Director of Operational Excellence

This role is with Nanofilm Technologies International, a startup supported by SGInnovate.

Background

Nanofilm, listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange, is a leading provider of nanotechnology solutions in Asia, featuring its own proprietary technologies. Our products and services are integral to the smooth functioning of many technologies and tools essential to modern life. Our solutions serve as key catalysts, enabling our customers to achieve high value-add advancements in their end-products in an environmentally sustainable manner. Founded in 1999 as a high-tech spin-off from Nanyang Technological University, we offer surface solutions based on vacuum deposition, including our proprietary Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc (FCVA) technology. Headquartered in Singapore, the company has over 3,000 employees across Singapore, India, Germany, Japan, China, and Vietnam We aim to achieve technological breakthroughs, redefine the boundaries of material sciences, and develop nanotechnology solutions that enable new end-product possibilities. Our goal is to be a future generation technology-based solutions company, with a vision of our advanced materials and nanoproducts being integrated into the daily lives of consumers worldwide.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a visionary and execution-driven Director of Operational Excellence to lead NTI’s journey toward world-class manufacturing and business process excellence. This role will define and implement the company’s continuous improvement strategy, lead Lean transformation, and drive MES system excellence across global sites.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is expected to be both strategic and hands-on—setting the roadmap, building organizational capabilities, solving bottlenecks, and embedding a sustainable culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

1. Operational Excellence Strategy & Culture

• Define and lead the Operational Excellence roadmap, aligning CI with company strategy.
• Instill a continuous improvement culture using Lean, Kaizen, and 6S methodologies across all levels.
• Serve as a change agent to challenge status quo, eliminate inefficiencies, and foster cross-functional collaboration.

2. MES Excellence & Digital Operations

• Serve as the process owner and subject matter expert (SME) for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) implementation and optimization.
• Drive MES excellence by aligning workflows and data architecture with Lean processes and operational KPIs.
• Lead MES standardization across sites, ensuring real-time visibility into production, traceability, and quality.
• Partner with IT and Operations to ensure seamless MES-ERP integration and long-term scalability.
• Champion MES training, user adoption, and continuous improvement based on system insights.

3. Lean Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement (CI) Leadership

• Lead and deliver high-impact Lean Six Sigma projects across manufacturing and supporting functions, grounded in scientific principles, proven methodologies, and data-driven analysis.
• Establish and sustain Kaizen, 6S, SMED, TPM,VSM, Adon Visual, Kanban systems and waste elimination initiatives using structured, best-practice improvement tools.
• Build internal CI capabilities by coaching and certifying the teams, embedding Lean thinking throughout the organization.
• Drive continuous improvement (CI) using a disciplined, evidence-based approach—leveraging tools, digital technology, and operational insights to achieve measurable improvements in cost, quality, throughput, and productivity.

4. 4M Framework & KPI System Implementation

• Deploy and govern the 4M framework (Materials, Method, Machine, Manpower) through variation control as the foundation for operational analysis.
• Define standardized, tiered KPI dashboards cascading from strategic goals to frontline metrics.
• Establish root cause frameworks and data visibility for continuous performance management.

5. Process Standardization & Problem Solving

• Lead business process mapping, standardization, and operational best practice sharing across sites.
• Champion structured problem-solving using tools such as A3, fishbone, Pareto, and 5-Whys.
• Resolve bottlenecks across production, quality, labor, and equipment availability.

6. Capability Building & Workforce Empowerment

• Build a strong internal CI bench by training, mentoring, and certifying operational staff.
• Empower cross-functional teams to take ownership of improvements and lead change locally.
• Recognize and celebrate CI success stories to reinforce cultural transformation.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• >15 years of progressive experience in operational excellence, CI, and manufacturing leadership.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt required.
• Proven track record of MES implementation, leadership, and optimization.
• Strong knowledge of Lean tools, digital manufacturing, and process analytics.
• Hands-on leader who is equally strategic and execution-focused.
• Proficient in spoken Chinese to facilitate effective communication with Chinese stakeholders
• Comfortable working from office, Monday - Friday