, where you can, for example, work from home two days a week if your role allows it.

A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade days off for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs.

40 days off per year (PTO).

Diversiteitsstatement

We find that your job should support the right work/life balance and be the platform to realize YOUR ambitions. That means that equal opportunities, inclusivity and an informal culture are an essential part of our success. But also that your health and happiness are very important to us! That is why we offer you the flexibility to do what is important for you; whether that is working part-time, or working from home, or the possibility to be flexible in your start and end times, we will think along with you.

Security Requirements

In line with the basic security requirements of Thales, we may ask candidates for proof of identity, work permit and employment and education history. Some vacancies also require a security clearance that requires further information. For more information about what is needed for certain security clearances, please consult the General Intelligence and Security Service.

Anoek | Trainee

“Bij Thales krijg ik alle kansen en de ruimte om mijzelf verder te ontwikkelen, en dat als onderdeel van allerlei gave processen en projecten binnen de organisatie!”

Maurits | Cyber Engineer

“Wat het voor mij aantrekkelijk maakt om hier te werken, is de diversiteit in opdrachten en het werken in verschillende teams met diverse disciplines. Zo blijf je jezelf ontwikkelen binnen het cyberdomein.”