Overview
The opportunity
The Operations Manager for the Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV) manufacturing line in Wettingen is fully accountable for safe, stable, and predictable production performance. You lead the MOV line end-to-end and ensure consistent delivery across Safety, Quality, Output, Cost, and People. This role combines strong shop-floor leadership with structured, data-driven operations management in a high-reliability industrial environment. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you act as the central operational owner of the MOV line, synchronizing people, processes, and technology while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
* Take full ownership of MOV production performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost
* Lead and develop Shift Leaders and production teams with a strong on-floor presence
* Enforce HSE and quality standards, including compliance with internal, customer, and regulatory requirements
* Act as the final escalation point for major operational, quality, and safety issues
* Drive structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis (e.g. 5-Why, Ishikawa, 8D, FMEA)
* Ensure smooth production flow, material availability, and effective shift handovers
* Collaborate closely with Maintenance and Process Engineering to secure equipment availability and technical stability
* Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, waste reduction, flow optimization) and use KPIs and data to identify losses, improve performance, and support digitalization initiatives (SAP, MES, performance reporting)
Qualifications
* University degree in Ceramics and Material Science, or a comparable field
* Several years of experience in industrial manufacturing operations, ideally in high-volume or high-reliability environments
* Proven leadership experience in production, operations, or quality-driven manufacturing
* Solid knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methods (Green Belt certification is a plus)
* Strong understanding of production processes, industrial equipment, and quality systems
* Confident shop-floor leader with a hands-on yet structured management approach
* Analytical, systematic, and decisive, even under pressure and excellent communication skills across functions and hierarchical levels
* Fluent in German and business-fluent in English
More About Us
Our flexible working practices help you optimize personal and business performance while creating an environment where all employees can develop their skills and grow. Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader in electrification, powering a sustainable energy future through innovative power grid technologies with digital at the core. Over three billion people depend on our technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century in pioneering mission-critical technologies like high-voltage, transformers, automation, and power electronics, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time – balancing soaring electricity demand, while decarbonizing the power system. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 50,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $16 billion USD. We welcome you to apply today.
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