Operations Director - Data & Digitalization - Europe Seating

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Lear, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, enables superior in-vehicle experiences for consumers around the world. Our diverse team of talented employees in 39 countries is driven by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. Lear is Making every drive better™ by providing the technology for safer, smarter, and more comfortable journeys. Lear, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, serves every major automaker in the world and ranks #179 on the Fortune 500. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation.   Lear’s Industry 4.0 Strategy As a global technology leader of automotive Seating and Electrical components operating across over 250 facilities within 37 countries around the world, Lear Corporation is at the forefront of various aspects of technological evolution. Industry 4.0 within Lear Corporation is underpinned through the integration of intelligent digital technologies and analytical systems into manufacturing and industrial processes. Lear Corporation’s industry 4.0 strategy is primarily divided into 2 key operating functions.

Firstly, the successful project management and execution of industry 4.0 initiatives into our manufacturing operations.

Secondly, the digital analysis and data gleaned from visual management systems ensuring Lear takes informed decisions across its wider business maximizing our operational efficiency whilst upholding the highest quality standards ensuring that Lear’s operational and financial objectives can be achieved. 

Job Overview: As a highly strategic and dynamic leader, the Senior Operations Director - Data & Digitalization will spearhead the integration and success of our chosen data analytics and applications platform (Palantir's Foundry) within our operations.

You will be the primary owner and driving force behind the successful implementation and ongoing success of the Foundry Program across the European Seating operations of Lear Corporation.  

This role involves a unique blend of strategic vision, leadership, and technical understanding to navigate the complexities of integrating Foundry's capabilities into our organizational fabric. You will lead several pods of Foundry resources, each delivering different workstreams, and report into the Europe Seating Operations team and a larger, central Foundry organization that sets the overarching strategy and governance. This position plays a crucial role in delivering at the regional level and managing regional stakeholders effectively.  

Main responsibilities:

•   Act as the primary owner and driver of the Foundry Program's success within the Europe region, setting and clearly communicating the vision across the organization.  

•   Establish and maintain a robust feedback loop with senior stakeholders and relevant executives to ensure alignment between the Foundry Program and leadership vision.  

•   Collaborate closely with Platform and Data Governance teams to develop and enforce processes ensuring compliance with governance requirements for use cases.  

•    Set the high-level direction for the program's process and scaling requirements in partnership with the regional and central stakeholders.  

•   Work in tandem with functional leads to assess, prioritize, and make decisions on new use case requests, aligning with the program's overall vision and the organization's strategic objectives.  

•  Serve as a key liaison between the regional teams and the central Foundry organization, ensuring adherence to global guidelines and governance while catering to regional needs and challenges.  

•  For project execution, manage directly and indirectly to ensure that there is a clear business case or operational need for each project. Ensure all standards are adhered to and project timing is adhered to.  

•  Team Development: - Coach the Data Team in best practice and defined standards.  -Identify A players from the Data Team for development potential into Equipment team roles. -  Succession planning within Data Team - Define and manage a comprehensive skills matrix and ensure that there are clear action plans to close any gaps.  

•  Specific targets are to use Data analytics tools to drive a roadmap of savings to support the European Region, including the following primary projects: - Global Cost Database - Cycle Time Deviation - Digital MP&L  

•  In addition to these tasks, other projects and responsibilities may be individually defined  

Key Skills and Qualifications:  

Required: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field Demonstrated leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and direct multidisciplinary teams.

Ability to quickly gain a deep understanding of the organization-wide vision and strategy and translate this into actionable plans for the Foundry Program. A strong background in strategy and effective development of software platforms, preferably with experience in Foundry or similar technologies.

Exceptional communication and motivational skills, capable of engaging with a variety of stakeholders from technical teams to executive leadership. Strong problem-solving skills.

Previous experience in Managing a Team – either a Project Team or a Functional team Structured approach to management  

Preferred:

Master's degree or higher 6σ Black Belt Project Management qualification.

Understanding of Python Coding.

Lear manufacturing experience.

Proficiency in Foundry applications and resources is not necessary but is highly desirable.

Proven experience in leading complex software implementation programs, especially in a multinational and multi-stakeholder environment.

Extensive knowledge of and experience with Palantir Foundry or similar cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Familiarity with the manufacturing industry and its unique challenges and opportunities is a plus.  

As well as an attractive salary we offer:

Group Personal Pension with AVIVA 

Hybrid Working (4+1) (non-contractual)

Core hours working  (non-contractual)

25 days annual leave

Life Cover 3 x Basic Salary (Expression of wishes form required)

AXA PPP Private Medical Insurance

EV Salary Sacrifice