Apm terminals
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position overview:
the lean director for mexico is a senior leadership role responsible for driving and sustaining lean transformation across terminal operations and support functions. Acting as the cornerstone of the operational excellence program, this position blends a hands-on, gemba-driven approach with strategic leadership, capability building, and cultural change.
this leader is not only technically sound in lean but is also passionate about teaching, coaching, and developing people across all levels of the organization — from senior management to frontline job experts. The ideal candidate is a proactive executor, a strong communicator with empathy, humility, and high ethical standards, and someone unafraid to challenge the status quo or lead constructive conflict when it drives growth, collaboration, and accountability.
responsibilities:
1. Strategic lean leadership across operations and support functions
* lead the deployment of the operational excellence program across the entire terminal — covering both operational areas and support functions such as procurement, finance, asset maintenance, commercial, and others.
* design and execute the lean transformation roadmap in alignment with the annual operating plan (aop) and terminal vision.
* align terminal and support leaders to embed a unified lean culture that drives value across the organization.
2. Capability building & culture anchoring
* build internal lean capabilities across all levels: senior leadership, line managers, supervisors, and unionized frontline staff.
* actively teach, mentor, and coach individuals with a vocation to develop others; enable people to learn, experiment, and lead continuous improvement.
* promote a culture of curiosity, psychological safety, humility, and performance, grounded in ethical leadership and care for others.
3. Operational execution & process optimization
* be present at the gemba to engage with teams, identify inefficiencies, and implement lean tools to stabilize and improve processes.
* apply methodologies such as value stream mapping, twi, problem solving (a3), smed, takt time, and standard work to streamline operations and improve throughput.
* lead cross-functional workshops and kaizens to resolve bottlenecks and drive impactful results.
4. Bold and influential leadership
* serve as a trusted advisor and challenger to senior leadership — facilitating constructive conflict, difficult conversations, and mindset shifts when necessary to support growth and accountability.
* be confident in questioning legacy processes, unlocking resistance to change, and inspiring a shared vision of lean maturity.
* guide and model inclusive leadership, developing high-performance teams through example and collaboration.
5. Data-driven insights and visualization
* promote a structured, analytical approach to performance management through the use of kpis, dashboards, and root cause analysis.
* leverage tools like power bi or other visualization platforms to support clear decision-making and transparent tracking.
* drive the standardization and improvement cycles (i-cycles) to reinforce continuous improvement across all areas.
6. Regional and global alignment
* ensure the integration of apmt’s global lean strategies with local initiatives.
* share learnings, best practices, and innovation across the network to accelerate transformation maturity.
* participate in audits, capability assessments, and internal benchmarking.
key skills & attributes:
* native spanish speaker preferred; fluent in both spanish and english
* deep technical expertise in lean methodologies: vsm, sqdc, smed, twi, a3, takt time, standard work
* strong interpersonal and facilitation skills — capable of listening, guiding, and adapting to different learning styles
* high integrity, humility, empathy, and care for people
* courage to challenge and lead through constructive conflict when needed
* data-literate, preferably with power bi or visualization tools experience
* passionate about teaching, learning, and unlocking people’s potential
authority and accountability:
* manage necessary resources based on apmt policies to deliver the products offered by the commercial area.
* authorize additional personnel requests for the gate, offdock, inspection, and rail areas.
* implement corrective actions for staff not adhering to the company’s operational guidelines.
* manage work roles for white-collar staff in the gate, offdock, inspection, and rail areas.
* stop any activity that is not being carried out safely.
* ensure compliance with safety guidelines for the gate, offdock, inspection, and rail areas.
* require corrective actions to address any process, activity, or situation that does not meet the established standards under iso 9001 and iso 14001.
* make immediate decisions in case of emergencies and escalate communication to the coo.
environmental responsibility:
* care for and protect resources consumed or utilized in the workplace (water, electricity, paper, and general consumables).
* ensure compliance with safety and environmental policies and objectives.
* verify and implement compliance with plans for handling hazardous substances, hazardous waste, and special handling processes.
* verify and implement procedures for spill response and management.
* classify urban solid waste in accordance with environmental guidelines.
education:
* bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, industrial operations, or related field (preferred)
* lean six sigma, tpm, or project management certification desirable
* knowledge of iso 9001:2015 and iso 14001:2015 standards
experience
* 5–7+ years of proven lean transformation experience in high-performance industries (automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, etc.)
* demonstrated success implementing lean tools and systems across operational and support environments
* experience managing large-scale change and influencing across hierarchies and cultures
* strong history of coaching, mentoring, and teaching others.
if you've read this far, we're glad to know you're interested in this opportunity. And if you want to use your skills to make a difference, we hope you'll apply for our vacancy. Apply now!
join a world-leading company as we embark on a digital transformation that will define the industry and revolutionize trade.
if you enjoy taking on big challenges, now is the time to join apm terminals!
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maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
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